Back to sports...

So, it's obviously been quite a while since I hit on a sports topic. A major part of that is the fact that I was in Thailand, and then writing lots about Thailand once I returned. However, it's also a result of the fact that it's been a while since I had my interest really attracted by a particular sports story. That's probably partly a result of not being able to get AM radio at work, and thus not being as tuned in to stories that aren't necessarily the top couple going on.

But anyhow, this article and the story that it sums up pretty well has attracted my attention. The article contains NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the chosen representative of NFL ownership stating how "ridiculous" the kind of contracts that are currently being handing out to NFL rookies in the draft are. The main point of the argument is the comparison of what high draft picks, who have never played a down in the NFL, like this year's #1 Jake Long, are making relative to the star veterans who have been producing for years. The NFL owners recently opted out of the league's collective bargaining agreement, and it seems clear that one of the key items in negotiating for a new deal will be some sort of restraint on rookie contracts, perhaps a rookie salary scale similar to what the NBA has.

On it's face, the argument makes sense, and I really agree. It doesn't make a ton of sense to be paying these draft picks like they are stars, particularly given the number of high draft picks that never really live up to their draft status. Jake Long is getting paid more than just about every player in the NFL at his tackle position, and will be guaranteed 30 million dollars no matter what his career turns out to be. That's crazy. And yet, I totally understand the point of view from the players, and why they continue to fight (including holding out) for these kind of deals. Unlike the other major sports leagues, NFL contracts are not guaranteed from year to year, so even if a guy signs a 5 year deal, there's nothing to keep a team from dropping him after year one and not owing any more of his yearly salaries. When you add in the fragility of NFL careers relative to other sports, I totally understand and support NFL players trying to get everything they can (with as many guarantees as possible) at any opportunity.

What catches my eye about Goodell's comments, however, is this simple fact - the owners whom he represents are not having a gun held to their head forcing them to shell out these big contracts. Last time I checked, they controlled the finances here. And this isn't like major league baseball, where teams have no firm restraints on what they are allowed to spend. Furthermore, these are draftees, so they aren't negotiating with them in a free market. The only choice a drafted player has is to sign a contract with the team that drafted him, or sit out an entire year, go back into the draft, and basically start the whole process over. That's just not a great play.

Let me be clear - if the owners and players are able to come to some agreement on rookie salaries and want to implement it, I'm perfectly fine with that, that's how the system works. And the reality is that it shouldn't be that difficult to come to some agreement, because cutting back on rookie contracts would leave more money for veteran players, who obviously comprise the majority of the players union membership at any given fine. However, it's hard for me to work up too much sympathy for owners who are, in essence, complaining about the results of their own collective lack of restraint.