National Football League, Collective Bargaining Agreement::...

For all of my NFL fans, they know that it has been 100 days since the beginning of the NFL lockout, which is the longest work stoppage in NFL history.  The National Football League (NFL) and its affiliates are having a problem coming to an agreement with the collective bargaining situation.  The current dilemma is that the owners want to be greedy and obtain more revenue off of the players.  The owners also propose an 18 game schedule, but plan on paying the players less money for more games.  With the players wanting more money and the owners being stubborn, many players are threatening there be a lockout or that no one plays in the upcoming season until they can have more money.

            On August 8, 2006, Roger Goodell was chosen as the eighth NFL Commissioner in National Football League history.”  Goodell has expressed his concern for not having a lockout, because it would be negative for fans.  Most fans and players would hate the idea of having no football for the 2011-2012 

seasons, just because the owners were not reasonable in the offer to the players. A sports writer from the Times- Picayune wrote, “If a deal isn't reached, the NFL will face a 2011 season with no salary cap. And if the CBA expires in March 2011, the league will face lockout.” Goodell also promised to take a $1 salary for the upcoming season, if an agreement was not made and jeopardizes the 2011-2012 season. Each side is eager to get something done before Circuit Court of Appeals rules on the league's request to permanently block an injunction that originally lifted the lockout.  When the lockout was lifted, players were able to workout in the facility and acquire playbooks, but of course that ruling was overturned a few days later. The fate of next season, however, still remains in limbo. 

My opinion is that Roger Goodell doesn’t care what the agreement is; he just wants everyone to be on the same page.  The owners are being greedy because even if they don’t come to an agreement, they will still get $4 million from the media contracts that are set in place with FOX.  His $1.00 salary for the season, it a bit extreme even if he does make about $10 million a year including bonuses.  Goodell could easily facilitate the situation so that there won’t be a lockout in the upcoming season.  

This new agreement should be made very quickly so that fans won’t be disappointed. With the pre-season staring in early August, owners and players should make a resolution to come to an agreement for the sake of football and the integrity of the game.  But, time is running out for all that to happen without a disruption in the NFL's schedule and plans, especially since hundreds of players will be free agents when a new CBA is signed. The first training camp is scheduled to open on July 22, when the Chicago Bears players hope to report and the regular season is scheduled to open on Thursday, Sept. 8.

With the help of Stephen Colbert, here are some things to think about: 

·         I might have to find another way to entertain my Sunday and Monday's when the fall semester starts. 

·         As of now, I suggest all my NFL fans to capture the essence of Monday Night Paddle Dancing.

·         I truly feel bad for those people who spend over $300/month for the Direct TV NFL  package.

·         More people will use YouTube to post their own highlights from a flag football game.