NFL Owners vs. Players: Time to Get Real!

We all would like to know the details of what is taking place behind closed doors in the CBA mediation.  There will be no agreement until everything has been agreed upon.  No partial agreement will see the light of day because it would be sacrificing leverage.  All-or-nothing stakes are risky when both sides have begun to take shots at each other in the media.

The best thing about mediation is that it helps everyone get past everyone else's ego.  The trouble is both sides are beginning to act like spoiled brats.  The owners say it's their money and their team and they decide where the money gets divided.  The players say it's their talent that brings value to the table and believe they will get what they want in court if they must.

First of all, the owners must share the financial pie.  They need the talented players and that level of talent will cost whatever the market will bear.  Second, the players need the owners to keep this gravy train going.  Both groups are not known for being humble and polite but somehow they are both going to have to get past themselves, chill their egos and get a deal done.

The truth is that football is the fans' game. It's the fans' money that makes the whole thing work. The fans will put up with a lot of arrogance but there is a limit.  Make no mistake—the fans write the check.

The owners should report finances like a corporation.  The players should take that information and get realistic.  Good luck to the mediators because their work has got to be like herding cats.