Good news I think, this means the NFL now has to bargain on an equal footing with the players, with several having to make Stadium Debt payments with no access to cash to make them, a lockout is now far less attractive.
I noted this ruling and the debt service issue in the thread discussing the contract issue. Won't say this puts them on equal footing. It definitely does increase pressure on ownership. But, we'll still have to see. It's possible the owners can still hold out or get some relief from creditors.
Problem is, the money is gone for the forseeable future, even if the NFL appeals and wins that could take weeks, with the CBA ending in 2 days and 4 billion divided by 32 teams suddenly missing from their warchest all of the plans they had made are now in chaos. 3 issues, 18 games, Claw Backs, Rook Cap are the big ones, I'd think we have 18 games and a Rook Cap, but no claw backs/reduction of the salary cap as adding games and paying less money for the players to perform in them is a non starter...imo
They deferred a combined $4 billion in 2009 and 2010 in revenue in exchange for 2011 "lockout Insurance". It sounds like the owners decided on a lockout for the 2011 season back in 2009, and started preparing for it then. That $4 billion was supposed to be shared with the players in those respective seasons but the owners hid the money by not taking it in 2009-10, waiting for the 2011 lockout to get paid and therefore will not have to be shared with the NFL players. Dirty man, just dirty.
Yep, and what is worse, the money was paid when there was no labor agreement in place for that time period, it extended past the time the CBA expired and Judge Doty smelled a rat.
There's more coming in and here is the entire ruling: http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/Lockout%20Insurance%20Case%20Decision.pdf
Well it appears the players had good reason to bang on the owners. Good for them. I pray we get some sort of agreement or extension to get an agreement.
This tweet from Rovell: People are freaked out about a potential lockout. I really don't care. Sure, I want to see football. But, I want to see the best deal for the overall long term health of the league (not just the best deal for either owners or players for the next 4-6 years). If that means a few missed games, so be it. I'm pretty middle of the road as far as owners / players. I think players have too much power in leagues as far as running them goes and they get away with murder already (except in the NFL). At the same time, I'd like to see them ensure they get their honorable share of revenue and I'd like to see a negotiation that is smart. If a player is in the league 5 years, he needs to have a solid pension. There are too many players who blow through their money (they are ill-equipped to make smart decisions at 21-22 coming into the league with an over-estimated value and dream they will be there for 10-15 years; and signing even a 500K bonus can make most of these guys heads spin). But, if they can have some long term health care and have ample opportunity to improve themselves after their football career is over, return to school for free, have some decent income long term - I'd like to see that. I really don't care about the guy who wants to get a $40 M bonus versus a $25 M bonus. I want to see the special teams guy, the dime back who has been there for several years and made it - have every opportunity when they leave the game (even if they make some mistakes) to make something of their life. Those guys are often putting every bit as much on the line physically, if not more, as the guy making $50 M in his career. All it takes is one knee injury and one lost step and those guys are gone. If Smith does not have something structured in that way he's more of Jesse Jackson (who is about his own agenda) than an MLK, Jr. Smith has a chance to do something great for these guys - and I don't mean turn the league into a disaster by forcing mega $$ for big time players. But something that will help all 1600 players - not just the top 150.
