NFL Lockout: Why Fans Should Applaud Players and Owners If Deal Is Completed

I know what you're thinking: why should we praise individuals arguing over $9 billion?

Here's why.

Recent reports have the NFL and players coming close to a deal, the most telling signs being that they have agreed to stop negotiating face-to-face again.

While that was bad news before, now it could signal they simply will iron the rest of the details of the collective bargaining agreement out via email, phone, teleconference, or any of the social media outlets provided these days.

And while the fact that they've been debating about how to split a $9 billion pot has understandably sickened many NFL fans (and people in general), it's important to note that this is not unlike any other compromise between employee and employer.

The players (i.e. the employees) felt they deserved more money (i.e. a raise), while the owners (i.e. the employers) contended economic circumstances dictated they couldn't grant that request.

Sure, it took them over 120 days to begin to sort things out, but if a deal is completed soon and the CBA is restructured, that means the NFL season will still go through with every preseason game.

That should be considered a win at this point.

Just look at the NBA lockout. There are reports that lockout could compromise the entire season.

As much as fans booed commissioner Roger Goodell at the 2011 NFL Draft, as much as it's sickening to hear millionaires whining with billionaires and as disgraceful as a lockout in professional sports is, the fact of the matter is the players and the owners appear to be getting it done and salvaging a season.

Two sides came together and dutifully worked hard to iron out some issues which created great gaps between them.

When all signs pointed to at least a shortened season, both sides appear to be overcoming the odds.

That deserves credit, if not applause.