PFTLive w/ DeMaurice Smith interview Pt.I & II

[Jangler]

Here it is...for what it's worth...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/21/demaurice-smith-interview-transcript-part-one/

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/21/demaurice-smith-interview-transcript-part-2/

[teeray]

Here it is...for what it's worth...

Poo?

[teeray]

[MHS831]

Do you know what really bothers me about this? Goddell and smith going without salaries and making that fact public. Hell, they have already made a TON of money dicking around the NFL, they don't need to work again ever. This, to me, is their way of showing the public that it is not about the money, but it tells me it is ALL about the tremendous amount of money everyone associate with the NFL makes.

They are really out of touch.

[Urrymonster]

I can't stand him. Generally can't stand lawyers, but he really annoys me. He really comes across as self-righteous and arrogant, not a good combination for negotiating...

The fact is these teams are the owners teams (bar Green Bay), made either by their money or their families money. There is no way that you can give 50% of total revenue to the players, especially considering that some teams are struggling with things like stadium upkeep.

The financial risk is the owners, the health risk is the players.

In my mind, the players are crazy expecting that amount. However they should be expecting more long term health care and pensions.

The thing is, there are some teams that are really struggling financially and it is only the revenue sharing that is keeping them afloat. If the NFLPA push and push for more money, then they will slowly bleed various teams dry.

It's a bit like demanding a pay rise because you know that people have been paid that amount before. Then the company has to close various branches and you refuse to take a paycut to keep your job.

EDIT

Why dont the formerly known as NFLPA come out with what they want in the open. That should give some clarity on everything. Unless they aren't prepared to reveal what they are demanding...

[countryboi]

De smith has a very punchable face........i wonder if he has ever though about a job as a punching bag

[twylyght]

Here it is...for what it's worth...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/21/demaurice-smith-interview-transcript-part-one/

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/21/demaurice-smith-interview-transcript-part-2/

Confirms a lot of my thoughts on how leadership of the NFLPA thinks regarding its relationship with the owners. Even though the interview is clearly a softball batting practice for D Smith, it clearly comes across as a desperate PR campaign prior to a court case designed to create political pressure for the ruling entities involved.

You simply cannot compare players in their 50s and 60s to today's athletes with respect to healthcare and ability to pay for health insurance. If the current NFLPA really cared, then they would have offered real financial help better than the league has offered in the past decade and a half. If the NFLPA actually represented all of its constituents rather than the top 10% of its members, it would have supported a raise in salary minimums in conjunction with actual negotiations on where the cap should be set. If the NFLPA were actually interested in a partnership, there would be a clear and fair proposal for players to actually partake in the financial risk and day-to-day operations of an owner's franchise rather than demand all the security of a guaranteed check.

No. DeMaurice Smith and his interview have faith that the court system will "see things right". He speaks and acts like a trial lawyer as opposed to a businessman. When you hear businessmen speak, they talk about the real indicators of how the league is doing regarding P&L. When the league is staring down nearly four times as many blackouts in the past year as it has from the prior half decade accompanied with more struggling franchises, one doesn't have to interpolate much more to see that the writing is on the wall if the league continues on its present course. Any responsible business would re-assess its business model.

You see that happening in a number of states engaging in that discussion now as it is playing out in WI and OH as it has become a necessity rather than an inclination. When politicians have had their hands forced to have discussions of lowering salaries/benefits, you KNOW that the real fiscal situation of a state or nation is VERY BAD. Businesses are normally WELL ahead of the curve when it comes to making business decisions when compared to political institutions. The NFL is no different.

So you get what we have now. The current union is pushing to make everything that it can while it can at whatever expense to the business as a whole while the business is looking to make the necessary decisions to keep its future viable. If the NFLPA gets their way, don't be surprised to see the smaller market teams like Jacksonville, KC, Carolina, Indianapolis, Buffalo, AZ, Minnesota, St Louis, Cincy, Cleveland, Detroit, Tennessee, and Tampa either fold or move elsewhere in the next 15 years.

At this point, I am not hopeful that the NFL will survive this process over the long haul.

[Lout]

De smith has a very punchable face........i wonder if he has ever though about a job as a punching bag

Jimmy Clausen has a punchable face as well.

[Urrymonster]

Confirms a lot of my thoughts on how leadership of the NFLPA thinks regarding its relationship with the owners. Even though the interview is clearly a softball batting practice for D Smith, it clearly comes across as a desperate PR campaign prior to a court case designed to create political pressure for the ruling entities involved.

You simply cannot compare players in their 50s and 60s to today's athletes with respect to healthcare and ability to pay for health insurance. If the current NFLPA really cared, then they would have offered real financial help better than the league has offered in the past decade and a half. If the NFLPA actually represented all of its constituents rather than the top 10% of its members, it would have supported a raise in salary minimums in conjunction with actual negotiations on where the cap should be set. If the NFLPA were actually interested in a partnership, there would be a clear and fair proposal for players to actually partake in the financial risk and day-to-day operations of an owner's franchise rather than demand all the security of a guaranteed check.

No. DeMaurice Smith and his interview have faith that the court system will "see things right". He speaks and acts like a trial lawyer as opposed to a businessman. When you hear businessmen speak, they talk about the real indicators of how the league is doing regarding P&L. When the league is staring down nearly four times as many blackouts in the past year as it has from the prior half decade accompanied with more struggling franchises, one doesn't have to interpolate much more to see that the writing is on the wall if the league continues on its present course. Any responsible business would re-assess its business model.

You see that happening in a number of states engaging in that discussion now as it is playing out in WI and OH as it has become a necessity rather than an inclination. When politicians have had their hands forced to have discussions of lowering salaries/benefits, you KNOW that the real fiscal situation of a state or nation is VERY BAD. Businesses are normally WELL ahead of the curve when it comes to making business decisions when compared to political institutions. The NFL is no different.

So you get what we have now. The current union is pushing to make everything that it can while it can at whatever expense to the business as a whole while the business is looking to make the necessary decisions to keep its future viable. If the NFLPA gets their way, don't be surprised to see the smaller market teams like Jacksonville, KC, Carolina, Indianapolis, Buffalo, AZ, Minnesota, St Louis, Cincy, Cleveland, Detroit, Tennessee, and Tampa either fold or move elsewhere in the next 15 years.

At this point, I am not hopeful that the NFL will survive this process over the long haul.

I don't doubt that the NFL will survive, however it might not survive as we know it. Certain markets will become more and more unprofitable and will force teams into designated places. Whilst the NFL will be safe, you could see some franchises being lost in the journey.

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

Jimmy Clausen has a punchable face as well.

Cam Newton has a very punchable face