Can fans save the 2011 season?

by einman77 on Jan 19, 2011 9:32 PM EST

Mostly due to the lock-out and some of the crap that owners pull, I have been following this site that calls themselves the Sports Fans Coalition. They just launched a petition to save next season, which basically demands that both side agree to play the season. Honestly, I'm kind of skeptical about the power that that this type of thing has. I also have heard some questionable funding about the "coalition" but I can understand that they are starting up and need to establish themselves before they can truely be an independent non-profit. Honestly, I don't care too much about their funding if they can actually help to save next season. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about football, and to have it taken away would be beyond disappointing.

One thing I do know is that these type of disputes are getting out of hand. We sit here and watch these guys try and pile more and more money onto these contracts that most people would probably kill to have in terms of the players. The flip side is watching these owners and sipher more and more money in increasingly jaw dropping fashion from fans and the general public. The bottom line is everyone knows that they are both getting all of thier money because ot the fans, but we don't have a voice. So far, Sports Fans Coalition is the only venture that I have seen that is actually trying to organize fans in this fashion, so I thought I would post this and see what others have to say. I definitely would like to be part of something that aspires to fans actually having some say in these matters, as right now I just sit frustrated and dumbfounded about these kinds of situations. It really hit me a few years ago when hockey was locked out, and now football, the king of American sports (and by virue, king of all sports all over the world ever), is headed the same way. Anyway, opinions about this or ideas about other organizations would be helpful.

Also, if anyone is interested, this is probably the most comprehensive article I have read about the situation.

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We’ve got the power to stop it, we’re just too divided and not united enough to do it. Think about it, we’re the cash cow, we’re what makes this entire thing go and if fans were somehow able to show owners that a lockout would damage the cash cow I can promise you things would move a long a lot more swiftly. Fans are what drives the NFL, without us there is no money to even argue over.

Merry Vickmas everyone! * Falls into pile of snow DeSean style *

"It's simple, ... I'm always striving to do more. Whatever I accomplish, it's not enough. I don't get satisfied. That's not my nature." -Brian Dawkins

by d-jackfan10 on Jan 19, 2011 9:38 PM EST reply actions

I got that

Did you read the post or just the title?

Currently searching for a better signature.

by einman77 on Jan 19, 2011 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

Just the title lol, I have a low attention span…

Merry Vickmas everyone! * Falls into pile of snow DeSean style *

"It's simple, ... I'm always striving to do more. Whatever I accomplish, it's not enough. I don't get satisfied. That's not my nature." -Brian Dawkins

by d-jackfan10 on Jan 19, 2011 9:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

ouch

by Ralf E Chubbs on Jan 20, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

It really is money

Petitions and such will do no good. You gotta withhold the money. The problem is that the fans are not united and there are too many that will pay the money no matter what happens. These are the things the fans could do.

Don’t go to games. Even if the tickets are paid for, no concessions, etc.
Don’t watch the games on TV. Lower ratings will piss sponsors off.
Don’t buy any NFL merchandise.

Like I said, the above is all a pipe dream and will never happen, but that’s what has to happen. That jackass Jerry Jones is betting that it won’t. He came out and said that a lockout would not be disastrous. And I didn’t think that I could despise him more than I already did.

So, we’re stuck with the reality that a deal will be done at some point. Both sides will complain that the got the shaft when in really it’s the fans who will take it up the rear.

Sorry to be so cynical but that’s how I see it.

Go Eagles!

by MRPH on Jan 19, 2011 10:06 PM EST reply actions

Wow, I butchered the grammar on that one

But I think that you get the point.

Go Eagles!

by MRPH on Jan 19, 2011 10:07 PM EST up reply actions

I was thinking the same thing

Really, it’s the money that makes this whole thing so contentious. They know that we will keep buying tickets and keep watching the games. Anyone who drops thier Eagles season tickets to try and hurt the owners is only shooting themselves in the foot. Same goes if your’re paying for them and not going to games. Jaguars fans can get away with it, but I doubt thier owner has any say in the meetings. Still, if these guys have no real power, why are they going to all the trouble to get this thing off the ground?

Currently searching for a better signature.

by einman77 on Jan 19, 2011 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

We can not stop it.

The owners want to see to the death of more players by refusing to kick in for health care. The owners want to shit on the memories of the vets by kicking them to the curb and fucking them into oblivion. The owners want to ensure that their 18 game schedule gets in. The 2011 season is doomed.

"You have been banned from Big Blue View...for rightly telling us a) what a shitsack blog we run and b) what a shitsack team we root for"

Q: What do a leaky tampon and Sean McDermott's defense have in common?
A: They are equally ineffective in the red zone.

by EvilBanner on Jan 19, 2011 10:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

Kind of perplexed but not surprised by the stupid greed of the owners. Labor peace requires you generally to give up something to get something. In this case, the owners don’t want to give the players really much of anything and expect them to give a fair amount in return.

by MG77 on Jan 19, 2011 10:54 PM EST up reply actions

That's the amazing part

When I heard that they were pushing for the 18 game schedule I thought that would make sense, that the pie would be bigger and more to go around. When it comes down to it though, seems like they are saying “The pie is going to bigger, but you’ll just get less of it. Here’s your fork.” That’s crap, but really I would trade the shit that I am eating any day of the week for a pie of that pie that they are fighting over.

Currently searching for a better signature.

by einman77 on Jan 19, 2011 11:32 PM EST up reply actions

The 18 game schedule is a stupid idea

The playoffs will come down to a battle of attrition. Having a healthy team will out weigh having a good team. The playoffs will start looking like the replacement games from the strike season. As it is now when I am watching the Eagles games I hold my breath every time a guy is down on the turf.

But as I said above, many fans won’t like it, but there are enough that will pay big money even for a diluted product. The owners know this.

Go Eagles!

by MRPH on Jan 20, 2011 7:14 AM EST up reply actions

This is a well-phrased rationale for why 18 games is a bad idea.

At the end of an 18 game season, there will be so many players on IR that it will look like the USFL (or worse, the XFL) out there. The 18 game season will completely dilute the product and demonstrably shorten careers. But I actually think that the NFL wants shorter player careers to have fewer players vested in the pension system.

"You have been banned from Big Blue View...for rightly telling us a) what a shitsack blog we run and b) what a shitsack team we root for"

Q: What do a leaky tampon and Sean McDermott's defense have in common?
A: They are equally ineffective in the red zone.

by EvilBanner on Jan 20, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

The owners and Goddell

Are simply crushing the other major sports in this country right now. The only other competitor is college football.

I am almost 95% convinced there is going to be a work stoppage this year. Just a question of whether they play any substitute games with scabs. I don’t think that happens but I do think the owners are in for a rude surprise in just how much of the public will be against them. My bet is that it will 75-80% in favor of the players. Maybe even more.

by MG77 on Jan 20, 2011 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

evilbanner

i think u are right on most things

okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider

by j-man on Jan 26, 2011 9:14 PM EST up reply actions

Idk if the eagles could handle a 18 game season

they can barley handle 16

If Revis has an Island, Asomugha should have a continent.

by number5 on Jan 20, 2011 12:24 AM EST reply actions

No

Anybody who thinks signing a petition will make the NFL play next year is an idiot. I’m sorry but it’s true. The only time petitions worked were when you had a bunch of your classmates sign a paper to have brownies offered at lunch in high school or something like that.

We should be fine, we should be fine, we should be fine…

by jman07 on Jan 20, 2011 11:15 AM EST reply actions

Umm brownies................

where do I sign?

Cowboys suck.

by stinkypants on Jan 20, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

Honestly,

It was the cupcakes that always reeled me in

"Get 'Em"

by FlyEagles15 on Jan 20, 2011 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

Dude... WTF is up with the name???

J-man is a legend around here.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 20, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

I've had this name for quite awhile now

I just don’t comment around here all that often.

We should be fine, we should be fine, we should be fine…

by jman07 on Jan 21, 2011 6:38 AM EST up reply actions

LOL, it's alright. I'm messing with you.

I’ve seen you before.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 21, 2011 8:45 AM EST up reply actions

SB Nation needs a sarcasm button haha

We should be fine, we should be fine, we should be fine…

by jman07 on Jan 21, 2011 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

LOL, you can only take me seriously about 50% of the time,

unless I’m serious then you can bump that up to 75% of the time.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 21, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

I'm certainly skeptical

but your lack of reasoning doesn’t give way to any evidence. That being said, I’ll take some brownies.

Currently searching for a better signature.

by einman77 on Jan 21, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

What reasoning is needed?

Do you honestly believe that billionaire owners give a rat’s ass about the fans? Do you think that Jerry Jones is sitting in his mansion thinking, “Oh golly gee, the fans will be upset if we don’t play football next year”?

We should be fine, we should be fine, we should be fine…

by jman07 on Jan 21, 2011 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry

I just realized that I could be coming off as a douche. I just find it hard to believe that the owners or players are particularly concerned how the lockout will affect the fans. Every person in America could sign this petition and it will have no bearing on the negotiations.

We should be fine, we should be fine, we should be fine…

by jman07 on Jan 21, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

Shoot, I wrote what I did below, then read this. I really don’t think something like this will work. The only way that the fans would really have a voice is if everyone just stopped renewing season tickets. That would send a loud and clear message. I was just hopeful something outside of that could be done because there’s no way that’s happening.

Currently searching for a better signature.

by einman77 on Jan 23, 2011 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know

The way you put it, no. But the owners aren’t scared because the fans don’t have any unity. When I see sometheing like this ;

Anybody who thinks signing a petition will make the NFL play next year is an idiot. I’m sorry but it’s true.

and then not backed up with anything, I read “I am overopinionated and will blast anyone who doesn’t share my opinion, regardless if I have anythinng to back it up with.” Your argument says more about you than the situation, thus without any real foundation or grasp of how grassroots movements work, I am disinclined to believe you.

Currently searching for a better signature.

by einman77 on Jan 23, 2011 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

The only way I could see this working is

if everyone with twitters tells goodell this is a crock of shit. It works on some other league commishs. or promoters i guess dana white does suggestions from twitter all the time.

UDDDDAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Η κόλαση δεν έχει μυστικά

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!!!!!!

"fuk u i hate peas"- CNCITINFO (Random BGN troll)

by Udalango on Jan 20, 2011 7:54 PM EST reply actions