GoBlueInNYC

April 6th, 2011 at 11:11 PM ^

Someone pointed out a long time ago that the chances of the lockout lasting too long are probably pretty slim, just because most players aren't in a financial position to have their pay/insurance/work suspended for too long. It's a shitty situation that the owners, for the most part, can just outlast the players. I hope the players get their fair share before they feel real pressure to just give in and go back to work.

That said, nice to see Brady taking a strong leadership role in the league. Seems, by most accounts, to be a top notch guy. Happy to count him among the Wolverines.

Kennyvr1

April 6th, 2011 at 11:51 PM ^

To hear people say the players aren't in a good position with money/insurance/etc. That's a joke. I've been living without insurance for about 5 years, nowhere near the same amount of money a practice player gets...my boy Tim Shaw who played at Penn State and now plays for the Titans is a special teamer and he has more money right now than I'll probably ever have in my life. I think the players will be just fine. They are all in the 90th percentile of wealth in the world even if some of them spend it foolishly.

GoBlueInNYC

April 7th, 2011 at 1:24 AM ^

There are definitely players who can't afford to let the lockout drag on too long. Don't get me wrong, the players who are in poor financial standing are there because of their own irresponsibilty. Doesn't change the fact that the the owners possess a huge advantage in negotiations, so all the players (including the responsible ones) as a group are in the same tough spot.

And I'm not about to get into the issue of people in general not having access to health insurance, but playing professional footbal clearly has a massive impact on players' health. Having constant access to healthcare can be a much bigger deal for them compared to people of a comparable age.

EDIT: I foolishly have tried to make things clearer after a few whiskeys. I'm sure that worked out really well.

Kennyvr1

April 7th, 2011 at 1:51 AM ^

When we're talking about just the NFL and the health impact and the owners having the power your right and I agree with you...but when 90% of the world lives on less than 2 dollars a day it's a different story. Obviously our priorities especially in this country are completely backwards, most certainly when it comes to sports (I'm part of the problem) too. So all this nonsense talk over millions of dollars when people don't have running water is just sad all around.

GoBlueInNYC

April 7th, 2011 at 2:48 AM ^

I'm a huge movie nerd, so I love the Alamo Drafthouse, but taking in a movie might not be in the cards. (If you do go, buy tickets ahead of time because they sell out, but it doesn't look like there's anything special going on this coming weekend.) Even if you don't want to go bar hopping, Sixth St on weekend nights is a sight. Barton Springs is really nice. Austin prides itself on it's live music (sometimes it's unavoidable), you can find a listing here. Up in my neighborhood, the Spiderhouse is a good place to get a cup of coffee or a beer.

There's plenty of stuff around town, and I love talking Austin up, so if you want any more info, just say the word.

GoBlueInNYC

April 7th, 2011 at 9:18 AM ^

I don't spend too much time on Sixth St, it's a very undergrad kind of scene (and I'm a fancy-pants college grad). I seem to remember the Shakespeare pub being pretty laid back. For more low key spots downtown, you could check out the Warehouse District. I'd definitely recommend getting a drink at the Driskill bar, though, if you're out on Sixth (it's a couple blocks west of the Sixth St "scene").

michgoblue

April 7th, 2011 at 9:49 AM ^

Personally, I feel bad for neither side.  While I never get into the whole "class warfare" debate - I begrudge nobody for making as much money as they can - we really are talking about millionaires v. billionaires here.  Even a low paid NFL player should be able to save a reasonable amount of money to tide him over for 1 season.  Also, during the lockout, the players have the option of working - hell, Zolton is working at a private equity firm, and is probably making more than most of us on the board doing that.  NFL players have an edge in the job market, even a shitty job market, so if they are that hard up, they can probably find some work.  Marketing and sales jobs love sports stars, because, who wouldn't buy a set of encyclopedias from Jake Long. 

As for the owners, while someone up chain made the point that they can afford to wait out the players, this is only partially true.  Yes, owners have more $$.  But, if there is a lockout, the players have no fixed costs - owners still have to pay things like taxes on the stadium, some upkeep on the facilities, front office staff, accountants, lawyers, etc.  Sure, costs go WAY down, but some costs are fixed and the those costs represent straight loss to the owners.  The players do not have this burden.

Again, defending neither side - if these guys can't figure out a way to split up $9 billion+ dollars per year in a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity, then shame on both sides.

MrVociferous

April 7th, 2011 at 11:03 AM ^

The problem with NFL players and insurance isn't a money problem -- its a coverage problem.  Maurice Jones-Drew was on Twitter (and later TV) not too long ago talking about his struggles with finding better insurance than the COBRA option that's available to the players.  COBRA covers very little and runs MJD $1800/month for his family.  He -- and other players -- have tried to get better insurance, but they simply can't because they play football.  Outside of COBRA, no insurance company will even offer him a quote for coverage because they are denying him outright under the the dreaded "pre-existing condition" loophole.

So while yes, they do have much more money than you or I ever will, money isn't the issue when it comes to insurance.  Maybe next time you should learn more about what you're talking about, or quit projecting the ill feelings you have because of your personal struggles before coming across like an ignorant jackass.

You can read an article on it here:

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/429812/tania-ganguli/2011-03-18/maurice-jones-drew-talks-health-insurance-twitter

Kennyvr1

April 7th, 2011 at 11:21 AM ^

Your funny, if you read the conversation me and txblue had it was civilized. I never said anything for someone to feel sorry for me. I understand Mjd might struggle with insurance for his family but when you live in the 90th percentile of the world even if insurance is a problem there is simply no complaining. Me myself, I don't have insurance, not a lot of money but guess what I have a roof over my head, food on a table, running water and clothes on my back, a car, etc....I should never ever complain. I was really just getting the point across that this dispute is ignorant.

VBSoulPole

April 7th, 2011 at 11:12 AM ^

I actually went to summer camp with him and his brothers when we were kids. Didn't he actually commit to UofM initially? Would be nice to see him succeed. From what I recall he was actually incredibly intelligent as well.