So, who's side are you on now?

[CLTPanther]

F unions

[riddel]

playaz

[Carl Spackler]

leaning strongly toward the "who gives a poo" side

[Cat'sGrowl]

The fans.

This.

It'd be nice if we could make the NFL see who was really in charge of this sport.

No, Jerry, it's our sport. And WE'RE taking it back. And DeMaurice Smith? Screw you. Your just an idiot politician who has no place here.

[Davidson Deac II]

I am on the side of the cheerleaders. Especially the slutty, bisexual topcats. :)

[The Saltman]

what davidson said

[thefuzz]

Definitively and unequivocally, the owners.

The union exists for one reason: its continued existence. It doesn't care about the future of the league, it only cares about taking care of 1) itself, and 2) current benefits and income. Current players and union leadership don't give a poo if the league fails in 5 years, they are out to get the maximum return for as long as it lasts.

The owners, by contrast, have, to varying degrees, invested in their business to sustain them for the long term. Like all GOOD business owners, they will sacrifice the short term for long term gains. This is because they risk their own equity to achieve that return.

This dichotomy is why fans should hope that owners prevail. There are too many lessons in our recent history where unions strangled off future cash flow for lavish benefits: the auto industry, airlines, steel, etc. should be classic case studies for what can happen if you lose your long term vision.

Don't think the owners' costs are increasing? Anyone tried to get a mortgage lately, much less a small business LOC?

I heard some player rep for the Titans on Sirius today; he went on to state that the financials the owners provided weren't detailed enough. He said that showing net profits wasn't enough, that they wanted expense reports to see where the money was going. Why? What gives them the right to say how much the owners are allowed to pay, and which expenses do they think are "proper"?

I don't think the players union (i.e. D. Smith, atty.) ever intended to negotiate. Hiring an attorney was their first mistake; I think as this drags out, more of them will realize he believes his litigious nature has cost them dearly, both short and long term.

This is exactly how I look at, and think about the issue.

Unions suck, and are no longer needed in America.

[beastson]

I figured more people would say Owners

But I didnt figure more people would pick them over neither... I'm truly amazed

[beastson]

Then again... I'm not amazed

[blackcatgrowl]

I figured more people would say Owners

But I didnt figure more people would pick them over neither... I'm truly amazed

When you look at the owner's offer, you can see they made an attempt to NOT set anyone's pay back immediately, and addressed some of the other concerns like post-career issues. They tried to satisfy a request for financials, for the whole league, and they tried to meet them half-way or better on all the issues.

Dumbass Smith and co. just looked at it, and said "Bitch I want all that money. Not half, not some, but all my cash!", then pimp walked out of the bargaining room, literally straight into the courtroom.

[Wither]

Owners, easily.

[Dpantherman]

Owners, easily.

what about steve smith?

[section543]

Frank Garcia had it right the other day. The players think they are partners, and the owners think the players are employees. I agree with the owners- the players are very well compensated employees.

I could see setting up a better pension/long-term disability plan, rookie wage scale, and better split for the owners, and call it a day.

[Kyle82]

Mark me down for the owners....especially after A. Petersons comment the other day. There is plenty of money to go around....playing in the NFL is like owning a drivers license...or hell, even having health insurance for that matter....it's a privledge, not a right.