Breaking Down the NFL Labor Situation

No NFL in 2011?  Highly unlikely.  But it's very possible that we see a much more sluggish brand of football being played as a result of a shortened training camp and (possibly) a longer season.  What's the beef about?  We'll give you an abbreviated version so you can throw in your two cents the next time the topic comes up.

• The Key Issue - There is one huge issue here: NFL owners want to take an additional $1 billion piece of the $9 billion dollar NFL "pie".  Currently, the owners get a $1 billion dollar piece of that pie right off the top, leaving $8 billion left over.  Of that $8 billion, players see about 60% of that.  The owners would like to take another piece, bringing their total to $2 billion.  They argue that growing expenses are cause for a larger cut of the revenue.  The players are asking to see the financial records of each team so they can decide whether or not it is in their best interest to allow the owners to claim this extra sum.  Why are players upset about this demand?  Essentially, it will lead to lower overall wages.  To sum it up: the owners are looking for more of a return on their investment, but the players at this point are hesitant to hand over money the owners may or may not need.
• Issue Two - You could throw a number of issues in here, but staying with the theme of financials (which is what it all boils down to), implementing a rookie pay scale is also a hot topic.  The league and its owners argue that unproven players should not be rewarded superstar money.  The players agree, but want to know exactly where the money saved will go.  Which brings us to...
• Issue Three - Retired player compensation has long been a topic that pits owners and both retired and current players head to head.  Players would like to see any additional owner revenue, whether it be by way of a rookie pay scale or an additional piece of the pie, to be devoted towards some kind of financial support for retired players.  Part of the owners argument is that in this day of free agency, what amount of time/service must a player commit to an individual franchise in order for that franchise to continue helping support them and their family when their career ends?
• Issue Four - Perhaps the most widely known topic, yet the one that is least likely to hold up an agreement, is the extension of the regular season from 16 to 18 games.  This touches on money and health.  On the health side, players argue that with all the rule changes and steps taken to ensure players stay healthy, what is the point of adding games?  Despite those concerns, the players have for the most part been open to the extension of the regular season...depending on where the extra revenue ends up going.  Players argue that if they are going to be forced to put themselves at risk an extra two times a year, they should be entitled to keep as close to their current share in revenue as possible.  Owners counter with the argument that more games also equals more costs, so having the extra revenue would lighten the financial blow.

Not much is cut and dry.  Yesterday, the owners walked out of their scheduled seven-hour meeting before lunch due to an offer from the players that did not sit well.  No other negotiations are scheduled, but expect talks to resume next week.