DMD Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/1519219...de-in-nfl-talks Miles left to travel, but real progress made in NFL talks By Mike Freeman CBSSports.com National Columnist It's not time to break out the party hats just yet. Or your team underwear. Or that stinky jersey you tossed into the back of the closet out of frustration from watching rich men and even richer men fighting over billions. But maybe, just maybe, you might want to put that champagne glass, and Fantasy scouting report, within arm's reach. There is a still a great deal of work to do, and any progress could unravel any day, hour or minute, but it appears NFL owners and players have made significant headway in reaching a new labor agreement, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. One high-ranking member of the former union estimated to me a new deal could be reached within two to three weeks. "This is the most optimistic I've been in many months," he said. But, like many sources, he urged extreme caution, saying talks could easily break down, and weeks from now we could be back at the beginning, with the name-calling and the ticking clock. "There's a great deal of animosity to work through," he said. That's putting it mildly, but in recent days, as training camps approached, and both owners and players saw the frightening but realistic prospect of missed games on the horizon, negotiations have been able to cut through that distrust like a steel-hulled ship through Arctic ice. In essence, what tore the two sides apart -- money -- might bring them back together. Initially, the fight was about owners and players wanting to keep more of it. Now, they've become civil over the fear of losing it. These recent talks have been more productive than all the other discussions and mediations combined, the official said. This has allowed the two sides to proceed at a more urgent pace than before. Jerry Jones is likely eager to get a deal done to avoid lost gate receipts that can help pay for his stadium. (AP) What could slow the progress is the ruling of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals expected sometime in early July. I'm told both sides may want to wait and see how the court rules on the lockout before finalizing any deal. Progress might also be delayed by good, old-fashioned distrust, which could raise its ugly head at any time. Nevertheless, progress was definitely made. The largest sign this negotiation was radically more successful than others was the announcement by Judge Arthur Boylan, who canceled mediation set for next week, saying the owners and players were in settlement discussions. The NFL and NFLPA later released a joint statement confirming the two sides had been in talks. Owners and players issuing joint anything is akin to cats and dogs living together. Based on discussions with several different sources, there are three main reasons there has been some movement. First, and most important, the key lawyers for both sides weren't present during these rounds of talks. Jeff Pash, lawyer for the owners, is particularly despised by trade association officials. Second, owners with more at stake in the lockout, like New England's Robert Kraft and Jerry Jones from Dallas, have in recent weeks been able to sway some of the more hard-line small-market owners to more moderate positions. Owners like Jones, who have billion-dollar stadiums, can't afford to miss games, because missed games could potentially lead to missed payments on stadium debt. Kraft and Jones in particular have been very vocal in wanting to get a deal done sooner than later. Similarly, some players have spoken to NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith over the past few weeks, asking him to step up talks with the owners, and Smith did. Now the question becomes: Can the owners and players keep the momentum going? Or will months and years of distrust send this dispute back to the courts, where a season would likely be lost? There is a still a great distance to go, but don't cancel those Fantasy drafts just yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Owners like Jones, who have billion-dollar stadiums, can't afford to miss games, because missed games could potentially lead to missed payments on stadium debt. Kraft and Jones in particular have been very vocal in wanting to get a deal done sooner than later. And you guys were wondering when the players were going to crack without getting paid. Jones is ready to bend over any day now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditkaless Wonders Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 And you guys were wondering when the players were going to crack without getting paid. Jones is ready to bend over any day now. Perhaps you are correct, but I tend to doubt it. The owners have known this action was coming for quite some time. They have been preparing for it since around 2006. Further, his palace can at best be expected to host 2 preseason games, 8 regular season games, and maybe a playoff game. 11 dates, maybe. Football is a small % of the events hosted at a facility like that. Other events account for the greater portion of a stadium's revenue in most stadiums. Is he, or will he, feel a pinch, no doubt. But I imagine he can weather a storm. Yes he loses gate revenues, parking revenues, and T.V. money, but the stadium still generates revenue as does the Cowboys brand through merchandizing. His income flow will be reduced. The players will be essentially shut off except for those handful with endorsement deals. What I wonder is whether those endorsement deals are contingent upon the players having the exposure of actually playing. I would be surprised if there are not contingencies to reduce or negate the deals if players are not getting the exposure of play. Their endorsement value is, after all, contingent upon their exposure. Still, who can say? You may well be correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Perhaps you are correct, but I tend to doubt it. The owners have known this action was coming for quite some time. They have been preparing for it since around 2006. Further, his palace can at best be expected to host 2 preseason games, 8 regular season games, and maybe a playoff game. 11 dates, maybe. Football is a small % of the events hosted at a facility like that. Other events account for the greater portion of a stadium's revenue in most stadiums. Is he, or will he, feel a pinch, no doubt. But I imagine he can weather a storm. Yes he loses gate revenues, parking revenues, and T.V. money, but the stadium still generates revenue as does the Cowboys brand through merchandizing. His income flow will be reduced. The players will be essentially shut off except for those handful with endorsement deals. What I wonder is whether those endorsement deals are contingent upon the players having the exposure of actually playing. I would be surprised if there are not contingencies to reduce or negate the deals if players are not getting the exposure of play. Their endorsement value is, after all, contingent upon their exposure. Still, who can say? You may well be correct. Concacaf Gold Cup today Barcelona vs. Club America August 6 LSU vs. Oregon Sept. 3 Taylor Switf October 8 TCU vs. BYO October 28 They will have high school playoffs Otherwise that appears to be the remainder of the 2011 schedule. Sure, they can try and do something else on Sundays but I would think you have to leave Sundays open for football just in case the whole season isn't a bust. You figure 80,000 people for 8 games and it will be hard for whatever last-minute fillers to draw 640,000 people. I don't know how liquid Jerry is. I can't imagine he's been able to stash a bunch of cash while the stadium was being built so you would think he's going to notice. While I am sympathetic to the players' position, my preference would be a 2011 season. I hope the owners need a 2011 season. I hope the players do to. If both sides need a season we will have one for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 (edited) Based on discussions with several different sources, there are three main reasons there has been some movement. First, and most important, the key lawyers for both sides weren't present during these rounds of talks. [Captain Renault] I'm shocked - shocked! - to find that progress could be made without lawyers present [/Captain Renault] What was it that Shakespear said about lawyers? No offense to our GB DW of course Edited June 5, 2011 by Bronco Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 And you guys were wondering when the players were going to crack without getting paid. Jones is ready to bend over any day now. How is this possible? I have been told by an absolute authority on this matter that the owners have nothing to lose in the labor dispute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditkaless Wonders Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 [Captain Renault] I'm shocked - shocked! - to find that progress could be made without lawyers present [/Captain Renault] What was it that Shakespear said about lawyers? No offense to our GB DW of course None taken. The world would be better off without its three main bloodsuckers, lawyers, leeches, and mosquitos. One could add bankers as well, I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furd Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 None taken. The world would be better off without its three main bloodsuckers, lawyers, leeches, and mosquitos. One could add bankers as well, I suppose. What do your kids do when you die without a will? And who gets custody of them if something happens to you and your wife? What do you do when that business that you have a deal with breaches the contract that you worked out and your business is harmed? What about when your sister gets sexually harassed at work at a job that she needs? And if your doctor gives you the wrong medicine and you die, what then? Your wife and kids don't really need that income that you were providing to them. Oh right - without lawyers there would be no reason to have any laws, so I guess that you wouldn't need them. Never mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditkaless Wonders Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 (edited) What do your kids do when you die without a will? And who gets custody of them if something happens to you and your wife? What do you do when that business that you have a deal with breaches the contract that you worked out and your business is harmed? What about when your sister gets sexually harassed at work at a job that she needs? And if your doctor gives you the wrong medicine and you die, what then? Your wife and kids don't really need that income that you were providing to them. Oh right - without lawyers there would be no reason to have any laws, so I guess that you wouldn't need them. Never mind. And what about the member of the Crenshaw Street Mafia who shot down a man in cold blood, and his associate who did lkewise to another, injuring three others in the crossfire that killed a man. I spent all day in court with these Defendant's two days ago doing my best to see that a measure of justice is doled out for them. I was just having some fun, not meaning any insult to my own profession. Sorry you took a clear joke seriously. I meant no offense. Edited June 5, 2011 by Ditkaless Wonders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furd Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 And what about the member of the Crenshaw Street Mafia who shot down a man in cold blood, and his associate who did lkewise to another, injuring three others in the crossfire that killed a man. I spent all day in court with these Defendant's two days ago doing my best to see that a measure of justice is doled out for them. I was just having some fun, not meaning any insult to my own profession. Sorry you took a clear joke seriously. I meant no offense. No need to apologize. I must have missed the joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montster Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 No need to apologize. I must have missed the joke. Hey Furd, how can you tell if a lawyer is about to lie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackass Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 does anyone know what the next major event & the date in the progression of this lockout crap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted June 6, 2011 Author Share Posted June 6, 2011 does anyone know what the next major event & the date in the progression of this lockout crap? There is no fixed date on when the court will issue their ruling. Most assume it will be before July and July 4th is sort of looked on as a make or break date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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