It’s Still The Economy ……. But You’re Not Stupid …..
It’s Still The Economy ……….But You’re Not Stupid
Well we’re now on the eve of the 2009-10 season with regard to the NFL’s scheduled play.Now as we’re in an economic downturn and all is rife in terms of revenues gleaned for a number of franchises around the league.One can only surmise that as the season unfolds and the progresses a number of games will almost certainly be blacked out. In saying this,one has to remember that in order for games to be televised by the broadcast networks. They in essence have to be sold out in terms of a capacity audience in attendance of those games.
NFL Commissioner , Roger Goodell. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Richard Carlson ....................
But it ought to be apparent to a number of people out there that during the preseason, there were a number of seats empty in the stands. If that’s a precursor as to what we ought to expect. Then we’re in for a big surprise once the season commences. It’s plain to see that the league and a number of franchises are about to be in for a torrid time. The effect was there for all to see and it will become glaringly magnified.
Teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Chargers, Detroit Lions,Washington Redskins,Jacksonville Jaguars,New Orleans Saints,Carolina Panthers,Oakland Raiders,San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills have had a hard time selling game day tickets.Never-mind the fact that the PSL’s for season ticket holders have understandably declined. But that’s a story for another day. Or so,the NFL would have us believe.In light of the fact that there’s the likelihood that at least 20% of the NFL fixtures could well be blacked out.
Goodell seen here at Wasington and Lee University wherein a symposium was held on leadership and sports.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, has declined to change the rules governing the televising of the games. There’s no denying that the NFL as a business is a very profitable sport for all involved. From the franchises, to the players and the game’s patrons in terms of their corporate sponsors. With that being said and in light of this downturn. One has to reason that should the US economy not show signs of turning around. Then the league will have to deal with a very acute situation.
At present it doesn’t appear to be on Commissioner Goodell’s agenda.And anything that appears to damage the league’s image as to it being beyond reproach. It’s clear that Goodell will appear to make that its image remains in-tact. And as we all know,when it comes to the NFL …’image is everything or is it inconsequential that it can mean absolutely nothing at all ‘ ? But rest assured that once the league and its franchises realizes how entrenched this downturn is. They’ll have to review their position. One can surmise that in many markets,a number of teams will seek the patronage of local businesses in order to make sure that a number of tickets won’t go unsold. Whether or not this will work for a number of franchises remains to be seen.
The NFL much likes its counterparts in the NBA ,NHL and MLB would like to paint you a rosy picture as to the health of their respective sports.If you doubt my word then listen quite clearly to the statements that’ve been made by their respective commissioners. Consider this also, the NBA over the last decade alone has borrowed in excess of $1.6 billion in order maintain a healthy financial base for a number of its franchises.This last year alone, a further $200million was borrowed and made available to 14 franchises around the league. Commissioner,David Stern of the NBA in his own words stated “…… that in no way ought this to be considered a financial bailout of these franchises.” Well, if it smells like a rat and the stench is so odious then it can only be surmised as being it being a rat. Or could Stern, be trying to sell us a bill of goods on that score ? There’s no need to feel stupid as it’s just the way that the various governing bodies tend to insult the intelligence of the fans. Just as the federal government tends to do the very same thing along with the vast majority of the members of Congress.
Courtesy of The New York Times:
By Richard Sandomir
Reduced season ticket sales for some NFL teams could result in a greater than usual local television blackouts.
“It’s all part of the challenges we’re seeing in the economy and that our clubs are going through,” Roger Goodell told reporters at the Washington Redskins’ training camp in Ashburn, Va. “Our clubs have been working hard in the off-season to create other ways to try to get people in the stadiums and to have policies that are a little more flexible,and hopefully, they’re going to pay dividends for us”.
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Now comes the hard part in terms of what the NFL and it franchises will inevitably have to do.Either the commissioner, acquiesces to the wishes of many of the franchises and changes the rules governing the blackout of games. Or they’ll indeed have to move ahead with things being as they are. As to the ultimate outcome of this all, your guess just like anyone else’s will be subject to a great deal of debate and conjecture. The NFL tends to march to the beat of its own drum and rarely does it like listen to anyone outside its sphere of influence. And at this moment in time that includes the fans, as well as the broadcast networks.
A number of franchises around the league are in somewhat of a tenuous situation. And with the 2010-11 season about to bring a great deal of unrest , should neither the league and the NFLPA not be able to resolve their differences as to the renegotiating of the collective bargaining agreement. Then, all hell is liable to break loose on a number of fronts for the National Football League.
Certainly at this moment in time there have been a number of issues that Goodell has chosen to address head on. Merely, because from a PR standpoint those that reflect the image of the league as to its overall popularity. In the eyes of the public as far he’s concerned they’ll look upon it that he’s doing a good job. The thing however, I find with Goodell , is that he’s only too willing to pick and choose the battles that he feels he can win. Especially, if it is to his advantage and that of the league’s in terms of perception.
These are indeed some very trying times for all of the major professional sports. But it’d be remiss to think that the economic problems that’ve began to test the resolve of those sports isn’t just being felt at the professional level. As it is now , at the collegiate and varsity level . A number of programs are either making drastic budgetary cuts. Or in-fact doing away with several sports altogether. Never-mind the fact this also leads to further hardships in terms of there being layoffs amongst employees at varying levels within an athletic department. But such are the vagaries that real sacrifices have to be made. In the case of the NFL , one has to wonder what it is that Goodell and his hierarchy are failing to see at this juncture ? Or could it be that his mind may well be elsewhere at present ?
Courtesy of The Washington Post :
By Jason Reid Redskins Insider
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell paid a visit to Redskins Park on Tuesday morning. As the team began practice, Goodell chatted on the sidelines with owner Dan Snyder, executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato, Coach Jim Zorn and former quarterback Joe Theismann. Rookies Brian Orakpo and Jeremy Jarmon stopped by.
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It certainly hasn’t helped if the alleged rumors that’ve surfaced are true. That in-fact Goodell and former NFLPA President Troy Vincent acted inappropriately with regard to a clandestine meeting held between he and Goodell. Wherein, it is now being alleged that privileged information was passed between the two as to the union negotiations. If there’s any veracity to this at all , then it clearly smacks in the face of the somewhat pristine image and persona that Goodell tries to portray. And clearly that image when one looks at the league’s members and their behavior as of late. Then there’s not much really to differentiate between that of the commissioner and his very own members . And their belief that they can do as they please without there being any recourse.
Courtesy of The New York Times :
Government Investigates Players Union On Collusion Charge
By Judy Battista
The National Football League Players Association is under investigation to determine whether or not some of its leaders tried to collude with league officials by holding secret meetings with them to discuss labor issues without the knowledge of top union leadership.The investigation, being conducted by the Department of Labor, was revealed as part of a lawsuit filed against the union , by a union employee, Mary Moran, and first reported by Sports Business Journal. According to documents filed in District of Columbia Superior Court on Thursday, and obtained by the Associated Press,Moran provided investigators with that former union president Troy Vincent and other union members met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Houston Texans’ owner Robert McNair, to provide the league access to confidential union information.
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