NFL Lockout and the Fans - Research Paper Example

The lockout has led to uncertainties about the game of football which is eagerly awaited by the fans. In the war between the owners and the players, the ultimate burden is borne by the potential audience and other fans who have invested in products and services related to the sport. Before understanding the problem it is important to understand the significance of the ‘Final League Year’ that is 2010. In this year salary caps would not exist but there will be noteworthy restrictions of the lessening of players’ benefits.

After this year the club will be free from its commitment to finance the different programs such as second career savings, severance and performance based pay etc. The payment made by the league for funding of such plans comprise of above $10 million for each club. The problem has culminated mainly into that of disputes between workers and employers. After the 1974 season this occurred again when the season’s sport was awaiting a halt. The District Court of US instructed the league to operate again.

But without the CBA the confused persists and there are no ceilings or floor of payments and no benefit schemes. The scheduled game between Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium of London lie challenged especially if the problem is not resolved by September 8, 2011 (Battista). A review of the major concerns which preside over the lockout points out the disagreement on the division of $9.3 billion annual revenues between the two parties (league owners and the players). The players believe themselves to be major contributors to the game and the success of the league.

They help the owners become rich. The owners on the other hand were more obsessed with the money they saw flowing in and did not ant to spend a substantial part on the players’ benefits. They believe it is more important to spend the money on stadiums and other infrastructures rather than submitting to their obligation in providing financial securities to the players. Also the owners might be blamed for paying less and venturing to make them play more games a season. One of the ethical issues concerns the players’ access to financial information which has been restricted by the owners (Maske).

Till now the advantages stood in favor to the players but now they are inclined towards the owners who have the upper hand or dominating position. The court granted the league their original request for a temporary stay of order in April. After a month’s discussion the league made a second proposal to end the deadlock. The players were initially reluctant especially after the decision of Nelson but at present they have little option but to take the proposal of the league seriously. However the season 2011 is still not confirmed (Wilson).

At this juncture, Bryant observes that the fans have learned the lesson, “those who own the teams, the commissioner who runs the league and, to a far lesser extent, the players who run the routes, sack the quarterbacks and score the touchdowns have so little perspective that they believe their inability to divide the $9 billion is, in the real world, important. We all know better.” (Bryant) Both the sides need to respect the people who spend their money buying tickets and sport