A Game in Flames by Sports Illustrated

[prime311]

This is a good point. I remember when teh Packers released Terrence Murphy and Jeremy Thompson. In both cases, they felt horrible to do it. I think Terrance Murphy came back as an intern a couple years ago and I know in both cases they had all of their medical stuff cleared up before they left.

I buy that 80% of the owners are great guys and want a deal to get worked out.

Maybe this isn't some big bad fight of bad (or dumb) men. Maybe this is a really tough negotiation where the players feel they're better off in litigation and the owners feel their better off bargaining. Maybe the chips just have to fall.

I still think not showing the books and leading the public to believe they tried to was bunk, but whatever. We'll see how it shakes out. Jerry Jones threat shows how weak they are. I don't think people in strong positions feel the need to threaten.

Exactly right there. Also say what you will about the owners caring about the players, I'm sure they care more about their own families and succession and wouldn't hesitate to pay players 100$/game if they could. Caring is relative.

[swede]

How much cough syrup can you get for $100?

[RashanGary]

bad post

[RashanGary]

bad post 2

[swede]

Smeefers and I had a similar conversation at work...Conservatives will sell human life up a creek if it means the companies are more profitable.

You work for a left-wing think tank?

[RashanGary]

He's a conservative and I'm a mod/liberal. He's pro owner, I'm anti. It lead to a political discussion.

[RashanGary]

bad post 3

[ThunderDan]

Just because a select few can't handle thier finances doesn't mean most of them can't. If they were responsible with thier money, they wouldn't get into those situations. They have nowhere to point the finger at but themselves and I refuse to feel sorry for people who waste fortunes.

JH, I think you're missing my point. The owners themselves will be fine for years and years, but what of the people on the business side who work under them? No season means no job. It's a lot harder on a man when he looses a 50 k a year job than when a player looses a 500k a year job.

Per a 2009 article, 78% of all NFL players are bankrupt or in financial distress within 2 years of retiring. It's not as uncommon as you think.

[Smidgeon]

Just because a select few can't handle thier finances doesn't mean most of them can't. If they were responsible with thier money, they wouldn't get into those situations. They have nowhere to point the finger at but themselves and I refuse to feel sorry for people who waste fortunes.

JH, I think you're missing my point. The owners themselves will be fine for years and years, but what of the people on the business side who work under them? No season means no job. It's a lot harder on a man when he looses a 50 k a year job than when a player looses a 500k a year job.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Just because a select few can't handle thier finances doesn't mean most of them can't. If they were responsible with thier money, they wouldn't get into those situations. They have nowhere to point the finger at but themselves and I refuse to feel sorry for people who waste fortunes.

JH, I think you're missing my point. The owners themselves will be fine for years and years, but what of the people on the business side who work under them? No season means no job. It's a lot harder on a man when he looses a 50 k a year job than when a player looses a 500k a year job.

I agree wholeheartedly.

+1

[Patler]

Per a 2009 article, 78% of all NFL players are bankrupt or in financial distress within 2 years of retiring. It's not as uncommon as you think.

Do you happen to recall what was required to be an "NFL player" in this study, or what was required for "retiring"? Do you remember if it included individuals who may have been around for only a year or two, then disappeared from the NFL scene? I can easily understand how a player who played a year or two at minimum wage, who likely has no degree and no particular job skills, might have a difficult time finding a job the first two years after ending his NFL career.

I wonder what the stats would be for drafted players who sign a second contract. Players who lasted for 5 or 6 years at least. If a very large percentage of players like that (who would have made several million $) are bankrupt just a couple years after ending their careers, something is really wrong with the culture of being a player. It would not necessarily surprise me, however.