NFL Labor Issues for the Rest of Us: Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith Explained

While the powers that be threaten to ruin football for the rest of us in 2011, we can quickly examine the issues separating them from agreement and us from football.  Let's start by saying that time and again opinion polls show that we have little sympathy for millionaires who argues with billionaires.  Who among us can even imagine the type of wealth floating around in those circles.  Yet, on March 3, 2011 a tear will roll down our faces as we see the most popular sport in the USA come to a screeching halt.

So here are the issues facing Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith, broken down for the regular Joe amongst us.   And of course, a little commentary on how to solve these issues.

Retirement

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Former NFL quarterback Jim McMahon attends the MAXIM Magazine kicks off Super Bowl weekend at Grand Opening of Stone Rose at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort on February 1, 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Mich

The issue of retirement is relatively minor and should be solved eventually.  The players would like more money spent on the retirement plans and specifically health care after they retire.   Given the owner's request to go to an 18 game season, this seems to be a pretty good quid-pro-quo to give the players lifetime health care.

Note to Owners:   Give it up.  Players put their health on the line.  Give them perpetual health care after a vesting period.

Rookie Salary Cap

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 15: JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders sits on the bench after being taken out of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 15, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Sha

In 2007, JaMarcus Russell signed a $68 million contract.  Do I have to say any more?  Sam Bradford signed a deal worth as much as $86 million.  Tom Brady just signed a contract worth up to $72 million.   Each of these contracts can be worth as much or as little as the paper they are written on.  But can you say Tom Brady and JaMarcus Russell in the same sentence and even compare their contracts? 

Note to NFLPA:  Give it up.  Rookie's don't deserve this type of money.  Insist that some of that money go to vets or to retirement health care. 

18 Game Schedule

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers looks on after leaving with an injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

We all love football.   The owners want more.  The players have concerns that more games will increase the punishment on their bodies.   Each side has a good point.  The fastest way to increase everyone's paycheck is to add more games. 

Note to both sides:  Go to 18 games.  Cut out two preseason games.  Increase the roster size and add a bye week. 

Money

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HONOLULU - JANUARY 30: The NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleaders during the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl pre-game between the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) at Aloha Stadium at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (P

It always comes down to money.   The players and owners currently split the profit based on some complicated formulas that the fans would never really understand.   There are percentages of profit and definitions of profit.   Sometimes TV revenue is included, or not.  Essentially the owners are saying that the costs of running a team, including building new stadiums, makes the current split unworkable.  They are asking the players for an 18% giveback.  Of course, nobody likes to give up 18% of their pay.

Note to both sides:  Work it out.  We want our football back.   Here is an idea.  Negotiators and accounts in one room, doors locked.  Down two beers each.  When you gotta go, you lose your spot.  Last ones standing sign a deal.  Work it out.