NFL Threatens to Change Professional Sports Forever

The entire world of sports may change by this time next year.  American professional sports leagues including the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA could all be considered single entities by law, giving them control over all aspects of their industries.

Higher ticket prices.

No free agency.

Lower player and coach salaries.

This could all happen if the US Supreme Court rules in favor of the NFL in the antitrust case brought against it by American Needle, Inc.  What started routinely enough has exploded to giant proportions, threatening sports as we know it.

After losing their case in both trial and appeals court, American Needle filed a request to the Supreme Court for a new hearing and decision.  Surprisingly, the Supreme Court accepted the case and subsequently NFL lawyers revealed their true intentions to take advantage of their opponent.

Now it wasn’t just about the right to print NFL logos on merchandise.  The NFL wanted to do away with antitrust lawsuits forever.  The best way to do so?

Become a single entity.

If the NFL succeeds, it could be the most important decision on sports law in history.  It would drastically change the landscape of sports forever, putting enormous amounts of power in the hands of the owners and snatching it from players, coaches, and fans.  And it all comes down to greed.

The NFL wants to control everything that relates to football.  This is understandable by capitalism’s standards.  Having to bargain with a players union only increases the cost of doing business.  Having free agency drives player salaries upwards as teams compete to capture top players. 

But it also is a fair system that relatively counters the already immense power of owners and teams.

If the NFL becomes a single entity, things get a bit tricky for players. 

They would have to deal with the NFL rather than individual teams and their value would be calculated for the league as a whole.  Gone would be Albert Haynesworth’s $100 million contract. 

And if a free agent wants to leave his team?  Oh, that would be threatened too as the NFL could restrict player movement.

Of course, the people who would be hurt most if this decision passes would be us, the fans.  With complete control of everything in the league, owners would ratchet up ticket prices, demand more for merchandise, and leave players bored and unmotivated to work for their salary.  I’m a Raiders fan; I’ve already seen enough lackadaisical, disinterested play.

Now imagine if every team in every sport was like that.

The Supreme Court holds the fate of American sports in its hands.  I pray they tread carefully with their decision.

And if the NFL wins?

Well, it’s just one more bit of proof that the world really is coming to an end in 2012.