Can Fans Lower the Boom on the NFL??

Now that the NFLPA has decertified and the players have been locked out, I'm reminded that the fans really have more power than they realize. Now I wish that we would also flex our muscles and bring both entities to it knees.

Really, I wish that, we, the fans would come to our senses and show the NFL that the power of the dollar comes from the fans: who watch the NFL, buy the tickets and enable the large contracts between the NFL and TV/cable.

Stop buying the NFL. Why? Because they assume the fan is OK with the "business is business" forum. I'm upset because they're used to making billions. I'm tired how the fan is constantly taken advantage of. 

Stop watching, please. Go on strike. Some would say that Major League Baseball struggled to recover (did it really? Has the MLB ever regained its popularity?). Make the NFL feel it. The only way for this to occur is to stop being interested. Stop watching. Stop asking. Stop being a fan. 

This hurts me especially with the NFL draft around the corner. I am a draft fool. I watched the combine, I watch the NFL's "Road to the Draft." I want to write about the NFL draft. It will be difficult for me to turn off my interest. Very difficult. 

Here is why I will struggle: because I want to be entertained by the NFL. I love the game and the narratives which accompanies it. To me, it is compelling.

My uncle played in the NFL, I played in college. The team aspect of football is deeply attractive to the media and fan base.

At first, I was a Dan Marino fan because of his talent and leadership. Then I admired him because of his involvement off the field as a dad who has a son with a development disability. I admired him for his involvement in the community. I am a fan of Dan Marino. 

Business is business. However, unsuccessfully finding a way to share $9 billion is a shame. Fans need to remind the organizations and league that the fan is the audience, the focus of their dollar. Fans have a big decision to make. I know I do. Baseball fans had the guts to walk away. I hope NFL fans have the ability to do the same. 

I heard Kirk Morrison react to the fan base, when we ask the tough questions, addressing the entitlement issues of the NFL. "You have to walk in a man's shoes." Sorry Mr. Morrison, having $2,301,760 makes it difficult to "walk in your shoes."

When can owners and NFL players know how silly it sounds to the middle class to hear them argue about who gets the larger slice of $9 billion. After all, didn't this crises have over two years to be addressed? 

As a fan I understand: 

1. The players need a comprehensive retirement plan: health insurance and proper care. 

2. A need for more large contracts in the middle and back end of an athlete's career. 

3. Greater research which increases the safety of the game. 

It would be the NFL player's best interest not to tell the general public much about how we should view a millionaire's financial "struggles." If you want the fan's support, then settle this silly lockout.

Here's to hoping that the ultra-greedy in the NFL can understand the fan can't understand this business. Not in a recession where people are losing their jobs and homes. 

Stand up for yourself Fan, you have more power than you understand.