NFLPA Said --VS--NFL/Owners Said

[Sam Mills Fan]

You can only call these teams private property when the owners don't have to use taxpayer money at all to fund the stadiums required to have these teams. Even Ericsson Stadium was partially built using taxpayer money.

[Sam Mills Fan]

In fact, this is a great article for you conservatives that are in such favor of the owners to read: http://nationaljournal.com/people-s-game-the-taxpayers-stake-in-nfl-labor-negotiations-20110311

It shows a breakdown of how each stadium in the league was built and the vast majority were built using at least tens of millions if not over $100 million in taxpayer money. Take Dallas. To build their shiny new stadium that could just be sitting dormant come this fall, they boosted their city sales tax by .5%, hotel occupancy tax by 2%, and car rental tax by 5%. Arlington, TX spent $325 million to build the stadium.

[teeray]

Did somebody point a gun at Jerry Richardson's head and force HIM to purchase a new Charlotte-based NFL franchise back in 1993? Or did he fight tooth and nail himself for that to happen?

No, nobody forced the players to sign up. But nobody forced these oh so poor and helpless owners to enter into the league either. When Jerry Richardson became an owner, there was already a strong union that he knew of, it wasn't like it was a secret. And when he spearheaded the 2006 CBA agreement that he's bitching about now, it's not like anyone was forcing him to do that either.

There is a key word in here. I bolded it for you.

[jpniner]

You can only call these teams private property when the owners don't have to use taxpayer money at all to fund the stadiums required to have these teams. Even Ericsson Stadium was partially built using taxpayer money.

2 wrongs don't make a right, and last I checked the stadium money wasn't Federal....this is going into Federal Court to steal from the owners now. Not the local Superior Court.

it may be 'technically legal' but thats not anyones point. When anti-trust laws apply to Unions as they should then it would be closer to a level playing field.

[teeray]

And I'm saying they deserve to be paid more than other workers in our economy, as they can support it. Why would the players not need or deserve a union? Just beause your wife accepts a pooty comp plan doesnt mean it's reasonable to assume everyone else In a position to negotiate has to be so meek. Sounds like jealousy on your part to me.

They do deserve to be paid. And they need a union. That isn't why they pissed me off.

For the record I am with the union on a lot of the stuff they a bargaining for. The 18 game schedule is absurd with the increases in concussions, injury, etc.

Also I am 1000% behind them pushing for better health care especially in their pensions when they need it the most

But what I am against is them decertifying under BS pretenses to try to get a better deal.

I am against them not negotiating in good faith.

I am against them making ridiculous and unnecessary requests as a PR stunt so they can decertify and go to court while trying to save face in the court of public opinion.

So I am not against the union. I am against this BS move and the fact they are trying to play the public for fools and trying to garner sympathy while they do it.

[teeray]

All major corporation that open office buildings or headquarter in a certain state get very close to tax immunity from the local general assemblies.

So most all major companies are getting tax subsidies so the tax payer stadium argument rings very hollow.

[Sam Mills Fan]

A stadium built by taxpayers is actual physical property different from something on paper like a tax incentive. The vast majority of money that went into the shiny new Cowboys and Colts stadiums came through public funding. So until they can continue operations in their old stadiums or build new ones through the use of solely private funds, using the argument of "oh, it's their own personal private property durr durr durrrrrr they can durr treat their teams like they're Big Macs they just bought at a drive-thru durr durr durr" is stupid.

[Sam Mills Fan]

That's why Michael Jordan couldn't move the Bobcats out of Charlotte until 2029 without being legally obligated to pay the city of Charlotte some crazy figure like $750 million. Not exactly "private property".

[teeray]

That's why Michael Jordan couldn't move the Bobcats out of Charlotte until 2029 without being legally obligated to pay the city of Charlotte some crazy figure like $750 million. Not exactly "private property".

For major companies they are NOT tax incentives they are tax packages unique to that corporation. This tax packages usually have clauses like the one with the Bobcats. Things like job creation thresholds, commitment to long term local investments, etc.

They aren't incentives that everyone is allowed to participate in. They make it so lock tight that it ONLY applies to the company it is intended for.

I was on hand in person to see the NC general assembly put together packages for both Google and Apple to come here.

That is mularkey.

[Jaxel]

A stadium built by taxpayers is actual physical property different from something on paper like a tax incentive. The vast majority of money that went into the shiny new Cowboys and Colts stadiums came through public funding. So until they can continue operations in their old stadiums or build new ones through the use of solely private funds, using the argument of "oh, it's their own personal private property durr durr durrrrrr they can durr treat their teams like they're Big Macs they just bought at a drive-thru durr durr durr" is stupid.

I live in Arlington and I can tell you that Jerry Jones put up a tremendous amount of money into making that Stadium... More than probably his entire roster makes the duration of their contracts combined. You also act like these cities that put up some of the money don't have anything to gain. NFL brings tons and tons of attraction to a perticular city. Arlington has benefited with new roadways, improvements all in the district. It's not like the community has been robbed by Jerry Jones.

[mountainpantherfan]

If the players were smart, they'd pool their money, rent out their alumni stadiums on Sunday, & become a self owned league!

(just thought I'd create some lawyer porn.)

Honestly, not a bad idea. If I was in their position and I wasn't happy with my employment situation, I would go out and create my own opportunity. Individually, they would end up making a 10th of what they are currently making but I would be happy in my situation which is invaluable.

[Sandy Claws]

Honestly, not a bad idea. If I was in their position and I wasn't happy with my employment situation, I would go out and create my own opportunity. Individually, they would end up making a 10th of what they are currently making but I would be happy in my situation which is invaluable.

Those without existing contracts could. Not those with contracts.

[Stumpy]

They've invest 20 years of their lives to becoming an NFL player, not to mention the physical damage their bodies endure playing in the league for an average of 3.5 years.....all the owners did was lay down some cash and buy a team....who really made the investment?

If you know "A" NFL player who has retired, ask them what physical problems they have from playing in the NFL. I know several and not one of them doesn't suffer from some lingering injury and by suffer I mean it limits their physical abilities.

Kind of like how normal people invest 20 years of their lives (in school) to become a(n) _________, not to mention the mountains of debt from student loans/credit cards.... all the owner/CEO/shareholders did was work their asses off/invested wisely so that they would have the money to lay down some cash to buy/start their own business... who really made the investment?

So who has more of an investment, the entry-level paralegal working in the mail room or the partner with the corner office who has spent 20+ years of his professional career, plus all that other stuff above, working his way up to get to the point where he can have that corner office?

[chef17]

Kind of like how normal people invest 20 years of their lives (in school) to become a(n) _________, not to mention the mountains of debt from student loans/credit cards.... all the owner/CEO/shareholders did was work their asses off/invested wisely so that they would have the money to lay down some cash to buy/start their own business... who really made the investment?

So who has more of an investment, the entry-level paralegal working in the mail room or the partner with the corner office who has spent 20+ years of his professional career, plus all that other stuff above, working his way up to get to the point where he can have that corner office?

What job requires you to invest 20 years of your life for that specific job? 3/4 of what you learn in school has no relation to your career path so not exactly a fair comparison