I really don't like to be the opener of the proverbial can of worms. Each time the subject surfaces or I read a piece online, the parrots come out in force. Right now we have ongoing labor negotiations between the respective owners and players in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball. What is the average response of the guy/gal in the street. Can't these idiots figure out how to split up billions? That's legit. The one that gets me is, "teachers, police and firefighters do important work and should make more than spoiled pro athletes"! Really? So you'd plunk down $75-100 a game to see a high school teacher present their algebra lesson? You'd buy season tickets for a couple grand to witness the probie from the local firehouse learn to hook up the hose to the hydrant and check the tire pressure? Another ridiculous aspect is singling out the jocks. You do realize that even silent film stars like Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Nita Naldi, ect made millions even during the Great Depression. The first actress to make a million for a film? Liz Taylor in 1963's "Cleopatra". The first athlete to sign a contract worth a mil annually? Nolan Ryan in 1980, 17 years after that. Do me a favor, do some reseach, learn a bit about history, then pass your judgement. Anyone blasting ballplayers for what they get paid but watch a bunch of games, pay big bucks for tickets, or purchase team gear are Major League hypocrites.
For the record, according to CNN Money, the NFL generate 9 Billion in income last year with the lion's(not Detroit) share coming from TV at about 4 bil. You really think business saavy owners are going to take whacking up that kind of cash lightly and not put up a severe fight? Think about it. The 325 lineman is valuable. The top guys earn their 5-6-7 million a season. They don't have football, where they gonna earn that kind of living? Each sport is at a financial crossroads, much like the NHL was about 7 years ago. They missed an entire season. Don't think it can't happen to your favorite sport.
Here's one I haven't done in a while. I have one of those terrific publications, "Duck Season", the book put together by the folks at the Daily Emerald. Send me a text to 653-3098, or email stevetannen@live.com with the correct answer to the following. Since the ABA merged with the NBA following the 1976 season, the Lakers have won 10 titles, the Spurs 4. Who are the other 3 Western Conference teams to win the NBA championship title?
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