NFL Commissioner Reaches out to Players and Owners

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

Last week negotiations between the NFL players union and the owners completely fell apart as a scheduled meeting between the two parties never even took place. With a lockout eminent, in the opinion of most experts, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took an unusual step in addressing both sides via a written column in a newspaper.

Getting straight to the point, Goodell titled the article, “The time has come to make a deal”. The title stresses the commissioners main point, “We need an agreement that both sides can live with and obtain what they need, not simply what they want,” Goodell wrote. With each side currently not willing to give, the March 4^th deadline may see the beginning of the end for the 2011 season, unless Goodell’s message gets through.

Among other things, the owners are pushing for players to get a smaller percentage share of the revenue, and would like to extend the regular season by 2 games while taking 2 games out of the less profitable pre-season. Players are opposed to both ideas and are also pushing for improved health care, both during and after their careers in the league. Players are also seeking improvements in wage scales for first year players.

Goodell’s column went on to say,”The next few weeks must be used to negotiate with intensity and purpose so we can reach a fair agreement by March 4. If both sides compromise and give a little, everyone will get a lot, especially the fans.”