Monday, February 14, 2011

FSH NOTEBOOK: ON THE COVER

February 14th, 2011, Monday
On the Cover

NO FOOTBALL IN 2011?

Labor Talks Rescheduled?

What could be worse than no football in 2011, maybe finding out that Santa Claus is fictional or that SI.com has discontinued their swimsuit issue? How about no fantasy football in 2011? Either way it’s very worrisome to think that come this fall America’s most popular sport could be off the air.

The latest rumblings I have been reading would indicate that the Players Union and the league owners are far apart from reaching an agreement. With the impending deadline for the current agreement to expire, the clock is ticking and there doesn’t appear to be a lot of movement.

The two sides (League and Players’ Union) met last week only to cancel a scheduled bargaining session, although the current rumor has the two rescheduling. There’s doesn’t seem to be any promising developments at this time, but like most fans we are all hopeful the two sides can negotiate and reach an agreement.

It’s been more than 20 years since the league was disrupted with any labor strife; back in 1987 players went on strike, the owners brought in replacement players. With the deadline fast approaching, both sides far apart on many of the big issues, it’s looking like a tremendous uphill climb for the show to go on.

It may take some luck, a gesture of good faith, and some fancy parlor tricks for someone to get these two in the same room to take a hard look to see and understand, any kind of disruption is not only a huge financial loss for the two sides, but also a greater loss for the many fans of and for this great nation.

The game of American football is more than just a professional or recreational sport many folks enjoy watching and playing, for the loyal season-ticket holders, the fantasy football gamers, the average armchair quarterback, and the youth of today, the game is our passion; a passion that lives and breathes within us all and comes to life every late summer and leads us to one of the most celebrated Sundays of the year; Super Bowl Sunday.

Hopefully the League and player’s Union will realize and get a deal done soon.


By David Ortega

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