Ongoing CBA discussions

[hooskins]

SBXVII, just because players accept their contracts doesn't mean the owners aren't screwing them. The NFL provides the best option/salary but that may not be "fair". The players just have to accept the salary, after a bit of negotiating because it is not like they can go to another company and make a comparable salary(UFL, etc.). I realize fair is subjective, but that is why the NFLPA wants to see the books in full.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by hooskins

SBXVII, just because players accept their contracts doesn't mean the owners aren't screwing them. The NFL provides the best option/salary but that may not be "fair". The players just have to accept the salary, after a bit of negotiating because it is not like they can go to another company and make a comparable salary(UFL, etc.). I realize fair is subjective, but that is why the NFLPA wants to see the books in full.

Understood. I guess my problem with this is most unions are lobbying for pay raises, ie; 5% or 10% pay raises because the employees are payed close to the same hourly rate or close and have not had a raise or decent raise in a while. Sometimes it's insurance and how much coverage the employee gets. Then there is the issue of retirement benifits. I'm having difficulty with the employee demanding to see the company books because he wants to make sure all the employees are getting their 50 or 60%. especially when in reality it doesn't matter. Why? Because each player has an agent and each agent lobbies for the best contract his client can get. Where not talking about a union argueing for the $10 to $20 dollar an hour employee were talking about a $400,000+ a year salary job to millions that their agent brokered for. If they don't like the dollar amount they have 31 other teams to try and get what they want ..... unless their skills have dwindled. But my point is they are not set at the same hourly rate for 10 to 20 years and need a union to make sure owners are giving them raises when in fact if they don't get a decent contract their first time they usually do in their second unless they suck. But in any event a team is not going to say hey I know you only want 3 mill a year but because I have to meet the 60% rule according to your union I'll have to pay you 6mill a year. < That ain't going to happen. No different then the players saying "oh I know I'm asking for 6 mill a year but because that will put you spending 61% of your revenue towards salaries I'll take the 3 mill a year so you don't go over." < That ain't happening either. So in reality the 50 or 60% rule is only for the teams who chose to be cheap and not put the majority of their money towards player salaries. But that wouldn't really matter because those teams would be trying to get said free agents at a cheap price and basically get out bid all the time... ie; Like the Bills or dare I say Pateiots who prefer draft picks over high priced free agents.