NFL to close up shop?

[PantherBrew]

First, the players have never had the support of the fans or the general public. Pole after pole showed either a support for the owners or a dislike for both sides. That being said, none of this is about public opinion and public opinion is not going to impact any of these decissions on either side. The only public opinion that matters to both the owners and the players is their greed of everything NFL. And based on the recent draft that uncontrolable greed is just as strong as ever (although not growing). The rational thinking on both the owners and players sides is only getting complicated by the greed of the fans. But I will get off my soapbox on that for now.

Secondly, this type of decertification is not presidented. The NFLPA didn't do this because they were fighting for a cause but rather as a ploy in order to not have to bargain and instead litigate. If, and I will give you that it is a big if, the NFL closes down it is because they feel they have been forced into this position by the NFLPA. Just because something has never happened before doesn't mean it won't happened especially when someone feels like they are being forced into a situation.

Lastly, there is a reason the NFL is as popular as it is and while the talent is a reason it is really a very small part of it. Great business, marketing and the absolute greed of the fans of wanting more and more of anything with the NFL shield on it is whats makes the NFL. Let's face it, the majority of fans on this site represent the more informed section of the fan base and these same fans are already willing to buy jerseys of a player that hasn't even played in the NFL yet. The talent has nothing to do with it. It's the NFL's ability to maket the system and process of the NFL that makes a player with no experience as a pro such a major draw and gets fans willing to buy tickets and jerseys right out of the gate. That just doesn't happen in baseball and the reason the NFL and NBA have passed MLB as America's games.

I've said this many times on here. I don't think either side is greedy and understand each sides position and why they have done what they have done. I don't see the players as overpaid employees or the owners as old greedy aristrocates. I do tend to side with the owners but it isn't because I think the players are wrong for their actions. It's because the owners are the real decission makers and IMO the owners want what I want and the player's representation doesn't.

You wanted a Lock-out? It is not a player strike, its a lock-out.

[carolinarolls]

I think they should close up. Or at least temporarily lay off a bunch of people.

I do not think the NFL or the owners want a league that is run by the DEEEMaureeece SMiff's of the world anyway. If he keeps pushing this and maintains support they are gonna have to get rid of everything about the NFL that empowers people like him. This could take time. Years.

It's a privilege to play in the NFL. What's more, you get PAID to accept this privilege.

If it has to break up, restructure, and hire back those that see it that way then so be it.

[Anybodyhome]

If the union can "decertify" as a tactic, then the league can "go out of business" as a tactic. What judge could say one sham is legit and one sham is not?

Exactly.

In an economy where employers are demanding more for less, where we are working harder for less money just to keep our jobs, where we watch our neighbors foreclose after a job loss; I'm surprised there is any player support.

The NFL owners aren't doing anything different than every other employer in the country right now, except they're having to fight a completely unreasonable union, which means unreasonable tactics.

[PantherBrew]

Screw pragmatism when there is something so useful as blind ideology.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

I think they should close up. Or at least temporarily lay off a bunch of people.

I do not think the NFL or the owners want a league that is run by the DEEEMaureeece SMiff's of the world anyway. If he keeps pushing this and maintains support they are gonna have to get rid of everything about the NFL that empowers people like him. This could take time. Years.

It's a privilege to play in the NFL. What's more, you get PAID to accept this privilege.

If it has to break up, restructure, and hire back those that see it that way then so be it.

Yeah, restructure and go with former UFL players. I know people are lined up to watch Mike Teel play football at it's highest level. The players and the owners both made this league what it is, and it took both of them to fug it up.

[Nicbsbll2]

If the union can "decertify" as a tactic, then the league can "go out of business" as a tactic. What judge could say one sham is legit and one sham is not?

Everyone read this, reread it, and then read it one more time. This is exactly why the NFL will "go out of business" if it loses at the appellate level. Don't kid yourselves by thinking this can't/won't happen.

[RHCPanther]

Lol at repeated comparisons of elite athletes to the Average Joe.

Lol at repeated comparisons of the NFL to businesses that have had a downturn in revenues for at least a couple of years.

Lol at repeated claims that businesses have a "right" to demand whatever profit they want because we believe in "free market principles".

[PantherBrew]

Jerry Jones and other owners who have hundreds of millions dollars owed for new stadiums and stadium renovation bills will not allow the NFL to go out of business.

Jerry still owes at least 425 million dollars.

Also, if there is no NFL. Its going to cost the city of Charlotte at least 100 million dollars.

Yeah, owners close shop, that'll show them.

I'd believe there would be a chance of an NFL shutdown if they still got the TV money, but they won't get a chance to sniff that money.

[carolinarolls]

Yeah, restructure and go with former UFL players. I know people are lined up to watch Mike Teel play football at it's highest level. The players and the owners both made this league what it is, and it took both of them to fug it up.

you are foolish to think that the majority of the NFL players would not be reliable employees and see things for what they are. That number will be rising every day after the NFL begins to dismantle itself too.

The support comes from the rotten apples out there right now who JR, JJ, and Goodell don't want in the league anymore anyway and it looks like they are going to be willing to starve them out if they have to.

BTW I am still loling at everyone who thought the players had any power when the owners and league hold the purse strings, signed contracts, and the ability and infrastructure to shut down legally and then reopen across the street overnight to their advantage.

[PantherBrew]

BTW I am still loling at everyone who thought the players had any power when the owners and league hold the purse strings, signed contracts, and the ability and infrastructure to shut down legally and then reopen across the street overnight to their advantage.

Wut?

If the players had no power then why did they owners agree to a "bad deal" for themselves in the last CBA?

[stirs]

Jerry Jones and other owners who have hundreds of millions dollars owed for new stadiums and stadium renovation bills will not allow the NFL to go out of business.

Jerry still owes at least 425 million dollars.

Also, if there is no NFL. Its going to cost the city of Charlotte at least 100 million dollars.

Yeah, owners close shop, that'll show them.

I'd believe there would be a chance of an NFL shutdown if they still got the TV money, but they won't get a chance to sniff that money.

When someone goes out of business, do they still owe their previous obligations?

[Zod]

If that happens I would love for a third party to jump in, start a new fresh league and scoop up all the players while implementing the same teams in each of the cities. Hell, that facebook kid could do it all on his own.

[Panthro]

I guess the owners still shouldn't open up their books. I mean if they are really on the verge of going under please show it to everyone. I don't think anyone (players, fans, judges) would hesitate to work something out if they SAW they were losing money.

[PantherBrew]

When someone goes out of business, do they still owe their previous obligations?

Yes. The NFL doesn't owe money on Jerry World, Jerry does. Jerry is not the NFL.