Have you worked for a privately held employer?

[Patler]

Did you have any idea how profitable it was? I worked for a very large one at one time. Family owned, international business. Factory workers were unionized, large professional staff was not. Plants all over the world. We all had some idea about general numbers generated in the business, but they certainly never "opened their books" during salary discussions or union negotiations. We knew nothing about how profitable they really were. We could only guess.

Every employer is successful due to the skill & performance of its employees.
All employees are replaceable, even NFL players.

I understand why the NFLPA keeps harping on the "open your books" argument, it sounds good. But why is an NFL team any different than any other private employer?

Sorry NFLPA. Except for the publicly held Green Bay Packers, you are not entitled to any more detailed information about the private financial affairs of the teams than you currently have.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't blame them. The owners are coming across as if they are losing money--when they are likely making a boatload and looking to make a boatload more.

[Patler]

I don't blame them. The owners are coming across as if they are losing money--when they are likely making a boatload and looking to make a boatload more.

Isn't that what a lot of employers do during negotiations? Claim they can't pay more because they don't make enough, or are losing money? It's certainly not a novel argument by the NFL owners.

Again, I understand why the union harps on it. I just don't think they are entitled to it.

[HowardRoark]

Obama should take over the NFL. All American citizens have a right to watch football; we could have government committees do all the drafting, coaching, etc.

[get louder at lambeau]

Obama should take over the NFL. All American citizens have a right to watch football; we could have government committees do all the drafting, coaching, etc.

Sarcasm or not, he's a Bears fan, so take it back.

[HowardRoark]

Sarcasm or not, he's a Bears fan, so take it back.

I'll have that team of yours shut down if you don't watch it.

[swede]

How many franchises are having trouble competing financially in the revenue-sharing environment of the NFL?

We hear about the Vikings having some trouble, but Zygi may simply be trying to find a way to maximize profits more than working hard to find a way to survive.

It will be interesting to see which way negatively charged public opinion flows should a lockout occur. Joe Lunchbucket may not feel very sorry for NFL superstars making 8 million dollars a year. The owners will practice their calm and sorrowful regrets about offering more and more money to the players without any luck in getting an agreement. The NFLPA has to cave in the end.

[get louder at lambeau]

The main thing that makes this situation different with the NFL is that there is nowhere else they can make real money as a professional football player in America. It's a monopoly, and that changes the rules compared to a standard privately held company.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Isn't that what a lot of employers do during negotiations? Claim they can't pay more because they don't make enough, or are losing money? It's certainly not a novel argument by the NFL owners.

Again, I understand why the union harps on it. I just don't think they are entitled to it.

Apples to oranges comparison in my book.

[red]

owners should be making more money, a lot more money imo

the players didn't shell out hundreds of millions of dollars to buy the team. the owners did

the players aren't on the hook for any expenses or losses that may come along, the owners are

if a team tanks the owners stand to lose tens of millions if not hundreds of millions of their invested money, the players just move on to the next team

i think most owners are big douchey asshole, but i have to side with them on this. they paid huge amounts of money for these teams as an investment. they took all the monetary risk, they should be the ones to reap the rewards

[Patler]

Apples to oranges comparison in my book.

How so?

[retailguy]

I'll have that team of yours shut down if you don't watch it.

You know what this means, right? HEALTHY CHOICE OPTIONS AT THE STADIUM. No more hot dogs, brats and burgers. Hello TOFU, and vegan options.

<sheesh>

[Smidgeon]

The main thing that makes this situation different with the NFL is that there is nowhere else they can make real money as a professional football player in America. It's a monopoly, and that changes the rules compared to a standard privately held company.

Oligopoly.

[SkinBasket]

You know what this means, right? HEALTHY CHOICE OPTIONS AT THE STADIUM. No more hot dogs, brats and burgers. Hello TOFU, and vegan options.

<sheesh>

Well, if the White House super bowl party was any indication, that would be true except all the burgers and hot dogs and everything else that tastes good would be with the Obamas in the owner's box.

Michelle Obama concedes that the White House Super Bowl menu of bratwurst, kielbasa, cheeseburgers, deep-dish pizza and Buffalo wings didn’t exactly fit with her campaign to get Americans to eat healthy and combat obesity. But the first lady says it’s all about balance.

Too bad her idea of balance is "you all eat the healthy stuff while we stuff our faces with fat and sugar."

[Smidgeon]

I think one thing to keep in mind is that in order to keep owners involved and investing in their teams, the rate of return needs to be comparable to other business ventures (not necessarily sports). Otherwise you'll have owners who cut back on team spending to create that comparable cushion.