If the NFL lockout wasn’t already feeling like an episode of as the world turns, a twist was added when the NFLPA declared a decertification nearly a month ago. This has been followed by a drastic change when the organization “redirected web surfers from nflpa.org or nflplayers.com to www.NFLlockout.com" stated USA Today. What is the NFLPA exactly? Well, I am glad you asked; it stands for the National Football League Players Association. This organization plays a major part in making the NFL a powerhouse business. Around the 1950’s football players wanted an increase in pay along with other requests, so they asked the formal general manager Creighton Miller to help them obtain these entreats from the league. His assistance was needed because at the time, players had no one looking out for their rights; similarly, the player’s demands triggered some of the same events that the league is experiencing today. However, the players and the NFL were able to reach an agreement and the NFL union (NFLPA) was formed.
Still to this day, down to this very minute the NFLPA is experiencing déjà vu from the 1950’s. However, the end to this story is yet to be revealed. As I stated before, the NFLPA plays an important role in making major decisions of whether these negotiations will go left or right. For example, by the association declaring decertification they are no longer a union and according to NBC Sports, the organization cannot represent the players during any filing or suspensions. Before the decertification, the owners made a decision to lock the players out of the facilities; therefore players are have been forced to workout by other means. Therefore, the decertification allows players to file individual antitrust suits and request an injunction that would hopefully force the league to continue to operate as normal. The NFLPA influences are also affecting the upcoming NFL draft. If the decertification and website change was not enough, the player’s association along with some of the players is trying to convince college prospects of this year’s draft to boycott the event. According to Schefter, the player’s association “has gone so far as to consider placing the players on another competing network to do post-pick interviews though no final decision has been made.” Therefore, ESPN and the NFL Networks will not have the opportunity to interview the players, which will probably cause a fluctuation towards their television ratings on draft day. In addition to other companies that bank on using these rookies such as Cam Newton to be the face for their company products will be losing out on revenue as well as new consumers.
The NFLPA has since dissolved and does not have any authority over the soon to be professional athletes; however, the association’s actions and commitment over the years has proven that the organization is determined to fight for player’s rights in receiving equal compensation for their hard work on the field. I believe that the NFLPA are very much aware of the effects that their decisions have on the different affliction to the NFL. Unfortunately sports fans, all we can do is hope that the NFLPA and the owners will come to their senses and stand up for what is right.
As always, see you in September?
-The Sportsnista ‘95
Reference:
Photo:
Brown, L. (2011). NFLPA using threat of future decertification to keep agents in check. Retrieved April 6, 2011 from http://larrybrownsports.com/football/nflpa-using-threat-of-future-decertification-to-keep-agents-in-check/58586
No comments:
Post a Comment