Football is in trouble! (1 Viewer)

[AngryPatriot]

Is anyone else fed up with this crap? Fans are being lost EVERY day! Thousands of casual fans will be gone due to this self-inflicted wound. The greed is too astounding to even comprehend. Most of us are glad to have a decent job and a paycheck, health benefits. Multi- millionaires that are unwilling to share a golden goose will not get a lot of sympathy.

Every day this goes on the NFL's revenue will be less and it hurts the very deals they're trying to make. Fantasy football will take a huge hit I'm afraid. The casual FF player will be a thing of the past. I'm 46 and in 3 dynasty type leagues and a football lover but even I can feel my interest waning. Too much reality, too little fantasy the way this is going. The NFL is too full of itself and it's disgusting. if they get a deal soon it would go a long way to their credit but if the season is delayed or games cancelled, watch out. I an officially on strike!!!

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Yeah, I'm really pissed off. Watching football on Easter weekend is such an engrained tradition in my life. I'll be lost without it.

 

[Kleck]

Casual fans don't tune in until September.

 

[moderated]

99% of fans don't care as long as there is football come september.

i mean everything is going as normal as of now, were not missing out on anything at this point.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

There is a a lot of buzz missing. Typically there are a ton of NFL stories to talk about around draft week. There are free agent signings and deals involving players for picks. There is always scrutiny behind who is the #1 pick since they can do a deal well before the draft, and not now - so a lot of the anticipation is lost.

The NFL was constantly in the main stream of sports news up to and even a few weeks after Super Bowl. But they don't have anything worth talking about. It's all just sportswriters parroting other sportswriters. No actual news. This drought is throwing a wet blanket over what once was the most anticipated sporting non-event of the year. I used to look forward to the draft like it was Christmas morning. Now, it's something I just don't feel too hyped up for.

The NFL lost its mojo, and without some hype/stories/press to fuel the fire, I am sure that a lot of people feel the same way.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Fans are being lost EVERY day! Thousands of casual fans will be gone due to this self-inflicted wound.

Would casual fans being paying attention at this time anyway?

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Fans are being lost EVERY day! Thousands of casual fans will be gone due to this self-inflicted wound.

Would casual fans being paying attention at this time anyway?

Yeah, I really think they would. Casual fans pay attention to the draft. Casual fans don't pay attention to mini-camps and OTA's. The Draft Special is typically one of the highest rated shows, so I think the casual fan does care.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

 

[noneother]

I only agree with absurdity of the situation. For the "regular" person I am sure either sides offer is acceptable.

I respect both sides for trying to maximize their return. That's how it's supposed to go.

Until the WHOLE they are fighting is over is actually reduced, or threatened to be reduced (missed game checks) I wouldn't expect either side to concede.

Hopefully the mediation can assist.

And yea. It sucks. Big Time.

 

[moderated]

Fans are being lost EVERY day! Thousands of casual fans will be gone due to this self-inflicted wound.

Would casual fans being paying attention at this time anyway?

Yeah, I really think they would. Casual fans pay attention to the draft. Casual fans don't pay attention to mini-camps and OTA's. The Draft Special is typically one of the highest rated shows, so I think the casual fan does care.

they are still having the draft and all the draft specials. there is as probably even more draft buzz then usual because of the lockout. there are rarely any big player/pick trades anyway, and teams can still trade picks so nothing has changed on the draft front.As of now there is pretty much nothing missing from previous years.

 

[Sweet Love]

There are very few people who can "take a stand" in this situation...the ones with the most impact are the season ticket holders. If they choose to cancel their tickets or just not show up (and few show in their place), that would be the only black-eye the NFL would get from this. You can spin Nielsen numbers, etc., but you can't spin an empty stadium (see jacksonville).

Reality is, if people came back to support the NHL (though they improved the game over the lockout), you can bet the NFL will not miss a beat regardless of what occurs.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Fans are being lost EVERY day! Thousands of casual fans will be gone due to this self-inflicted wound.

Would casual fans being paying attention at this time anyway?

Yeah, I really think they would. Casual fans pay attention to the draft. Casual fans don't pay attention to mini-camps and OTA's. The Draft Special is typically one of the highest rated shows, so I think the casual fan does care.

they are still having the draft and all the draft specials. there is as probably even more draft buzz then usual because of the lockout. there are rarely any big player/pick trades anyway, and teams can still trade picks so nothing has changed on the draft front.As of now there is pretty much nothing missing from previous years.

I am not going to make a bet about this, but I really think the ratings for the draft will be down from last year. I don't feel the buzz. I don't see the level of anticipation as other years. And maybe that there is no clear #1 pick this year. The draftnicks are all over the board. Tells you it's a crapshoot. It's not like other years where there is a select few marquee skill positions at the top of the board. Obviously I disagree with you that there is nothing missing. Talent is missing and the potential of a shortened season dampen the interest.

 

[moderated]

Fans are being lost EVERY day! Thousands of casual fans will be gone due to this self-inflicted wound.

Would casual fans being paying attention at this time anyway?

Yeah, I really think they would. Casual fans pay attention to the draft. Casual fans don't pay attention to mini-camps and OTA's. The Draft Special is typically one of the highest rated shows, so I think the casual fan does care.

they are still having the draft and all the draft specials. there is as probably even more draft buzz then usual because of the lockout. there are rarely any big player/pick trades anyway, and teams can still trade picks so nothing has changed on the draft front.As of now there is pretty much nothing missing from previous years.

I am not going to make a bet about this, but I really think the ratings for the draft will be down from last year. I don't feel the buzz. I don't see the level of anticipation as other years. And maybe that there is no clear #1 pick this year. The draftnicks are all over the board. Tells you it's a crapshoot. It's not like other years where there is a select few marquee skill positions at the top of the board. Obviously I disagree with you that there is nothing missing. Talent is missing and the potential of a shortened season dampen the interest.

the "talent" being missing has zero to do with any lockout issues. In fact this class is probably stronger then it would have been with no lockout as it caused some guys to come out who might have stayed. I don't see what the potential of a shortened season has to do with draft interest.i would take the over on ratings vs last year, and if they are lower it won't be by much at all.

 

[snellman]

I agree to a certain extent. I am normally salivating over the draft coming and the dynasty drafts that start right after the NFL draft, but this year I am not as excited as I have been in years past. Don't get me wrong, I am still looking forward to the draft because it will be a small light bulb in a very dark offseason, but I am not as geared up as I have been in years past.

Listening to the audible, I am glad Lamney, Bloom and Waldman are as excited as they are, or they are putting on a very good front, because that is helping me get a little more excited.

 

[Ilov80s]

I am more excited than ever, but that has more to do with the direction the Lions are going than anything else.

 

[krsone21]

99% of fans don't care as long as there is football come september. i mean everything is going as normal as of now, were not missing out on anything at this point.

Technically this isn't true. We are missing out on free agency. As a fan of football and a fan of the Raiders I was excited to see how free agency goes this year.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

Yeah, I'm really pissed off. Watching football on Easter weekend is such an engrained tradition in my life. I'll be lost without it.

 

[AngryPatriot]

I'm pissed man! Fix this already. The fact that players can't be traded hurts the draft and offseason big time. I think there are egos involved that won't budge no matter what. Lawyers!!!!!!!

 

[roadkill1292]

I'm pissed man! Fix this already. The fact that players can't be traded hurts the draft and offseason big time. I think there are egos involved that won't budge no matter what. Lawyers!!!!!!!

You seem.....angry.It's very understandable to be upset personally because you'll miss football. But I wouldn't worry too much about the NFL's popularity taking a dive if I were you. As long as it's there, who cares how many other people are interested? In fact, it's that kind of huge popularity that lets the league pretty much have its way with its fanbase.

 

[Hoosier16]

I'm 46

I hope you don't take this wrong, but it's really, really, time to consider getting a life outside of FF. I'm actually kind of enjoying this. Sure, I'd love it to be like it normally is, but this has been really interesting. I'm really looking forward to the ruling next week and the owners' reaction. I think this lawsuit to lift the lockout is a big mistake by the players. For some reason, people think this could be a win for the players, but it really will only forces the owners to come up with the rules for the post CBA era. Avoiding the beginning of FA was the only reason for the lockout to begin with. Think about it. If FA were to begin, the owners have to come up with a set of rules. If they put any restriction at all on FA, they will get burned in court on an antitrust violation. Their only choice is to allow all players without a contract unrestricted FA. Once they do this, they lose a bargaining chip. At that point, there is absolutely no reason for them to give in on the revenue split. We'rethen going the distance. Once the majority of the players realize they won't be making the old league minimum, they will quickly be wishing for a resolution.So, Monday should be interesting. While the owners will likely appeal, I really wish the judge could somehow force the lockout to be lifted while awaiting the appeal. You'd really see some pissed off owners (and then some really pissed off players).

 

[Spike]

Does anyone think it's possible the players drag it out just so they don't have to do OTAs and camp (in July and August)?

Far-fetched? Maybe.

 

[massraider]

I will be as angry with the NFL, and will hold a grudge, about as much as I would if I was dating Halle Berry and she cheated on me.

 

[renesauz]

Fans are being lost EVERY day! Thousands of casual fans will be gone due to this self-inflicted wound.

Would casual fans being paying attention at this time anyway?

Yeah, I really think they would. Casual fans pay attention to the draft. Casual fans don't pay attention to mini-camps and OTA's. The Draft Special is typically one of the highest rated shows, so I think the casual fan does care.

they are still having the draft and all the draft specials. there is as probably even more draft buzz then usual because of the lockout. there are rarely any big player/pick trades anyway, and teams can still trade picks so nothing has changed on the draft front.As of now there is pretty much nothing missing from previous years.

Free Agency down?

I mean.. FREE AGENCY IS DOWN!!!!

So....no...this is not "normal" at this point. While there aren't usually a lot of trades, there normally is a lot of player movement. Right now there's dozens of quality veterans sitting without deals, and teams heading into the draft not sure what their real needs are.

Even the casual fan is aware of this. He may not be as concerned as us dynasty fantasy geeks, but he's aware. There's a TON missing from previous years.

 

[az_prof]

Normally, this time of year, I am checking FBG three times a day. Now, I barely check in once a week. My interest as a ff nut is waning and I am sure that is true of the OP too. Dynasty players in particular are active this time of year. But look around here and you will see activity way down. This will affect FF I think but at this point I doubt it has done permanent damage to the casual fan. The longer it goes on and the more negatively the two sides talk, the more damage will be done. If games end up being cancelled, that will be bad long term. If the season is cancelled, it will set the league back a decade.

 

[HPD]

Is anyone else fed up with this crap? Fans are being lost EVERY day! Thousands of casual fans will be gone due to this self-inflicted wound. The greed is too astounding to even comprehend. Most of us are glad to have a decent job and a paycheck, health benefits. Multi- millionaires that are unwilling to share a golden goose will not get a lot of sympathy. Every day this goes on the NFL's revenue will be less and it hurts the very deals they're trying to make. Fantasy football will take a huge hit I'm afraid. The casual FF player will be a thing of the past. I'm 46 and in 3 dynasty type leagues and a football lover but even I can feel my interest waning. Too much reality, too little fantasy the way this is going. The NFL is too full of itself and it's disgusting. if they get a deal soon it would go a long way to their credit but if the season is delayed or games cancelled, watch out. I an officially on strike!!!

Care for whine with that cheese?

 

[Grid71]

Football will remain dominant as long as the new CBA doesn't go the route of baseball and NBA. I'd rather miss an entire season to preserve this than lose the future of a sport I love.

 

[metoo]

Call me when games are missed. I start worrying in July.