Official CBA Thread

[grunt]

Re: Official CBA Thread

I approve of this post.


Oh, and poor AD certainly did choose his employer, he chose the NFL. No one was stopping him from going to the CFL or to one of the arena leagues.

hmmm...the cfl and arena leagues aren't the same. The NFL is a monopoly. He should have used a different argument.

[mestevo]

Re: Official CBA Thread

The NFL isn't a monopoly.

[dsallupinyaarea]

Re: Official CBA Thread

The NFL isn't a monopoly.

News to me...

[mestevo]

Re: Official CBA Thread

News to me...

Do tell, how do you explain that the NFL is a monopoly? They have rules to govern their 32 teams which makes them applicable to antitrust rules, but how do you define the monopoly that you and others claim the NFL has? It's just a term people throw around about things they don't like (ie Madden) even though it's completely wrong.

The even bigger question, if it's a monopoly, how do you fix it? Most won't reply to try and justify this position, because the next step is admitting Madden isn't a monopoly ether.

Being popular or exclusive does not always make something a monopoly, sorry, you'll have to find another generalization with negative connotations/label.

[dsallupinyaarea]

Re: Official CBA Thread

Do tell, how do you explain that the NFL is a monopoly? They have rules to govern their 32 teams which makes them applicable to antitrust rules, but how do you define the monopoly that you and others claim the NFL has? It's just a term people throw around about things they don't like (ie Madden) even though it's completely wrong.

The even bigger question, if it's a monopoly, how do you fix it? Most won't reply to try and justify this position, because the next step is admitting Madden isn't a monopoly ether.

Being popular or exclusive does not always make something a monopoly, sorry, you'll have to find another generalization with negative connotations/label.

Definition of Monopoly:
"exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market, or a control that makes possible the manipulation of prices."

By the TEXTBOOK definition you are right the NFL is not a monopoly. To that I just say "C'MON MAN"

[King_B_Mack]

Re: Official CBA Thread

Do tell, how do you explain that the NFL is a monopoly? They have rules to govern their 32 teams which makes them applicable to antitrust rules, but how do you define the monopoly that you and others claim the NFL has? It's just a term people throw around about things they don't like (ie Madden) even though it's completely wrong.

The even bigger question, if it's a monopoly, how do you fix it? Most won't reply to try and justify this position, because the next step is admitting Madden isn't a monopoly ether.

Being popular or exclusive does not always make something a monopoly, sorry, you'll have to find another generalization with negative connotations/label.

I don't know if the NFL is in fact a monopoly as other leagues could and have formed, however they can't really compete with the NFL due to the sheer size and power that the league has on the market for professional football. Judging by what the judge that declared Microsoft a monopoly has to say....

"Microsoft enjoys so much power in the market for Intel-compatible PC operating systems that if it wished to exercise this power solely in terms of price, it could charge a price for Windows substantially above that which could be charged in a competitive market," Jackson wrote.

Moreover, it could do so for a significant period of time without losing an unacceptable amount of business to competitors," he added. "In other words, Microsoft enjoys monopoly power in the relevant market."

..you could probably say they're a monopoly.

[grunt]

Re: Official CBA Thread

We all know that the USFL won a case claiming the NFL was a monopoly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Football_League#USFL_v._NFL_lawsuit

[mestevo]

Re: Official CBA Thread

We all know that the USFL won a case claiming the NFL was a monopoly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_...v._NFL_lawsuit

...and from that article "willfully acquired and maintained monopoly status through predatory tactics.". What has the NFL done to maintain this monopoly status, what is it doing to kill off it's competitors? There's a difference between just being popular and wielding it anticompetitively (the NFL was doing the latter vs the USFL). If the current TV contracts dictated that no other professional football could be aired on the networks that signed them you'd have a case of the NFL being anticompetitive and acting monopolistic.

I can understand why it's hard for some people to admit they aren't, because then they have to admit that Madden also isn't one either.

[kingkilla56]

Re: Official CBA Thread

...and from that article "willfully acquired and maintained monopoly status through predatory tactics.". What has the NFL done to maintain this monopoly status, what is it doing to kill off it's competitors? There's a difference between just being popular and wielding it anticompetitively (the NFL was doing the latter vs the USFL). If the current TV contracts dictated that no other professional football could be aired on the networks that signed them you'd have a case of the NFL being anticompetitive and acting monopolistic.

I can understand why it's hard for some people to admit they aren't, because then they have to admit that Madden also isn't one either.

AGENDA ALERT

[mestevo]

Re: Official CBA Thread

Goodell sent a letter to all players and agents today, paraphrased by PFT:

“We want you to understand the offer that we made to the NFLPA,” Goodell wrote. “The proposal was made to avoid a work stoppage. Each passing day puts our game and our shared economics further at risk. We believe the offer presented a strong and fair basis for continuing negotiations, allowing the new league year and free agency to begin, and growing our game in the years to come.”

Goodell then summarizes the key elements of the proposal: maximum salary and benefits per team of $141 million per club in 2011, with maximum salary and benefits per team of $161 million in 2014; free agency for players with four or more accrued season; reduced draft-choice compensation for restricted free agents; extensive changes in offseason workouts; reduction of preseason and regular-season padded practices; increased days off; retention of the 16-game season through 2012 with no change to 18 games without the players’ agreement; expanded injury guarantees, with up to $1 million in the year after an injury occurs; continuing medical coverage for life; immediate increases in pension for pre-1993 players; a new rookie wage scale that would make $300 million per draft class available for veteran pay and player benefits; abd external arbitration of all drug and steroids appeals.

“Working together, players and clubs have made the game great,” Goodell added. “Our fans want us to find common ground, settle our differences, and come to a fair agreement. I have met with many of you since becoming Commissioner. You know of my respect and admiration for you as men and players. We need to come together, and soon.

“In that spirit, we are prepared to negotiate a full agreement that would incorporate these features and other progressive changes that would benefits players, clubs, and fans. Only through collective bargaining will we reach that kind of agreement. Our goal is to make our league even better than it is today, with the benefits shared by all of us,” Goodell said.

And here’s the bottom line — literally and figuratively: “I hope you will encourage your Union to return to the bargaining table and conclude a new collective bargaining agreement.”

Meanwhile, De Smith called the offer today "the worst deal in the history of sports."

[grunt]

Re: Official CBA Thread

Goodell sent a letter to all players and agents today, paraphrased by PFT:



Meanwhile, De Smith called the offer today "the worst deal in the history of sports."

So, the owners didn't want another billion off the top.

[dsallupinyaarea]

Re: Official CBA Thread

Goodell sent a letter to all players and agents today, paraphrased by PFT:



Meanwhile, De Smith called the offer today "the worst deal in the history of sports."

That entire 2nd paragraph says absolutely nothing. Filled with so many vague terms. He's trying to capitalize on the perceived stupidity of the players. "extensive changes to offseason workouts" "increased days off" "expanded injury guarantees" All those statements could mean anything.

[mestevo]

Re: Official CBA Thread

I'm not sure why you were expecting something that the union could sign and send in and say 'done!'.... obviously the league proposal would have detailed and outlined all of these changes, the players can ask their union why any of these provisions weren't good enough. I don't think the union even countered this proposal.

Many of those details have already been expanded upon in other posts, summaries and statements. These aren't new, they are just a restatement as part of this appeal while the union is busy throwing jabs in the media (like De Smith's comment).

The union isn't talking to the NFL, so the NFL is talking to the players themselves if their representatives aren't willing to negotiate, seems like a sound tactic to me.

[dsallupinyaarea]

Re: Official CBA Thread

I'm not sure why you were expecting something that the union could sign and send in and say 'done!'.... obviously the league proposal would have detailed and outlined all of these changes, the players can ask their union why any of these provisions weren't good enough. I don't think the union even countered this proposal.

Many of those details have already been expanded upon in other posts, summaries and statements. These aren't new, they are just a restatement as part of this appeal while the union is busy throwing jabs in the media (like De Smith's comment).

The union isn't talking to the NFL, so the NFL is talking to the players themselves if their representatives aren't willing to negotiate, seems like a sound tactic to me.

Actually seems shady to me. Just saying.

[kingkilla56]

Re: Official CBA Thread

That entire 2nd paragraph says absolutely nothing. Filled with so many vague terms. He's trying to capitalize on the perceived stupidity of the players. "extensive changes to offseason workouts" "increased days off" "expanded injury guarantees" All those statements could mean anything.

Well it was paraphrased. Legal documents are extremely detailed and complex. AKA boring to read lol.