Rarely do I read my emails looking for form letters. Rarer still, do I see a form letter and think, “Damn, I gotta read that!”
Tonight, there was a pretty big exception.
As my phone vibrated calmly away, I opened up my email program and lo and behold! An email from Roger Goodell!
I figured it meant he read my last piece on the NFLPA decertifying and wanted to give me an exclusive. Turns out, no…it was just a form letter.
However, it was a form letter that defied description in its, “There’s nothing to see here!” attitude.
The letter below is the league’s response to its fans in the wake of the NFLPA erasing itself from existence as well as the realization to everyone that we may not see football for a very long time. The letter is well written and lays out the owners’ points very well. There’s only one problem with it, in reality.
It treats us all like we’re idiots.
The letter takes the stance that this is all the players fault, when it has been reported time and time again that the players and the union were perfectly willing to agree to everything as long as the owners open up their books and show their audited income reports for the last ten years. Had the owners done this, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
The owners flat out refused.
Now, I had a very intelligent post on my Facebook account from a friend that said, “Boy, I’d sure love to get a look at my employer’s books!” Fundamentally, without taking into account the negotiating and bargaining rights of a union…he’s right. It’s ridiculous to assert that you should be able to see the audited financial statements of your bosses and employers. There’s no reason why the players should be allowed that type of information about their bosses and employers, right?
When your bosses, though, come to you and say, “Hey, we’re losing money hand over fist, you have to give back 18% of your income,” then the players and the NFLPA have every right to retort with, “Ummm…yeah, I don’t think I buy that,” especially in the wake of the owners having a 4 billion (AGAIN, that’s with a B!!!) dollar stash from the networks waiting for them. Things that the owners say just don’t have a ring of truth to them.
And sure, we’re debating the validity of arguments from millionaires and billionaires, all of whom make more than us and I’m not sure even particularly care that much about us.
But at the same time, being lied to by the leader of the billionaires, while all the while he is trying to show you how magnanimous he and his brethren are being, really leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
The text of the letter is below.
Dear NFL Fan,
When I wrote to you last on behalf of the NFL, we promised you that we would work tirelessly to find a collectively bargained solution to our differences with the players’ union. Subsequent to that letter to you, we agreed that the fastest way to a fair agreement was for everyone to work together through a mediation process. For the last three weeks I have personally attended every session of mediation, which is a process our clubs sincerely believe in.
Unfortunately, I have to tell you that earlier today the players’ union walked away from mediation and collective bargaining and has initiated litigation against the clubs. In an effort to get a fair agreement now, our clubs offered a deal today that was, among other things, designed to have no adverse financial impact on veteran players in the early years, and would have met the players’ financial demands in the latter years of the agreement.
The proposal we made included an offer to narrow the player compensation gap that existed in the negotiations by splitting the difference; guarantee a reallocation of savings from first-round rookies to veterans and retirees without negatively affecting compensation for rounds 2-7; no compensation reduction for veterans; implement new year-round health and safety rules; retain the current 16-4 season format for at least two years with any subsequent changes subject to the approval of the league and union; and establish a new legacy fund for retired players ($82 million contributed by the owners over the next two years).
It was a deal that offered compromise, and would have ensured the well-being of our players and guaranteed the long-term future for the fans of the great game we all love so much. It was a deal where everyone would prosper.
We remain committed to collective bargaining and the federal mediation process until an agreement is reached, and call on the union to return to negotiations immediately. NFL players, clubs, and fans want an agreement. The only place it can be reached is at the bargaining table.
While we are disappointed with the union’s actions, we remain steadfastly committed to reaching an agreement that serves the best interest of NFL players, clubs and fans, and thank you for your continued support of our League. First and foremost it is your passion for the game that drives us all, and we will not lose sight of this as we continue to work for a deal that works for everyone.
Yours,
Roger Goodell
Paul Schmidt is a senior contributor and media relations director for the Sports Bank, and is entering his tenth year of writing about sports in Chicago and Illinois.