NFL players told to save in case of 2011 lockout

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1967344

Mike Cranston, Associated Press Published: Sunday, September 06, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Scan the players' parking lot at America Stadium and you catch a glimpse of the luxury an NFL career can bring. Late-model Mercedes, Lexuses, foreign sports cars and souped-up SUVs with fancy rims take up nearly every space.

The Carolina Panthers are no different from the rest of the NFL. After years of skyrocketing salaries tied to booming league revenues, players have cashed in on being part of a hugely popular sport.

Yet with labour rhetoric rising and fears of a lengthy lockout in 2011, there's a much different message being sent to players by the union: The money spigot could soon be turned off.

"I think it's very important that we show some restraint on spending a lot of money and being frivolous," said receiver Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina's union representative. "I think young players need to worry about necessities, because after two years nothing is guaranteed."

With the owners deciding to trigger an early end to the collective bargaining agreement after the 2010 season, there are ominous predictions of a lengthy work stoppage that could wipe out the 2011 season - leaving players used to living in excess without any income.

"From our standpoint right now, you not only prepare for the worst, that seems like the direction it's headed," Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said. "If players aren't prepared, if guys are in bad financial situations, it hurts our leverage as players."

The situation has led to a burst of activity by the NFL Players Association. The union sent out a letter to players this summer talking about a "25-25 program." It suggests saving at least 25 percent of take-home pay this year and next to build a nest egg if the cheques - and benefits - disappear.

FULL story at link.

[Parche]

1. overpaid whiners

save the labor cause for the middle class workers

[JeanGrey]

2. Gee my heart breaks for them.

Not.

[SharonAnn]

3. The owners' incomes are not public for a reason. We'd know how much they're

getting on income from publicly built stadiums, special zoning and tax programs, concessions, parking, etc.

The owners are getting away with bank theft on this. If the players get a big salary and bonus, then good for them.

The owners are getting away with plenty more money than the players are.

[elocs]

4. As long as a gun is not being held to anyone's head, people deserve to get as much $ as they can.

That goes for all of us. I guarantee that there are DUers who if others knew how much money they made would say they are overpaid and not worth it.

Very few men will ever play NFL football. It is a rare talent and they deserve to be compensated for as much as they can get. I've no problem with that.

The average NFL career is only 3 1/2 years. That's it. I guessing that most do not become spoiled and pampered millionaires. The ones who are smart with their money and have a life's plan can put themselves in good shape even after only 3 1/2 years.

The owners willingly pay some players millions of dollars a season and I am sure that most of these owners are doing quite well making money from the talents of the very few who are ever good enough to become players in the NFL.

Unions are unions and their cause is basically the same. Outside of sports I am sure there are some unions whose members make far more money than other unions, but the goal of helping their members is the same.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Cry me a river..........