Well the 2010 N.F.L. season is just ended with a tantalizing (yes, you heard me, tenatalizing) victory by the Green Bay Packers defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers to be declared World Champions.
But there are storm clouds on the horizon in the NFL. A looming labor battle already threatens the 2011 season. Team owners who felt they gave the farm away the last time are for the most part standing united this go around and saying it's time for them to take back ownership of the league.
The Players feel they are the reason the game has flourished and are not readily willing to relenquish gains they made on the last contract, so they stand united, for the time being.
Result is an ugly impass that may result ina lock-out as early as March 2nd. If that happens, to trades, no free agents, no nothing can take place in the off season that has become as important as the regular season anymore in this new era of free agency where teams and players regroup for a new season. Most teams will not be ready for the 2011 season if this happens. And if a lockout occurs it will most likely extend into the regular season, possibly threatening the entire season.
In this day and age of unemploment, reduced wages, reduced benifits, and over-all reduced quality of life that the average American is facing, it seems hard to imagine that both sides of this battle can't see beyond their own greedy wants and come to a fair deal for all involved.
The NFL is by far the most popular of pro sports, but is at serious risk in losing it's fan base if they choose to let this battle linger.
Ticket prices have gone through the roof, and more and more we are seeing footballon tv to become pay to see.
These greedy swines better understand fast that football, although much loved by the fans, is a luxary, and not a need. And most Americans are reaching a point where needs have to be met, forgoing the luxuaries.
If the NFL doen't getthis quick, they will be sorry later.