When looking at the current meetings involving the NFL Players Association and the NFL I have to admit I side more with the players. In the end, it is not important to me which side wins. It is important that there is football to watch in the fall (especially for my Dad who just added another 15 sports channels to their cable package, one of which is the NFL Network).
Player Retirement Benefits- Did you know the average NFL player on average lives almost 20 years less than the average American male? Based on the previous collective bargaining agreement a player who plays in the NFL six years is given 300 dollars a month in retirement. I know most say "pro players make too much money anyways", but those suffering from injuries they sustained during their playing days deserve proper medical attention. (That's the OT coming out in me.)
Rookie Wage Scale- In no other business are salaries skewed to new employees like it is in the NFL. High draft picks along with many of the rookies make more than veterans. They have not proven their worth to the league. Can you imagine if this was the case in the business world? College graduates, or at least those that could find jobs, would be paid millions of dollars more than those that have spent their entire careers working? Veterans deserve their "raises" from the stingy owners.
18 Game Schedule- This is the one issues in which every player agrees, keeping a 16 game schedule instead of moving to an 18 game one. It is also a bargaining point in which the owners will give up. Currently the players would not make any more money but would be subjecting themselves more chances to an injury in an increasingly violent game.
It all boils down to the NFL team owners giving up a little bit of money, which they would make back easily due to the popularity of the league. The money is there and will keep on coming. Is it worth the health of the players for the money?
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