[AnotherUnixGeek]

It's time to END the Player's Union and REPAIR the NFL

I really don't sympathize with either side in the NFL - these are private businesses dealing with private employee unions. But I find the owners slightly more odious than the players this time - the owners are the ones requesting big changes in the agreement terms.

One of the owner demands is an 18 game schedule - they're reacting to the anger of season ticket holders (who are required to pay full price for two pre-season games every year) by diluting the regular season even more. Starters who would be sitting for those two pre-season games will now be on the field, increasing the likelihood that more will be injured heading into the playoffs and all will be more tired. It's a lousy idea, and it deserves to be defeated.

[GourmetDan]

"But I find the owners slightly more odious than the players this time - the owners are the ones requesting big changes in the agreement terms."

People complain about the salaries the players make, but any dollar not paid to the players ends up in "guess who's" pocket?

[crosslink]

Here is what I would do as an owner, I would institute a union pay scale based on years of service. This would mean if you are a 10 year player like Tom Brady you make the same as a punter with 10 years of service. I would also change the draft to draft all the older players as cuts would be based on years of service so no rookie would make the team. This would be fun to see as over 66% of all money paid to players goes to the top 10% of the roster. This would pit 90% of the working families in football against the elite rich players. (sarcasim)