We interrupt the renewed sense of optimism to point out that, if optimism turns to pessimism and pessimism turns to tiger blood, some teams won’t be slashing their payrolls.
The fine folks at SportsBusiness Daily identify several teams that plan to not impose layoffs or furloughs in the event of a lockout. The Vikings, per Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, held a meeting with staff after reading about other teams’ plans to reduce staff. The Vikings won’t implement any such measures (a wise move while trying to get a publicly-funded stadium), but they would revisit the situation if the work stoppage lasts into September.
Jim Varney of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that neither furloughs nor layoffs will be happening with the Saints.
Likewise, Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star points out that owner Jim Irsay said last onth the team has no plans to impose layoffs or pay cuts.
Hopefully, no teams will have to employ such measures. Hopefully, the term “lockout” for NFL fans will soon be used only when leaving the house and realizing the keys are still on the kitchen table.