Huizenga: Player Costs Hurting NFL

I am on the owners side when it comes to the CBA. The players today are overpaid for the most part. The owners invest millions every year into the community. They invest hundreds of millions in stadiums.

60% is the assumed percentage that goes to the players. That number is way to high in my eyes. Ross just paid over a billion dollars for the FINS.

I would also like the new CBA to have clauses about players off the field issues. I think that teams SHOULD be able to cut any player for being a jackass to society without major CAP hits. It will never happen b/c the players want to be able to do whatever, whenever they choose...with no backlash.

This sport could cost themselves right out of millions of fans....

 

I do agree with what he had to say. I think that a major issue with a new CBA should be a rookie salary cap. You have players who have never proven themselves at this level getting millions of dollars in guaranteed money. I would rather they trim some of those costs and pass them on to more proven players. But the money for these contracts have become so out of control it is not funny. I wonder though, how much of the blame will the owners themselves take for this issue. It is their money that they end up paying out. They should be able to stop the bleeding if they wanted too.

 

Yet this sport makes more money than all the other major sports and their salaries are A) Much lower than baseball and baseketball AND B) Not guaranteed.

I don't think they are overpaid at all. Sounds like greedy owner speak to me.

 

Football players also have much more severe injuries too Baseball and Basketball. I think rookies are overpaid more than anything and that hurts alot. Most contracts have little guranteed money so its alot easier to get out of those contracts. Sure there are always some big names on every team that make alot, But for everyone of those there are 20 guys making little to nothing. Owners make their money.

 

Just because it isn't as pronounced as other sports doesn't mean it isn't a problem.

Would you be saying the same thing to the 15% of NFL employees that were just laid off in December?

 

Everyone is laying people off not just the NFL

 

Im not sure what you mean by this. Are you saying those employees were laid off as a direct result of player salaries? If so, please show me a link. Thanks in advance.

 

I dont have a problem with veteran players getting the compensation they deserve, the thing that I side with the owners on are rookie contracts. They are way out of hand. How does Matt Ryan as a rookie make more than Tom Brady with 3 superbowl rings. Gimme a break!.

I have no problem with an owner having to shell out millions for a vet that earned it in that sense the owners should buck up. I do have a huge problem however, with a rookie player commanding far more than an established vet.. ie.. back to my Matt Ryan scenario.

 

Just a few things I would like to see changed with a new CBA. Most will not happen b/c of greed from both sides....but gotta have hope.

* Rookie salary structure needs a complete make over for the Top 10 picks. The rest are not that bad, but need some tweaking.

* Vets & RETIRED vets should make the big contract money in the NFL. The NFL does not have ANY competition for players from other leagues. If you want the big money and play with the best, you play in the NFL.

* Steroid users should be a 1 year ban minimum. 2nd time offenders should have a 2 year ban. 3rd time offenders gone for good. Let's not have a Barry Bonds type player break some of the biggest records in the NFL.

* Players / Owners cut should be... 49% players / 51% owners. The owners are the ones with HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT RISK. If the NFL goes under for whatever reason, those owners will be losing some of the main Corporate America Companies that provided the cash to keep this great game going as well.

* Player/Coaches need to be held accountable for their actions on and off the field. DUI's need to be 4 game suspension minimums. Beat a women and take off 8 games minimum. Just because they can buy their way out of trouble in court does not mean the NFL has to allow them to continue to use the privilege of playing in the NFL.

* Contracts need to be guaranteed money. Stop all of these BS contracts that never are completed. Players would have a better chance of making millions each season and stay with the team in the future. The problem right now is they sign a bunch of BS contracts that fools the cap for this season to be able to sign the player. Both parties know that the contract will be voided in most cases. This just means that EVERY YEAR the fake dollar amount goes up. After so many years it will lead to a play stoppage because an average free agent player will want a 5yr 50mil contract....

Yeah...I side with the owners.

 

Maybe from a league standpoint as far as television, jersey sales, and shared revenue across the board. Ticket sales for stadiums aren't shared from what I understand. And the Yankees having 80 something odd games versus Ross/Huizenga having 8 odd games is a hecka of a difference when it comes to revenue from people buying tickets and coming to games. Owners have higher insurance and medical bills due to the nature of the sport. True the NFL may make the most money, but revenue earned individually, the NFL don't see the NBA and Baseball from where I'm looking at it.

 

you kidding me? give me some freakin pads, i don't mind getting laid out a couple times then leaving on disability

 

professional athletes make way too much money for playing a game.

the country is in dire straits yet we can afford to pay CC Sebathia 160 M? give me a ****ing break.

how bout you put that money towards the country?

they deserve to be paid but damn..

 

Exactly, Wayne H could just as easily have said:

"The man who sold a team for 1.1 billion dollars complains that he had to pay 6 million more then he thinks he should have"

Worrying about Peanuts with Kobi Beef on his plate..

 

Businessmen don't stay in business by giving away free money. I don't care how small of a fraction it is.

 

I have sympathy for both sides. There have been cases where union insensitivity to economic realities have put companies out of business. In this case, with the economy tanking, I doubt any players will be offering to take pay cuts to help NFL franchises maintain profit margins. Similarly, while players are quick to break contracts and demand more money if they player better than expected, they never, ever offer to renegotiate a contract downwards because their performance has been far below what was expected when the contract was signed. Business is about risk and reward... the players' mentality often wishes to partake in the rewards while being absolutely unaccountable for any risks. I am not thrilled about that.

On the other hand, when you see the straits that retired players are in... medical problems, little to no help from the union, you realise how desperately these athletes need to make maximal money in a short window. At the end of the day THEY are the product. THEY are the ones putting arses in seats and selling Superbowl TV ad time. Many of them will have medical problems later, or have no real post-NFL career upon which to depend later. So, I understand them wanting a lot of money.

That said, part of the blame there falls back on union leadership for not 1) ensuring players properly plan for life after football 2) retired players with medical needs are properly taken care of with financial aid.

The union has dropped the ball by long ago failing to be adversarial enough in negotiations against the owners for the benefits that TRULY matter. Fighting for things prioritizing caring about the humans who play this sport. The hell with the greed of worrying only about how high to push salaries THIS year... worry about players' long-term well being as a result of the game (i.e. health AND giving up a corporate career to make their whole living off football). THAT'S what the union owes these players.

If the union comes into this with new leadership, wanting change which is sensible, compassionate and considers the long-term good of both players AND the sport then I am all for a hard line stance by the union.

If, however, the union continues the approach it had under Upshaw, of worrying only about this year's payday and not the long term health of sport and those around it... then I do not support the union or players in the upcoming face-off.

Business is business, but it's not more important than people.

 

They don't make too much money. They make whatever money the owners are willing to pay them. The value of all of the teams in the NFL, even the Lions, has steadily gone up. These players are paid a lot of money because they are the main cogs of a multibillion dollar business.

 

Do you want me to start a webpage, write my above statement and then link to it? Because providing a link doesn't make it true.

Show me the link that says all owners are making huge profits.

My point is that player's salaries are increasing at an astronomical rate without any real increase in available profit from the teams. Teams that sell out don't suddenly make more money to pay these salaries - and teams that aren't selling out aren't going to START selling out if they don't pay to keep their players.

So yes, player salaries will have a direct effect on other aspects of running a football team as a business - a case in point would be layoffs.

 

Strenously disagree, Wayne H bought the phins for 100 million dollars, including the Stadium, he sold them for 1.1 Billion, not a bad return for 13 years of ownership.

Salary Cap...120 million...NFL franchise value 800 million on average...

Selling out a stadium is not the moneymaker, the TV contracts are, and they have escalator clauses...

INOW Wayne H who just made 600 million if not more, is crying over 7 million dollar salaries, that mark up would make Gordan Gekko blush:



Money never sleeps.

 

regardless of how tough football is ... they play 16 games vs. 82 vs 162. And I know, football is tough. really tough. but lets not compare them to baseball or basketball.

 

First off, do we know if that was his realized gain? he shells out some nifty coin. I don't argue the fact he made money, but over how many years (minus inflation) and capital investments did he make? I'm sure he made a pretty penny, but lets not call it $700M off the bat or whatever. Anyone in finance will have to do the inflation and time value of money calc on that!

 

Jdang..please, the Phins are one of the few Franchises that own the Stadium outright, add in the dual income from Marlins games, add in the escalating TV contracts...

Wayne H is crying over pennies, his itch is that unlike Waste Management or Blockbuster, he had shell out some sheckles for employees...could have made 18% more except for the need for talented employees.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaKkuJVy2YA"]YouTube - Wall Street - Greed Is Good[/ame]

 

They may play more games but the season is nearly as long. I'd wager that a full on football practice is more physically demanding than a single baseball game.

 

First of all, Wayne didn't offer his candid opinions while he was the majority owner because he probably wanted to avoid people thinking he was complaining.

Secondly, I think if Wayne is asked, as a businessman, to comment on the health of the NFL as an investment and how the CBA (which is a topic right now) impacts that, then his honest business assessment of what is lowering profitability is not emotionally-driven, nor is it 'crying', imo. Crying is what a baby does when it needs someone else to do something for it. Wayne doesn't need anything. He isn;t trying to drum up sympathy to get city funds for a stadium. He isn't really set to benefit at all.

I think it's a candid answer to a business question, personally, from the perspective of a former majority owner of one of the companies in question.

 

Yes, the owners make their money, thats true. Your other statement isn't though because there is not one player that makes little or nothing, Please!! Three weeks of one of those little or nothing saleries and I'm out of debt!

I don't feel sorry for either group!

 

Here is a couple of very good articles by Forbes...It sheds some light on the ownership values. If you like business and would like to have a better understanding all that comes with ownership of a professional team...CLICK & READ THE LINKS.

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/30/sportsmoney_nfl08_NFL-Team-Valuations_Rank.html

http://www.forbes.com/2008/09/10/nfl-team-valuations-biz-sports-nfl08_cz_kb_mo_0910nfl_land.html

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/30/sportsmoney_nfl08_Miami-Dolphins_303017.html

 

I really can't believe there are any people here trying to justify players salaries in professional sports today.

It's out of control and ridiculous for all the leagues.
None of these guys are truly worth what they are making.

Makes it tough to continue to be a fan quite frankly.

 

Guys making "little to nothing"?

You checked the league minimums lately?
No one is making little to nothing.
The guy buried on the depth chart will be a millionaire if he plays his cards right.

 

Most if not all of the employee's jobs could have been saved by the 6 million wasted on Earnest Wilford alone..... that's right, the salary of one player who earned not one red penny of his payday.

Do you really think the glutony of player contracts don't have an effect on the health of the league itself? Please.

It's no different than the CEO's of corporations and their Exec staffs milking companies for profits at an irresponsible level.

You've got one of the wealthiest sports leagues in the world with the NFL and they have to cut 15 % of their employees to make sure player salaries continue to rise millions per year?

 

I don't really understand why people have problems with what athletes get paid. They get paid millions of dollars because the owners use them to make even more millions of dollars. It's the same thing as an actor getting 15 million dollars for a movie so the movie will take in a big draw.

Yes, what they do may not be more admiral than lower paid people like teachers and social workers but the players help bring in money and that is what they are paid to do. It's just business but for some reason since the business is based around a sport suddenly people get angry about it.

 

You don't understand why people would get angry about player pay and executive pay in corps. skyrocketing yearly regardless of whether market conditions would support such "expected" increases yearly?

No offense, but I really wonder about people that buy into this mindset.

To me there is a big difference between organizations running a profitable business in a way that balances financially rewarding all involved in building that business appropriately compared to the blatant "profiteering" that the top levels of business follow today to rape and pillage company coffers to a level that is unhealthy to any aspect of that business except those on the top levels.

What's happening today in professional sports is no different than what's happening in corp. America today.

It's why you have economic bubbles that burst like our current economy.
Prices inflate to unsustainable levels from inflating value, profit levels and propping up stock levels all ending in an inevitable crash of a market.

What's sad is that the people that have to pay for the brunt of those collapses are the same people that were taken advantage of with inflated prices to begin with, the average Joe.

Do you really think the demands of League execs to raise TV contracts exponentially coupled with the absurdity of expectations that players contracts should raise every single year by Millions of dollars dosen't have an effect on the health of the league and ultimately on those that support it.... the consumer or avg. Joe?

Yeah, you and I end up paying for it.
Were in a recession..... a historical one at that.

Common sense would tell you that all aspects of any business' economics would have to adjust down some to stay inline with bringing the economy back right?

You think there will be even a small decrease in players salaries to adjust for the economic crash were going through? Of course not. Players will get million dollar increases this year even though were in a financial cirisis.
Meanwhile, the NFL will make a press release justifying laying off 15% of the workforce that has helped build the NFL as a necessary firings because of the economic crisis.

Ya know if they simply factored cuts across the board in the NFL appropriately with all parties involved they wouldn't have to lay off one single employee.

Additionally, do you think NFL ticket prices will be adjusted down a little to correlate with what people are having to go through right now? That is the base of their business, the avg. fan correct? You've got prices correcting throughout the markets yet those ticket prices won't will they?

They can't adjust those prices because then they wouldn't be able to afford NFL execs, owners and ridiculously paid players incomes to increase on a yearly basis.

If that dosn't tick you off a little then you just don't get it IMO.

I become a bigger fan of collegiate athletics all the time.

 

I get what your saying, I just don't agree. The NFL is not responsible for the recession that this country is in. You just come off as bitter since you aren't the one making the millions of dollars. If someone is willing to pay another person a lot of money then who are you to question that. The players are not the same as CEO's who are giving themselves 5 million dollar bonuses despite the company failing.

The fact that you are a fan of college athletics shows that you don't get it since profits are still being made off the biggest programs while the athletes aren't getting a cut. Sounds like you don't get it.

 

R. Goodell has just taken a 2 million dollar pay cut and will not accept his pay raise in 2009.

Let's hope that translates into savings with both the owners & players.

 

Huh? Can someone explain?

 

too bad the government cant learn a lesson from him and stop handing out our tax dollars to pay other CEO's bonuses... Good job Goodell, oe of the better decisions of his administration

 

Wow, scary mindset there.

Yes, why should we question anything?
Why should we expect everyone at every level of society to play by the rules?

THe players aren't the same as CEO's and corp. execs. milking companies for as much as they can? They absolutely are. It flies against basics of economics for the system and all businesses in it not to adjust to the state of an economy. THe fact that players salaries raise at ridiculous levels far outpacing increases in any other field prove it IMO.

I'm not bitter, I'm just savy and call it like I see it.
I don't mind anyone making millions if they've earned it fairly and responsibly.
I just start to get ticked when millionaires insist that a million dollar increase in pay every year is justified. It's not and again..... can't believe I actually have to spell this out for you, It's you and I the fans that end up getting the shaft for the greed and excess.

As far as collegiate athletics go, not the same.
These sports programs fund a majority of the academic programs.
Same programs the big time athletes are given free tuition to attend and benefit from the education for free. I'd say the kids on scholarship get their cut.

 

They only make that much money because they BRING IN that much money.