NFL: A View from Outside the States and Why Its Principles Are Wrong!

As the current NFL lockout nears its 130th day the rest of world looks on in amazement at the saga which continues to drag.

For fans of other sports outside of the States, the thought of a player strike and owners "locking out" their prize assets is inconceivable. For many purists, money in professional sport today is the cancer which is ruining the game.

It is inconceivable to think that the owners of an English Premier League (EPL) soccer team for example would lock the doors and tell the players to stay away until it had negotiated better terms with league chiefs.

Whilst the principles of collective bargaining appear to maintain regular competitiveness within the competition and players of a certain ability are paid on par with each other. The choice of what each player should be paid is surely a decision for each owner? If in the EPL, Manchester City wishes to pay a player $400k a week that is their decision whilst Swansea City can only fund a new player to the tune of $40k a week.

Payton Manning will be a free agent this summer once the lockout is lifted. If Jerry Jones wishes to offer him a $ busting deal to leave the Colts and move south to Dallas to replace the erratic Tony Romo, is this not what professional sport and the free movement of workers is all about?

Each owner has their financial limits as the majority of owners are successful business men. The NFL draft reduces the ability for one team domination and allows a more level playing field which the US College system lends its self to. A rookie salary cap also limits the levels new untried players can be paid but for a second contract the player and owner should be able to pay what they feel is the market rate.

The rest of the world looks on as players and owners argue over money. Without the owners investing in the franchises, surely the players would not have the inflation busting contracts they currently receive?

Drop collective bargaining and let the market forces take control of which franchises players join. It happens in all other sports outside the US.