Who's to blame for the nfl lockout? The owners? Players? Or both?

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   Stevennix2001posted 13 years ago

   According to ESPN, the league claimed to have proposed a deal that deemed by them to be more than fair to the players, and far exceeded many of the players demands.  However, the players claim they don't mind taking a pay cut, but they want to look at the owners books to find out why it's necessary; which is something the owners don't want to do.  Therefore, who's to blame?  The players for not being more flexible?  Or the owner for not opening their books?  Or both?

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      Michael Willisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I would lean to placing more blame on the owners. Both are greedy-granted.
      But the owners refuse to show their books. What are they hiding? Why are they hiding their financial records?

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         Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I don't disagree with you there.  Both parties are greedy, as I don't see what the owners have to hide.  I mean if they stand to lose millions and billions of dollars in potential profits due to this lock out, then it would only make sense they would try to do everything in their power to move things along.  Then again, maybe there's something in some of their books that some of them don't want their own players or other owners to see.  I guess we'll have to wait and see.
         
         What I find interesting though is that Roger Goodell did make a good point claiming that when the NBA fully disclosed their books to the players during their last lock out, it didn't help matters hardly at all.  However, to be fair, the players in the NBA seem to have more of a sense of entitlement than most athletes, in other sports.  whereas nfl players, many of them even said they're willing to compromise as long as the owners show them valid reasons for it in the books.

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         nathanashlandposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yep.  I would add that loyalty of the fan-base is a major factor (I am not implying that the fans are in anyway to blame).  Who of us, myself included, will not watch football in two years if the strike holds?  I'll watch college ball and UFL, but be right back in the NFL's lap whenever they start playing again.
         
         The NFLPA and the owners know this, hence their willingness to risk 2011.

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            canadawest99posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I don't watch millionaires vs billionaires any more, in any sport.  This is not news.

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            Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            there's a lot of truth to that there.  i think these owners and players need to wake up and realize it's about the fans, and not them.  for if we were ever to wise up and boycott the nfl, then they'd be the ones in trouble.

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               Michael Willisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               The big "IF" we would. Bad part is we will watch again. But not another Scab Team like '87. I remember that season. It was horrible and I didn't watch all of it.
               The New breed of team owners (a.k.a. Jerry Jones and the like) see the NFL as a Business and they are the CEOs. Their mind set is that Profits are more important than the game, fans and players.
               
               Both sides have good points in negotiations. I am all for the Rookie Wage scale the owners and some players want. It is necessary.
               
               The retirement fund should get more from the league. I was surprised during my research into the issues at how little actually is placed aside for players retirement and disability. (Compared to their salaries)
               
               One thing from the Hub I researched before writing was I learned a lot more about the issues than I ever did reading from the "Google thinks best" writers at top of ranking" search results. I had to go deep into pages to find a link that was not just another repeat of the exact same message.

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   Rogochuksposted 13 years ago

   I would definitely classify the owners as being the primary factor to blame for the failure to reach an agreement. These NFL owners have long enjoyed the protection of congress in their exploitation of young men, and they have showed little interest in the plight of their stars beyond their glory days. I think that like the rest of the country is being asked to do, the NFL owners should display transparency in their accounting practises and share the loot with the players that do the dirty work.
   

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   Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years ago

   If there is blame to place, no matter the subject, blame it on Obama.

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   optimus grimlockposted 13 years ago

   Its the owners by far, they want an 18 game season and the players don't. There keeping the books closed bcause the players wont play 18 games. If they both drop those 2 demands they should be able to work something else soon!

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