NFL owners' false labor pains

[n2doc]

By Rick Reilly
ESPN.com

It's hard to find anybody to like in this coming distraction known as the NFL lockout. But look closely. Yes, some of the players are millionaires. But half of the owners are billionaires.

Their estimated combined net worth is well over $40 billion, which is more than the GNP of 150 nations. Paul Allen, owner of the Seattle Seahawks, has a 414-foot yacht called "The Octopus" with two helicopters, two submarines, a swimming pool, a music studio and a basketball court. He also has two backup emergency yachts.

You're really worried about his wallet?

Yes, many of the players are diamond-coated knuckleheads. But have you ever met Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder? He's worth $1.1 billion and yet, two years ago, the Redskins sued a 73-year-old grandmother for not keeping up on her season-ticket package payments.

For the owners to lock out the players at this time in American history is unconscionable. You don't like the players? Fine. There are still nearly 9 percent of Americans out of work. Think of the people who've lost their homes, lost their cars and can barely pay the rent. Watching an NFL game on a Sunday -- and getting ready for it all week -- is sometimes literally the only thing keeping them going.

Do you realize what having no NFL season would do to the economy? According to the NFLPA, it's estimated it would cost each NFL city $160 million and 3,000 jobs. That's 93,000 jobs nationwide. For what? Another Aspen chalet?

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http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6177574

[texshelters]

1. The owners are greed bastards and the players

are trying to get their share. Are some players overreaching? Sure. Is there a major problem with rookie salaries? Absolutely. But in general, the owners aren't doing this out of hardship, they are trying to increase their profit margins. They are capitalist billionaires trying to squeeze the fans.

Who needs football? Watch the grass grow. It's cheaper and now of the money goes to Fox.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[CrossChris]

2. What sad is that players have already given ground on rookie salaries.

Like the Wisconsin workers, even when they make the financial concessions that are asked for, ownership is only interested in busting the union.