Comments on: Union Not Communicating With Agents About CBA Issues

By: Big E Man

Big E Man — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:04:59 +0000

I do agree the product will be watered down but after a few weeks of fans ignoring the weak games, eventually fans will watch because you can only do so many chores, yard work, and mall runs with the wife on Sunday.
For some people they they prefer Ray Lewis smacking Willie Parker, Portis juking Spears, McFaddon burning Merrimen, and so on. Others just want to see their Jets beat the hated Patriots, their Browns beat the hated Steelers, their Eagles smoke the Giants. Some people just want to watch their team smack the other team.
If the owners were smart, they would reduce the tickets during a strike to keep the games going and the fans coming. Some fans will not go to watch scabs while others will be happy to pay the reduced rate and maybe be able to their kid and his buddy.
Jay7777, you maybe right and a lot of people will not be willing to pay for it because it is not quality.
So, the question is, if a fourth string Steeler nobody hits a fourth string nobody, will there be anyone there to wave the Towel?

By: Jay7777

Jay7777 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:15:11 +0000

E man…If you think fans are upset about preseason games and paying bucks for, I think MORE of them will not at all be happy with bucks for 4th rate players. I want to see Goodell try to sell that AS quality!! In teh NFL the product IS the players and their talent is what makes fans interested.

By: Big E Man

Big E Man — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:43:06 +0000

one has to wonder if there will be more scabs crossing the line this time around (assuming the strike happens). Look at a roster right now and we are talking 80+/- players. Some of those final players on the bubble will be veterans making good veteran money. If you are a free agent a free agent making in excess of 500K, do you cross the line? Careers are generally short and the 1st strike year would allow some players an extra year pay and others that one year to develop on the field and get paid instead of cut. The one item that has not been discussed (or i missed it) is during the strikes in the ’80′s, what were the margnial veterans and rookies being payed versus what they are getting right now?
I enjoy the stars that play the game but if there is a strike i will still watch the teams in the AFC North strap it on and bang heads. Some want to see so-n-so make a play, I want my team to win (accept on the turd list). I may play fantasy football but i live and die for my team to win that week. So i think die hards will show up. The smart things for the owner is to sell tickets half for strike games and give season tickets gift cards (for the difference) to use on antying in the stadium. Fans will come and the Union will be furious.
So what does that have to do with the Agents, well quite abit. Agents left in the cold by the Union might just help their player cross the picket line because they represent the player and not the Union. Those fringe players do not have the finanial cushion that star players have. They could work to get guys that cross the line good contracts. Maybe i am way off base here but maybe not.
Oh & if the Steelers had to issue their injury report today, Ben R would be listed with a sore throwing shoulder and hyper extended pinky.

By: WalrusCP

WalrusCP — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:01:28 +0000

Perhaps a sign they’ll try and circumvent the agents and work out some rookie pay scale…? We can only hope it to be so.

By: shaunypoo

shaunypoo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:48:54 +0000

The agents are going to have some say simply because of the influence they hold over their players. It only makes since for the union to get the agents on their side, even if it’s only in an advisory role. The agents may be self serving, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t bring valid points or ideas to the table.

By: Jay7777

Jay7777 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:17:10 +0000

I wonder what role did agents have in the past negotiations and if they REALLY were looking out for themselves or the players?? Isn’t this between the owners AND players?? (So why should agents have ANY say??)

By: Walrus

Walrus — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:09:48 +0000

Interesting. I would have sought their input prior to talks starting, good ideas can come from lots of different stakeholders. But now that talks have begin, they can wait to see the final deal. No need to let agents look over the shoulder of the guys at the table.