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LLT
06-09-2010, 04:04 AM
On the Steelers: Batch expects NFL lockout in March
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Charlie Batch is worried, and it has nothing to do with where he fits in the pecking order of the convoluted Steelers quarterback rotation, nothing to do with Ben Roethlisberger, nothing to do with the Steelers' prospects for 2010.

It has to do with the future of the National Football League, particularly the 2011 season.

Batch, the Steelers' representative to the NFL Players Association, believes the owners will lock out the players, and he believes it will happen in nine months.

"As we speak today, I think it would occur in March," Batch said Tuesday.

Batch has been sounding the warnings for one full year. He said last June at an NFL rookie symposium that he felt there was a 100 percent chance the owners would lock the players out in 2011, and he said Tuesday he has seen no progress since then.

"Nothing has changed. We're still there," Batch said. "The players continue to hear nothing different than what I've been relaying over the last year, and that's players anticipate a lockout."

He said NFLPA officials have advised the players to put money away for a work stoppage in 2011.

There has been no progress reported in what little negotiations have taken place to extend the collective bargaining agreement that expires at the end of the current NFL year in March. DeMaurice Smith, the new executive director of the union, has warned players of the chance of a lockout, saying the week of the Super Bowl that "on a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 14."

The current CBA was negotiated in 1993 and has been extended several times, most recently in 2006. In 2008, the owners voted unanimously to open up the CBA (an option for either side) and try to negotiate a new one before its March 2011 expiration. As part of the CBA, 2010 is an uncapped year in which team payrolls have no floor and no ceiling, and there are other new restrictions that have gone into place.

The players are now guaranteed 60 percent of the NFL's total gross revenues, and they want to keep it that way. The owners want to cut it back, saying their expenses have increased dramatically, and they no longer can afford the mandated 60 percent. Smith said that would mean an 18 percent pay cut for players.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has disputed that, saying player salaries will continue to increase as revenue does. The owners maintain that, because the players receive such a huge slice and their expenses have eaten into their profits, the incentive to "grow the game" has diminished.

"The principal issue is ensuring that the agreement is structured in a way that provides incentives for the clubs to invest, innovate and improve the game for the benefit of the fans over the long term," reads a statement on NFLlabor.com, produced by the league.

"The NFL clubs earn very substantial revenues. But they also have very substantial expenses. The largest of these expenses is player compensation. The clubs have been obligated by the CBA to spend more than half their revenues on player salaries and benefits. In addition, the clubs must spend significant and growing amounts on stadium construction, operations and improvements to respond to the interests and demands of our fans.

"The current labor agreement does not adequately recognize the costs of generating the revenues, the majority of which go to the players; nor does the agreement recognize that those costs have increased substantially -- and at an ever-increasing rate -- in recent years. As a result, under the terms of the current CBA, the clubs' incentive to invest in the game has been diminished."

Steelers president Art Rooney II, like his father before him, is on the NFL labor committee. Owners, however, are not permitted to comment on labor discussions and can be fined heavily by the league if they do.

Not so with the union and its members. Batch and others have pointed out ominously that the NFL hired outside counsel Bob Batterman, who handled negotiations for the NHL when that league shut down the entire 2004-05 season.

"It's clear where their stance is," Batch said.

"I've been telling people for over [a year], warning our players of a lockout, and there are no signs that say we're closer, and we're not. You can see by the comments from our executive director where he thinks the labor negotiations are. One thing DeMaurice has done, he's gotten the message out to the players so they're not hearing it through the media. He's trying to do everything in his power to get a deal done."

But that is not likely any time soon. Batch once thought the owners might wait until the regular season was set to start in September 2011 to lock them out, but now believes March is the key. That is when players begin collecting roster bonuses, delayed bonuses and, under normal circumstances, signing bonuses on new contracts and for free agents.

"I would like to think not because nobody wins in that situation," said Batch, citing all the revenue that would be lost not just by players but restaurants, stadium workers, etc. "Everybody should be trying to put a fair deal on the table. Both sides have to be honest as possible. It's not happening."

Quick hits
Batch's annual summer basketball camp for boys and girls ages 7-18 opens in his hometown of Homestead today and runs through July 24. Project C.H.U.C.K is the largest of the Best of the Batch Foundation programs, with 350 youths involved in the four-day-a-week basketball camp. ... Former Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend will hold his football/cheerleading camp and health fair Saturday at the Green Tree Sportsplex, open to youths 7-18. Several Steelers will serve as instructors, and the health fair is free and offers screenings for diabetes, vision, hearing and blood pressure. Call 412-551-8712 for more information. ... The Steelers swapped long snappers, signing Matt Stewart and releasing Jared Retkofsky. Stewart, 30, also has been a backup linebacker in the NFL. Veteran long-snapper Greg Warren has missed parts of the past two seasons with separate ACL knee surgeries but has returned to practice this spring. ... Troy Polamalu rejoined his teammates for OTAs, which took the form of bowling at a local lanes instead of practice Tuesday. Polamalu, whose last practice with the team was May 2, will finish out the week of OTAs, which end Thursday.

"The players continue to hear nothing different than what I've been relaying over the last year, and that's players anticipate a lockout."



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10160/1064192-66.stm#ixzz0qLRc54ux

Galax Steeler
06-09-2010, 04:10 AM
Thanks for the read. I sure hope Batch is wrong.

Kaeg
06-09-2010, 06:22 AM
:argue: ........./sigh...........mega rich people arguing with mega rich people over money. It's a shame that the fans are the ones who will lose, and they aren't the ones with all that money.

TroysBarber
06-09-2010, 06:28 AM
With all the talk of a lockout in 2011, I've yet to hear about any possibility that a lockout could extend into 2012, or even longer. The union is stating that it will not accept any contract with a salary cap, and the owners are insisting that without a cap, the NFL will become like baseball, where only the rich teams can compete. This could get real ugly, and could last for several years. I'm with the owners on this issue. The NFL with free agency and no cap will ruin football IMO.

steelpride12
06-09-2010, 08:17 AM
The more they talk about it the more of a possibility it's going to happen. 2011=lockout.

Steeldude
06-09-2010, 09:26 AM
The players are now guaranteed 60 percent of the NFL's total gross revenues, and they want to keep it that way. The owners want to cut it back, saying their expenses have increased dramatically, and they no longer can afford the mandated 60 percent. Smith said that would mean an 18 percent pay cut for players

if the players don't like then they can leave the NFL forever or go out and buy their own NFL team. the players' salaries are ridiculous.

i would be perfectly fine with letting all of the players go permanently and start fresh. i hope the owners don't budge at all.

Kaeg
06-09-2010, 03:19 PM
With all the talk of a lockout in 2011, I've yet to hear about any possibility that a lockout could extend into 2012, or even longer. The union is stating that it will not accept any contract with a salary cap, and the owners are insisting that without a cap, the NFL will become like baseball, where only the rich teams can compete. This could get real ugly, and could last for several years. I'm with the owners on this issue. The NFL with free agency and no cap will ruin football IMO.

Though I'm trying to staying neutral and diplomatic with my attitude about this, I find myself with the owners as well. It's like a union that is getting too powerful and out of control. Probably because it IS a union that is too powerful and out of control. Damn! And I try to stay politically neutral when I post!:nervous:

ALLD
06-09-2010, 03:42 PM
The players are wrong when they do not own up to the problem with top draft salaries. The balance is unfair, ironically to veteran players. Why the vets do not give on this issue in order to achieve on another is wrong. If the players do not work with the owners they are wrong. Sixty-percent of revenue is ALOT of money no matter what business you are in.

The NFL needs the NFLPA in order to have a workable structure, however in what was discussed above, it has become poisonous and a detriment to the sustainability of the game.

Chidi29
06-09-2010, 04:47 PM
I still think that the lockout talk is still mainly being used as a bargaining chip to try to get the owners to cave (Which wouldn't seem likely to work IMO).

The article makes a good point, one that didn't even occur to me. Owners can't speak on the issue. At least, without not having a lighter wallet. The NFLPA can pretty much say whatever they want and make everything sound true and certain. The owners can't have any sort of rebuttal.

Color me naive, but I don't see a lockout happening. It would seem counter-productive to have a lockout, causing a financial burden on everyone, when each side is fighting over money. Getting something is better than nothing.

suitanim
06-09-2010, 05:10 PM
If the lockout happens, I'll be fine...the players make too much money as it is (check out ANY other businesses payroll to income sheet and see...60% is ridiculous), and the greed by both sides will ultimately drive them to figure something out sooner rather than later. If i get a few extra Sunday's to myself in the Fall while overpriviledged nitwits argue, that's cool...the parks are beautiful in the Fall around here....

ALLD
06-09-2010, 05:20 PM
The baseball strike in the 1990s forever ruined that game for me and allowed the NFL to pass it up as America's most popular sport. I don't know what would fill the vacuum during a lockout, it may just give market share to others like baseball and basketball. It would definitely hurt merchandising and supporting industries from the guy who makes chicken wings to the owner of the company that repairs delivery trucks that supply t-shirts.

A lock-out/strike would be a no-win situation for everybody in the long-run. The owners can buy time because they will be paid their tv revenue regardless if they supply games. They can always show reruns of Super Bowls and other important games. It would be entertaining, but not increase the popularity of the game.

WindyCitySteelerFan
06-09-2010, 06:48 PM
Here's a surefire way to alienate the fans. The last thing I care about is more rich athletes complaining about something. They are making 5000% more than the players 20 years ago. So, what the deuce?

The owners are there to make profit too you know, so maybe we can build nicer stadiums, and give great incentives to the people who pay for these inflated salaries (us). I feel more sorry for the owners in this situation, I do. I think that the players are getting MORE than their worth, what these guys make in one season, most of us won't see our entire lives.

tube517
06-09-2010, 07:14 PM
Living throught the 82 and 87 fiascos, this will ultimately suck. I hope Batch is wrong but he's only relaying what he's hearing.
I just hope it's not a long drawn out one like in 1982. Well, at least now we have the NFL Network, DVR's, DVD's and everything else to make it less painful. I'm preparing for the worst, hoping for the best.

TroysBarber
06-10-2010, 06:29 AM
Living throught the 82 and 87 fiascos, this will ultimately suck. I hope Batch is wrong but he's only relaying what he's hearing.
I just hope it's not a long drawn out one like in 1982. Well, at least now we have the NFL Network, DVR's, DVD's and everything else to make it less painful. I'm preparing for the worst, hoping for the best.

Unfortunately, my cable system doesn't offer NFL Network. The good news is that unlike the 82 and 87 fiascos, we do have internet porn. :)

TroysBarber
06-10-2010, 06:29 AM
oops, double posted.

Animal Mother
06-10-2010, 07:27 AM
I just think back to when hockey was locked out and they are just now starting to get popularity back and that was what, 5 years ago? I'm with everyone else, the players need to play and get paid what they get paid. I read an article about an interview with Clint Eastwood who said when you go to work, it's not about what you expect to get paid from your employer it's about what you can do for the employer, the pay will come. Too many of these prima donnas think they deserve to make a king's ransom for doing little to nothing and then they whine and cry and blame someone else when their production isn't squat.

Unfortunately, I think it will take a lockout of some sort to get a rookie pay scale enacted even though it is totally unfair the way it is set up currently. Jamarcus Russel, case in point.

HometownGal
06-10-2010, 07:34 AM
If the lockout happens, I'll be fine...the players make too much money as it is (check out ANY other businesses payroll to income sheet and see...60% is ridiculous), and the greed by both sides will ultimately drive them to figure something out sooner rather than later. If i get a few extra Sunday's to myself in the Fall while overpriviledged nitwits argue, that's cool...the parks are beautiful in the Fall around here....

I"m with you here. This all boils down to greed vs. greed. Sure I'd miss my weekly Steelers games, but I'd survive (somehow). :chuckle:

Steely McSmash
06-10-2010, 08:34 PM
There's still college ball. I think both sides realize that everyone loses if there is a strike or lockout.

I would think that if the NFLPA cedes on rookie salaries, that might free up some money to give the owners a bigger % of revenue.

steelerdude15
06-10-2010, 09:47 PM
:argue:........./sigh...........mega rich people arguing with mega rich people over money. It's a shame that the fans are the ones who will lose, and they aren't the ones with all that money.
Very true.

steelreserve
06-10-2010, 10:21 PM
You'd think that if you were in imminent danger of either a) Running your billion-dollar business into the ground, or b) Losing your 7-figure salary that you're very lucky to have because if not for the NFL, at best you'd probably be doing factory work ... each side would be busting their asses to get something done.

Have they even discussed this recently? Are they seriously even TRYING to come up with a new deal at all? Or are they just sitting there trying to prove who has the biggest dick because they can sit there silently for the longest ... then come March, both sides panic and try to rush things through at the last minute because they realize they're both screwed -- only they CAN'T hammer it out because they've been sitting around with their thumbs up their asses for 9 months instead of ... you know ... actually negotiating.

It pisses me off how sports labor deals always go. Both sides always seem to think that "negotiating" means sitting there in a staring contest doing nothing until it's far too late. You take the major sports leagues, and it's like 20 games of chicken in a row that ended in a fiery crash, and every time they're too stupid to learn from watching the people who screwed up before them.