NFL's Concussion Battle Will Ruin Future Between Owners and NFLPA

The concussion battle between the NFL owners and the players association is one of the most interesting topics around right now.

And not just in the world of sports.

With players getting bigger, faster and stronger each season, the game of football clearly becomes more dangerous and safety issues are at an all-time high. Coincidentally, it's not surprising to see the growth of interest when it comes to the NFL and its events such as the Super Bowl and draft.

One thing to keep in mind with that though, is the bad always has to come with the good; and that especially holds true considering how much more popular the NFL has become.

As for evidence, just look at some of the current trending sports topics. The 2013 NFL draft is just as popular—if not more—than the 2012 NBA playoffs, 2012 NBA draft and Major League Baseball among others.

And we're still basically one year away from it.

To that end, increased exposure year-round keeps the league under the microscope and concussions only continue to be a hot-button between all parties involved (players, owners and the league).

This battle will eventually ruin the league because not only are there contradicting needs/wants, but there's a trickle-down effect with cautionary implications on the future.

According to Nadia Kounang of CNN, the list of lawsuits simply continues to increase:

"

More than 100 former professional football players, including former Atlanta Falcons Jamal Anderson, Chris Doleman, and O.J. Santiago, are adding their names a growing list of players suing the NFL.

They join more than 1,500 other players who claim that the National Football League hid the dangers of concussions from them.

"

With lawsuits continuing to climb, let's look at how the concussion issue ruins the future between the owners and players.

Contradictions

The commissioner is willing to pursue an 18-game schedule, but continues to be a major advocate in emphasizing player safety. Because this makes sense; more games make the game safer, right?

Another contradiction actually comes in the form of the players (both past and present). It's no secret the game is a lot safer now with all the rule changes, but considering how hard the collisions are compared to say 15 or 20 years ago, football remains a violent sport, as it should be.

When it comes to concussions though, there cannot be any room for these types of contradictions. Down the road a longer schedule will just lead to more lawsuits, despite the extra cash flow coming in from two additional regular season games.

Players must also remember that playing the game is an assumption of risk, because the padding is not guaranteed to completely protect anyone from injury.

Now yes, the league has to do a better job of taking care of the players once retired, as they were part of making pro football what it is today, but that doesn't excuse the risk involved in playing the game.

Here, each side must decide on a path. The owners and commissioner must abolish the idea of a longer season or take the chance of more future lawsuits. The NFLPA must recognize and comply with the rule changes and do a better job in accordance with the league at educating players about the risks involved.

If not, then pro football will soon be on thin-ice and on the verge of not existing.

Money

Pro football is, by a long shot, the biggest sport in America and it's no surprise considering how attractive the contact of the sport has become.

Unfortunately the players-owners relationship is at stake though, because money is at the core of how to progress through the concussion issue.

Take into account all the lawsuits against the league, fines on current players when a league rule is violated and all the normal cash flow and there's more dough than we can imagine that's moving around.

Obviously trying to make the game safer will reduce the number of concussions and ultimately, lawsuits against the league from former players. Those improved rules on safety in turn however, could potentially lead to a decrease of interest in football and then less cash flow.

Future of the NFL

We loosely touched base on the NFL's future earlier, so it's no secret that this concussion battle may ultimately lead to the demise of pro football.

Somehow, someway, the NFLPA and the owners must find common ground to save the future. A couple prime examples are not moving to an 18-game season and continuing to try and make the game safer.

Now, whether that's by getting rid of the helmet or shortening games, some drastic steps must be taken. Not doing so creates that trickle-down effect on the future with more penalty flags for illegal hits, which then leads to more concussions and lawsuits against the league.

By the end of it all, the future relationship between the players and owners will be so tense and awkward, that the unity of an organization will no longer exist. And neither will the NFL.

John Rozum on Twitter.