In NFL, fault lies with its players

The Washington Times ^ | 7-2-04 | Tom Knott

[Ditto]

It’s easy to villianize politicians for tax-payer funded stadiums but the fact is they almost always have the consent of the tax-payers. All of the stadiums built within the last 20 years have had the support of the majority of the tax-payers in the affected area (the only POSSIBLE exception being the Milwaukee Brewers new stadium - but that’s not football).

I'm not sure where you got your stats, but even in football crazy Pittsburgh, the ballot measure for public financing for new sports stadiums (football & baseball) was defeated by a 3 - 1 margin. It was the politicians who ignored the will of the people and found a way to do it with taxpayer money anyway. Off the top of my head, I can't recall voters approving these stadium give aways in any city.

Politicians love big publically financed construction projects --- lot's of kick back potential.

[Forgotten Amendments]

The NFL OWNS Tom Knott. They OWN everyone on ESPN. It makes me sick.

He may be an obnoxious lefty, but Brian Gumble is one of the few voices out there willing to take on the NFL Mafia.

In a couple of generations football will die like boxing is now. It is a vulgar, brutal spectacle now, not the sport I used to love.

[BurbankKarl]

I heard last season that over 50 NFL players have been arrested during the off season.

Does the NFL owe them criminal lawyers too?

[lonestar]

I read in the paper yesterday that Earl Campbell needs help getting out of a car and uses a walker and is followed by an aide with a wheel chair which he often needs.

He said because he was smart to turn finances over to his wife years ago, he is doing fine financially.

[Publius Valerius]

All of the stadiums built within the last 20 years have had the support of the majority of the tax-payers in the affected area

What do you base this on? The tax to pay for the Colts' new stadium was not a public referendum, and there is certainly some hostility in central Indiana towards that tax. In fact, if it were put to a vote, I'm not sure it would have passed.

[bmwcyle]

It is time to turn off sports and let it die.

[dfwgator]

If I were a college football player who could play in the NFL, the smart thing to do is sign one contract for a few years, and then that’s it. Take the money and get out early.

[Spok]

“ex-players are claiming a LEGAL right to more money from the league”

Which makes it a private, legal matter that should be resolved in the courts. If Congress acts on behalf of football players, how long before they’re asking for a financial safety net for failed actors and rock stars? In the entertainment industry, which includes sports, everyone knows the risks are as great as the potential rewards.

[Ditto]

My impression is that the revised Pittsburgh deal was to be financed mostly with private $$ -

No. They juggled the original figures to make it appear that the teams were putting more money in, but then gave the teams more dollars from concessions etc.

In the last year, they had an offer on the table from a private developer to build a new hockey arena in Pittsburgh in return for a license for a slots casino in the city. The Penguins supported him --- most of the people in the city including hockey fans said that made sense. Guess what --- the politicians turned him down and went with some other bid for the casino and then they turned around and financed a new arena with public money.

Like I said, they love big government financed construction projects -- prevailing wage for their union masters and lots of kick back potential from contractors. If it were built with private dollars, the politicians don't get their cut.

[jpl]

My opinion: I think that many of today’s pro athletes who earn sums of money Mike Ditka and his cohorts could never have dreamed of in their time are going to end up destitute in their old age as well, because the concept of saving money simply doesn’t exist in their world view.

[Ditto]

If I were a college football player who could play in the NFL, the smart thing to do is sign one contract for a few years, and then that’s it. Take the money and get out early.

The average NFL "career" is only 3-1/2 years, but most are not retiring from the game voluntarily.

[Oberon]

What’s ironic is that when Ditka played, he played for George Halas...a man known for “throwing around nickels like they were manhole covers.”

[Publius Valerius]

That’s an old article—note the date. The stadium wasn’t paid for with money from slot machines, it was paid for by a tax increase.

The legislature couldn’t get the support for increased gambling in central Indiana, so it raised taxes.

[Dixie Yooper]

I think that many of today’s pro athletes who earn sums of money Mike Ditka and his cohorts could never have dreamed of in their time are going to end up destitute in their old age as well, because the concept of saving money simply doesn’t exist in their world view

It takes allot of money to support an entourage(crew) of criminals(Homies). They also need a really impressive house(crib)and fleet of fine cars (motorcade of SUV's w/ 25"spinner wheels). They also need to give all their friends diamond encrusted grilles to wear over their teeth.

It's fun to watch a sports fool and his money get parted, or the saga of Mike Tyson.

[Loud Mime]

NFL players love to hit hard as possible, way beyond what is necessary. Right, Jack Tatum?

[goldfinch]

My view: From a legal standpoint, the NFL does not owe the players from the 50s and 60s anything. From a human standpoint, the players in the 50s and 60s were very important in building the NHL into the cash cow it is now and they were paid peanuts in comparison with today's players. The NHL and the NHLPA used to have a 'hardship' fund, to help old players who had hit upon hard times. They should expand it.