Labor Pains - Monday, May 26, 2008
359 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   You may not have noticed last week that the NFL owners decided to void the final two years of the current collective bargaining agreement with their union employees. That's understandable, since the Phillies, NBA playoffs Stanley Cup finals and even Eagles rookie camp have been in the forefront far more than NFL labor issues. But after reading Bob Ford's column in The Inquirer Monday, you might be a little skittish -- scared, even -- about pro football's future.

   Fear not, folks. There will be plenty of posturing and tough talk over the next three years, but once the threats and forecasts of doom are finished, there will be football. Bet on that. Now, it might have a different financial personality, because owners aren't too happy about devoting 59.5% of their revenues to labor costs. They're not thrilled with having to pay first-round draft choices considerably more than many proven stars. And they're pretty steamed that it appears they lost out in the last set of negotiations. Oh, and big-wallet owners (okay, bigger-wallet owners) like Jerry Jones and Daniel Snyder are growing weary of the the league's socialist-style "share the wealth" philosophy that has helped teams like Green Bay stay on a par with New York, despite huge disparities in market size.

  All of those factors will play major roles in the ensuing negotiations, whether they begin this fall or in 2010. But they shouldn't concern you, the fan. The owners may sound ready to go to the mattresses on this one, but after reaping $7 billion in revenues last year, they're not too likely to toss a season aside. Some may argue differently, since they could well consider that the cost of long-term satisfaction, but these guys like money, and giving up a big chunk of it isn't too appealing.

   The players have even more to lose. Their careers are finite, while greedy owners can linger for decades. Surrendering a season of wages and -- more importantly -- a year of service for pension purposes is quite unsatisfactory. They'll make concessions (rookie salary cap, free agent modifications, an extra regular-season game etc.) to avoid a work stoppage.

   In the end, the NFL will continue on. And, really, do you really care about what the labor climate in the league is like? You just want football, and football you shall have. In the meantime, avert your eyes from the reports and footage of acrimony surrounding the whole mess. A lack of interest from the fans might just lead the two sides to the bargaining table faster. Worry instead about whether the Eagles will ever sign a front-line wideout again or if Jim Johnson's defense will force more turnovers this year. Those are the important issues. Leave the labor news to the business section.