NFLPA Head: "Likelihood of Lockout in 2011 is a "14" on a scale of 1 to 10"

[Donoghus]

If you're a football fan, you're not gonna like this

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith paints a bleak picture of the league's labor situation.

Smith says the likelihood of a lockout after the upcoming season is "14" on a scale of 1 to 10. He notes that the league recently received a $5 billion extension on its network television deals even if no games are played in 2011. He regards that as proof owners are preparing for a lockout.

Smith reiterated the union's demand that the NFL's 32 teams open their books and show who is losing money and how much.

[buellj814]

this is gonna get ugly and it sucks

[Donoghus]

this is gonna get ugly and it sucks

Yup.
 
It looks like next season will be uncapped and, after that, who knows?

The NFL we've grown accustomed to over the past two decades (advent of true free agency) or so might become a fleeting memory. 

[fairweatherfan]

Good - I'm getting some serious schadenfreude over the NFL.  I like football fine but it annoys me to no end that nothing seems to "stick" to that league's reputation, and anything negative vaguely related to the NBA does.  Heck, people were dumping on the NBA for the Vegas All-Star weekend when the only major incident was the Pac-Man Jones strip club shooting.

[Brickowski]

It will get resolved.  There is too much TV money at stake, more than in other sports.

[Donoghus]

It will get resolved.  There is too much TV money at stake, more than in other sports.

Well, it sounds like the league/owners will be alright in the case of a lockout if reports of that extension with the network partners is true.  They'll be getting that money no matter what.

I'm sure some of this is posturing by the players' union to elicit some public reaction (mission accomplished) but it seems that every report you read among the various outlets intimates that there is a serious labor war on the horizon for the NFL.

[Brickowski]

I'm sure the lawyers for the networks have protected their clients in case of a work stoppage.

[Rondo_is_better]

Good - I'm getting some serious schadenfreude over the NFL.  I like football fine but it annoys me to no end that nothing seems to "stick" to that league's reputation, and anything negative vaguely related to the NBA does.  Heck, people were dumping on the NBA for the Vegas All-Star weekend when the only major incident was the Pac-Man Jones strip club shooting.

Its cuz football is a "faceless" sport. The people are covered in pads and helmets and that takes away the personal aspect from the game. the NBA has lots of facial close ups on freethrows, etc. Although I do agree with you - Its annoying.

[angryguy77]

This would be a 14 out of 10 on the suck scale. Thats all I have to say.

[fairweatherfan]

Good - I'm getting some serious schadenfreude over the NFL.  I like football fine but it annoys me to no end that nothing seems to "stick" to that league's reputation, and anything negative vaguely related to the NBA does.  Heck, people were dumping on the NBA for the Vegas All-Star weekend when the only major incident was the Pac-Man Jones strip club shooting.

Its cuz football is a "faceless" sport. The people are covered in pads and helmets and that takes away the personal aspect from the game. the NBA has lots of facial close ups on freethrows, etc. Although I do agree with you - Its annoying.

Yeah, that's always been my thought - NFL fans can root for an utter scumbag like Leonard Little or Larry Johnson because the pads and helmet mean you're focused on the team colors and not the individual.  Plus football's more of a team sport to begin with.  Drives me nuts though; the NFL over the last 5 years has been "thuggier" than the NBA has ever been, but I still hear the NBA take crap about it, and never a peep toward the NFL.

[angryguy77]

Good - I'm getting some serious schadenfreude over the NFL.  I like football fine but it annoys me to no end that nothing seems to "stick" to that league's reputation, and anything negative vaguely related to the NBA does.  Heck, people were dumping on the NBA for the Vegas All-Star weekend when the only major incident was the Pac-Man Jones strip club shooting.

Its cuz football is a "faceless" sport. The people are covered in pads and helmets and that takes away the personal aspect from the game. the NBA has lots of facial close ups on freethrows, etc. Although I do agree with you - Its annoying.

Yeah, that's always been my thought - NFL fans can root for an utter scumbag like Leonard Little or Larry Johnson because the pads and helmet mean you're focused on the team colors and not the individual.  Plus football's more of a team sport to begin with.  Drives me nuts though; the NFL over the last 5 years has been "thuggier" than the NBA has ever been, but I still hear the NBA take crap about it, and never a peep toward the NFL.

My bro's and excellent example of this. I had to remind him not too long ago of the very things you just said.

[MetroGlobe]

anyone who doesn't think the pro-NFL bias isn't at least PARTLY race-based is kidding themselves.  (key word: partly) 

[drkalloch]

Concur wholeheartedly.

[GranTur]

I'm sure the lawyers for the networks have protected their clients in case of a work stoppage.

Pretty much this.

If there is a work stoppage the NFL will suffer consequences that are far greater than what the league would sacrifice to avoid a lockout.

[incoherent]

I'm sure the lawyers for the networks have protected their clients in case of a work stoppage.

Pretty much this.

If there is a work stoppage the NFL will suffer consequences that are far greater than what the league would sacrifice to avoid a lockout.

did you guys read the OP?