Sports Fans Coalition | Tag Archive

March 22, 2011 |No Comments NFL

QUICK KICK: Shane Falco Can’t Save Next Season

by Brad Sullivan

One of the most ridiculous sports movies of all time has to be ‘The Replacements’.

That being said don’t look for a based-on-a-true-story sequel to this film to be produced anytime soon.

As the NFL enters the second week of the lockout Commissioner Rodger Goodell sats he won’t resort to using scab players – bringing in the real life equivalent to Shane Falco – in the near future.

Alex Marvez of Fox Sports writes: “Although the NFL commissioner didn’t completely dismiss the idea of using replacement players in 2011, Goodell indicated Tuesday that the league has no plans of doing so even if the current labor impasse extends into the regular season.”

Although Falco (played by Keanu Reeves) and Coach Jimmy McGinty (played by Gene Hackman) are not available to save next season, the fans can!

Sign the petition at SaveNextSeason.com to make your voice heard and take a stand to end the NFL lockout.

Read the full article here.

March 21, 2011 |1 Comment NFL

Brad Blakeman to Sports Fans: You Have the Power!

Today on FoxNews.com, SFC board member Brad Blakeman surmises the NFL labor situation with tact, and most importantly, announces to those sports fans unaware of their clout that they truly have the power to make a difference and Save Next Season.

What has transpired thus far has been regrettable and certainly avoidable. The owners and the players have been using the fans as pawns in a game more akin to hungry hippos. Both sides are grabbing for every last shred of the $9 billion per year league which is an industry all on its own.

Blakeman clears the air on each side’s strategy, and demonstrates who indeed has the power: sports fans! We need to get off the sidelines and on to the playing field. Join the Coalition, sign the petition, and let’s make a difference.

Read the full article here.

March 19, 2011 |No Comments NFL

QUICK KICK: Vikings Kicker Draws his own Conclusions on the Lockout

by George Donnelly

Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has a funny take on the current NFL labor situation. His drawings illustrate the mistrust the players have for ownership at this point, and show in no uncertain terms that it is the owners who are asking for more out of a new collective bargaining agreement. A lockout happens because owners think the economic model of the league is unsustainable. But if that model is unsustainable, OPEN YOUR BOOKS AND PROVE IT TO THE FANS!
While these illustrations are humorous, the lockout is no laughing matter for those of us who want to see NFL football next fall.

Read the story here.

Sign the petition to Save Next Season here.

March 16, 2011 |No Comments NFL

QUICK KICK: Goodell on Draft: It’s a Special Moment

by John Morse

As the NFL lockout is upon us, various ideas have been tossed around to deter fans from supporting the NFL during such a tough time. One of these ideas is a boycott of the NFL draft, set to take place on the weekend of April 38th, in New York City.

Various sources have indicated that the NFLPA has a plan in place to advise draft prospects to not attend the draft. Roger Goodell stressed his concern with a possible NFLPA driven boycott:

“I just think it’s a shame for young men that are starting their careers in the NFL, that are having that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come across the stage, become an NFL player for the first time,” Goodell told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Goodell went onto say that his duty to be on stage and announce the picks is also a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The reality for fans is that the inability of the NFL and NFLPA to agree on a new CBA is the real “once in a lifetime” event. Given the number of disappointed fans and the vast business the NFL has become, working out a new deal should be the priority.

You can see more on Goodell’s reaction here.

March 14, 2011 |No Comments NFL

QUICK KICK: Is Goodell’s $1 Salary an Overpayment?

by Scott Weiss

Roger Goodell has stuck to his promise by agreeing to have his salary dropped to $1 during the NFL lockout.

Unfortunately, this means absolutely nothing.

It is speculated that Goodell will get a very generous multi-million dollar bonus once a new CBA is reached. If Goodell was as good at negotiating as he is about writing apology letters to fans and playing salary shell games, we would not be in the midst of an NFL work stoppage.

I am also outraged by the fact that Goodell will be getting the overly generous $1 salary during the lockout. Let’s face it, anyone charged with overseeing a business generating $9 billion a year in profits that allows that business to shut down, should not even get paid $1 for their efforts.

March 12, 2011 |1 Comment NFL

QUICK KICK: Please Roger, No More Letters to the Fans

by Scott Weiss

Owner’s Rep Goodell had the nerve to write another open letter to the fans last night, after navigating the NFL to arguably the most moronic work stoppage in the history of professional sports. Allowing the league that he oversees to shut down while making $9 billion a year in profits is unforgiveable. Why in the world is the supposed ‘commissioner’ of the NFL only representing the interests of the owners? A commissioner should be the caretaker of the sport representing not only the owner’s interests, but also those of the players and the fans.

As a sports fan, I am calling for Mr. Goodell to immediately resign his position. A new and legitimate commissioner should then be selected and hired by representatives of the owners, players and the fans. I hate to say it, Roger, but your promise to receive a $1 salary if there is a work stoppage in the NFL would be an incredible over payment. Spare us your letters and step down from your position.

If you want to get yourself aggravated, read Mr. Goodell’s letter here.

Scott Weiss is the Local Chapter Chair for SFC-New York/New Jersey and an SFC Sportwriter Fellow. He has been involved in the sports fans advocacy movement since 2000. He is a life long fan of the Mets, Jets, Knicks, and Rangers

February 23, 2011 |No Comments Blog, Issues, NFL, Uncategorized

What Do You Want from New NFL Labor Agreement?

Neither the NFL nor NFLPA has formally responded to our request that fans have a representative in the negotiating room, even though both sides promised to respond. I met with DeMaurice Smith yesterday and he said that the NFLPA would respond on Monday. (Still haven’t heard from the NFL since spokesman Greg Aiello said they would respond.)

We are still very hopeful that both sides will acknowledge the generous investment fans around the country have made to help build this game into the most popular sport in America and choose to include fans in the process.

So I put it to you — if you were seated at the negotiating table with the NFL and NFLPA, what would you want to see included in a new Collective Bargaining Agreement?

I will start by saying that my first priority would be to get both sides to eliminate the NFL blackout rule, which prevents fans in local markets from seeing games if the stadium isn’t sold out. The rule is archaic and even counter-productive. How can you grow a fan base if your fans can’t see the games? Many of these fans would love to come to the games but due to the economic recession and the ever increasing price of NFL tickets, they cannot afford it. Further, the revenue generated from these seats is just a drop in the bucket compared to television revenues.

But more than being misguided, it’s completely unethical considering that taxpayers in virtually every NFL stadium helped subsidize the stadium. Fans have demonstrated their loyalty by agreeing to finance an NFL stadium.

There are all sorts of other issues that need to be addressed on behalf of fans — the proposal for 18 game-season, personal seat licenses, teams relocating to other cities, etc. (Here’s a humorous list of other demands.)

So what would you like the new CBA to include?

Comment below or email me at brian@sportsfans.org. I’m even happy to publish guest blogs on this subject if you are inspired. I can assure you that the heads of both the NFL and NFLPA will hear our list of demands for the new CBA one way or another.

–

Brian Frederick is the Executive Director of Sports Fans Coalition. He holds a Ph.D. in Communication and lives in Washington, D.C. Email him at brian@sportsfans.org and follow him on Twitter here.

February 23, 2011 |No Comments Blog, Issues, NFL

SportsFans.org’s Frederick Meets With DeMaurice Smith

At the conclusion of Tuesday’s mediation session between NFL players and owners, NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith approached Sports Fans Coalition head Brian Frederick and asked to talk to him. Frederick and Smith talked on the way back to and inside the NFLPA’s headquarters in Washington. Frederick said:

“DeMaurice and I had a very good talk. He praised the letter we had written on behalf of fans asking that a fan representative be present in the room during negotiations. He said that the NFLPA will formally respond to our letter on Monday but was interested in hearing more about our efforts to save next season. I found him to be very interested in making sure fans’ best interests are taken into consideration.”

Frederick still has not met with NFL head Roger Goodell, although he personally handed the letter to Goodell before Monday’s session.

February 19, 2011 |No Comments NFL

QUICK KICK: NFL-NFLPA Begin Seven Consecutive Days of Talks

by Scott Weiss

Friday was the first day of what is supposed to be seven consecutive days of labor talks between the NFL and NFLPA under the guidance of a federal mediator. It is important to note that the mediation is non-binding. With the labor talks being right in Washington, D.C., it is the perfect opportunity for the two sides to acknowledge Sports Fans Coalition’s representation in this process on behalf of football fans. Instead, the NFL and NFLPA have chosen not to respond to SFC’s request for a seat at the talks, and have instituted a media blackout on progress reports.

Please, spare us DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell, and stop telling everyone how much you care and respect the fans. When you welcome us into your exclusionary club and give fans a real voice, only then will we believe your “we love the fans” rhetoric.

Read the full story here.

February 15, 2011 |No Comments NFL

NFL’s Turn to be Litigious

by Scott Weiss

I know that I am but a mere football fan, but I am so damned confused. Maybe our rocket scientist of an NFL Commissioner can set me straight. It was just a few short weeks ago on January 18th that the owner’s rep, better known as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had this to say: “This is not going to get resolved through litigation. It will get resolved through negotiation.”

Here’s where my confusion comes into play related to this latest salvo fired by the NFL. “NFL spokesman Greg Aiello has confirmed that the league has filed with the National Labor Relations Board a charge of unfair labor practices. The league claims that the NFLPA has failed to bargain in good faith as a result of a strategy to decertify and file antitrust litigation against the league.”

I am really starting to tear up thinking what I am thinking right now. I think that Mr. Goodell may have lied to us football fans. I think that he might have spoken out of both sides of his mouth. On second thought, I’m not going to cry over yet another injustice toward football fans. I’m going to fight like hell alongside www.SportsFans.org to help give fans a powerful united voice.

I’m not interested in any more lawsuits filed by either the NFL or NFLPA. I’m not interested anymore in the name calling going on between the two sides. I’m not interested anymore in the threat of a lockout. What I am interested in is this grassroots sports fans advocacy movement (SportsFans.org) that is growing each and every day. As a football fan, if you really want to make a difference go to www.SaveNextSeason.com and sign the petition to help save the 2011 NFL season from a work stoppage.

Scott Weiss is the Local Chapter Chair for SFC-New York/New Jersey and an SFC Sportwriter Fellow. He has been involved in the sports fans advocacy movement since 2000. He is a life long fan of the Mets, Jets, Knicks, and Rangers.

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