Should The NFL Abolish The Player Draft? (1 Viewer)

[Christo]

Does the NFL have parity?  The draft, the schedule, the salary cap - all supposedly geared toward producing parity, but how many NFL teams have a legitimate shot at a championship?  5 or 6?  The fact is, the draft, salary cap and NCAA development system are geared toward one thing only - eliminating industry competition and maximizing revenue for ownership.  It will obviously never happen in our lifetimes, but I've no doubt the league would be much better for consumers/spectators if they would eliminate the draft, eliminate the salary cap and eliminate the NCAA. 

I don't buy it. Explain how sports outside the US are better for consumers/specators than the NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL.

 

[Christo]

If "the NFL is your employer" is true, then why are people arguing that warm-weather cities will fare better than Buffalo and Detroit? It's all the NFL, right?

Have you ever worked for a national/multi-national company? There are always plum assignments/offices within those types of organizations.

 

[matuski]

Have you ever worked for a national/multi-national company? There are always plum assignments/offices within those types of organizations.

Yes, and almost always those plum assignments are not available for rookies.

Young talent goes where they are told to go, they earn the ability to make those decisions as they progress.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Professional sports leagues are different than typical businesses in that they need competition (parity) in order to survive and thrive.  If you took parity away because one team completely dominated with no chance of losing then people would stop watching and that team that always lost would go out of business.  

We have decades of evidence from all over the world that says this does not happen.     

Now if you are saying it will be too hard for people to change their spots in the US (fans, players etc), that is one thing, but to systematically say it won't work seems to fly in the face of hard evidence from soccer all over the planet, as well as basketball almost every where but in the US.

 

[Christo]

Professional sports leagues are different than typical businesses in that they need competition (parity) in order to survive and thrive.  If you took parity away because one team completely dominated with no chance of losing then people would stop watching and that team that always lost would go out of business.  If all the other teams eventually went out of the business the dominating team would have nobody left to play and there would be no league.  Unlike other businesses if you take out all the competition you will die also.   That is why parity is needed. 

Other sports leagues around the world seem to be doing fine without a draft and salary caps.

 

[Joe Summer]

The whole concept is analogous to the episode of "South Park" where Cartman buys a theme park. The richest guys want the whole park to themselves, but will soon realize that they need to let other people in to pay the bills.

 

[Christo]

It is always funny how un-American the pro sports in America operate- especially compared to European sports leagues. 

I agree. But I like the difference. The US goes back to the playground where the 2 best guys are the captains and they pick teams to play that day.

 

[AAABatteries]

We have decades of evidence from all over the world that says this does not happen.     

Now if you are saying it will be too hard for people to change their spots in the US (fans, players etc), that is one thing, but to systematically say it won't work seems to fly in the face of hard evidence from soccer all over the planet, as well as basketball almost every where but in the US.

Agree, but there’s some fundamental differences between those leagues and the US leagues - the smaller regions, the length the leagues have been around and the big one - promotion/relegation.  It’s like I said, I would still watch but wouldn’t watch as often and wouldn’t be invested in the same way.

 

[Ilov80s]

I agree. But I like the difference. The US goes back to the playground where the 2 best guys are the captains and they pick teams to play that day.

I don't have an issue with it either- just thought it was funny. Besdies, it is part of what the players union and owners have agreed upon. I am cool with big labor. 

 

[Gr00vus]

This whole post is some millennial entitlement puff piece.  

eta - I'll expand.

When you work for a company that is at the top of their profession (the NBA, Google, whoever).. you go where they arbitrarily tell you to go.  Unitl you work your way up to a place that gives you thee options.

Being immune to being  forced to do what others tell you to do is called owning your own business.  Good luck playing pro ball on a team of 1.

If you're one of the top 100 or so people in your profession (outside of pro sports in the U.S.) you pretty much go to whatever company you want and probably have a pretty large amount of lattiude in determining what you'll be doing there. You get recruited by top companies and choose which one you want to work for. Or maybe you do start your own business.

Try going up to someone who graduated top of their class from a prestigious law school and telling them they got drafted by Palmdale CA to work in the DA office, sorry you can't go work somewhere else. See how that goes. Be sure to let them know they're entitled millennials when you do so as well.

 

[jhib]

The average NFL career is about 3 years, and the enforced contract after the draft is a minimum of 4 years, am I correct?

If you limit it to those who make the opening roster (and are then "stuck" on a team), the average career length jumps to around 6 years. 

 

[ghostguy123]

If you're one of the top 100 or so people in your profession (outside of pro sports in the U.S.) you pretty much go to whatever company you want and probably have a pretty large amount of lattiude in determining what you'll be doing there. You get recruited by top companies and choose which one you want to work for. Or maybe you do start your own business.

Try going up to someone who graduated top of their class from a prestigious law school and telling them they got drafted by Palmdale CA to work in the DA office, sorry you can't go work somewhere else. See how that goes. Be sure to let them know they're entitled millennials when you do so as well.

Depends how much they like money.  They can always force their way out one way or another and then go where they want to go..........assuming that team wants them.

 

[Christo]

If you're one of the top 100 or so people in your profession (outside of pro sports in the U.S.) you pretty much go to whatever company you want and probably have a pretty large amount of lattiude in determining what you'll be doing there. You get recruited by top companies and choose which one you want to work for. Or maybe you do start your own business.

Try going up to someone who graduated top of their class from a prestigious law school and telling them they got drafted by Palmdale CA to work in the DA office, sorry you can't go work somewhere else. See how that goes. Be sure to let them know they're entitled millennials when you do so as well.

I'm sure they wouldn't mind if they're getting a $20MM signing bonus. Plus, they'll get into the courtroom a lot faster in the DA's office than at Jones Day.

 

[Christo]

Depends how much they like money.  They can always force their way out one way or another and then go where they want to go..........assuming that team wants them.

It's a bad analogy.

 

[Mister CIA]

If the NFL draft were abolished, would that increase the value of some franchises at the expense of others?  ... by how much?

 

[Zegras11]

Why do we want parity?

Why are so many people anti-capitalists on this board?  I had no idea all of the socialists on the board - really surprised Bernie did not do better in 2016 (or this year...)

this is weak schtick.

 

[DallasDMac]

this is weak schtick.

Still pales in comparison to the "indentured servitude" schtick.

 

[Pipes]

Nobody cares about parity - except owners pushing that out on the masses.

People love superstars.  People love/hate winners.  When the Bengals went through their era of futility - none of their fans had any delusions of success.  Yet Mike Brown got paid every year - just for being bad.

Parity is what we tell ourselves when we don't know any different.  Don't be beholden to the wants of billionaire owners.  Dream of a better league - where owners are encouraged to improve their teams - or lose money.  Its still going to be 1440 players across 32 teams - there is no diminished competitiveness.  Bad teams will be punished, and good teams rewarded - and people/advertisers will still watch/pay the league.  

It’s not that simple.  Half the teams would be at a huge disadvantage due to geographic reasons.  Doesn’t matter how good an ownership group in Buffalo and Green Bay is they are starting at a huge disadvantage vs the NY/LA teams. 

I agree about parity that most don’t care.  But what most do care about is all teams start on fairly equal ground and the cream rises to the top.  Just like the NFL is right now.  

 

[dgreen]

I don’t know why they have to show up to a certain arena to play. What if they don’t feel like driving into the city? Why can’t they just play wherever they want? I can work from home, so they should too. If 10 players want to get together and play a game in their driveway, we should be paying them to do that. 

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I don't buy it. Explain how sports outside the US are better for consumers/specators than the NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL.

I’ve not said they are. I think the NFL product would likely be better if there were true competition. This goes way beyond just the draft though. I’ve not read the ESPN article Joe posted, nor do I care to. I don’t buy the player happiness angle, and it’s not going to change in our lifetimes anyway.  

 

[matuski]

If you're one of the top 100 or so people in your profession (outside of pro sports in the U.S.) you pretty much go to whatever company you want and probably have a pretty large amount of lattiude in determining what you'll be doing there. You get recruited by top companies and choose which one you want to work for. Or maybe you do start your own business.

Try going up to someone who graduated top of their class from a prestigious law school and telling them they got drafted by Palmdale CA to work in the DA office, sorry you can't go work somewhere else. See how that goes. Be sure to let them know they're entitled millennials when you do so as well.

I can't tell if you are seriously putting the NBA on par with a DA's office gig?

The NBA is the best of the best.  The NBA is where the top 100 people who play basketball want to be - every one of them.  In fact the NBA is so desired that they don't even have to recruit those prestigious top of their class talents - they come begging.  Every year.  Year after year.

I don't even really know where to begin breaking down how far off this analogy is.

eta - if schtick you got me.

 

[Zigg]

The EPL has six top-flight teams in a geographical market roughly the size of Alabama.  That's not the best analogy to the NFL.  If anything, you could argue that the EPL is super-duper-ultra balanced when you consider the number of top-flight teams per square mile.

So parity = proximity?  I'll be sure to congratulate the next Everton fan I see for their Champions League victory.  

 

[jvdesigns2002]

Just a thought--why not reduce the number of  minimum years on rookie contracts? In the NFL rookie contracts are typically 4 years with a 5th year option.  If they reduce that to two years--players would have more control over where they live/play their careers.   If a player gets drafted by a team/city that he/she doesnt want to play/be in--they can elect to agree to a shorter contract. Sure--they might be putting themselves at risk in the case of an injury--but the additional freedom might be worth the risk to some.  

 

[Christo]

I’ve not said they are. I think the NFL product would likely be better if there were true competition. This goes way beyond just the draft though. I’ve not read the ESPN article Joe posted, nor do I care to. I don’t buy the player happiness angle, and it’s not going to change in our lifetimes anyway.  

Why?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Why?

Competition always creates a better product.  False, manufactured parity leads to free-loaders and slackers.

 

[TheIronSheik]

If they don't like the NBA telling them where to work, it's my understanding that McDonald's will let you pick whichever store you want to work at in whatever city you want.  There's always other options.

 

[WDIK2]

If the issue is players being unhappy because they can't play where they want, wouldn't this technically lead to more unhappy players?

"I want to make $4 mil a year and play wherever I want, but where I want to play doesn't have a roster spot or cap room.  Maybe next year."  REPEAT

"You can come play for us be we only have $2 mil cap room.  We will try to bump up your pay next year."  REPEAT

Typing this out, isn't that how most jobs work?  Are professional athletes unhappier in their jobs than the rest of the workforce?

 

[rockaction]

Are professional athletes unhappier in their jobs than the rest of the workforce?

I think it's safe to assume no.

 

[Christo]

Competition always creates a better product.  False, manufactured parity leads to free-loaders and slackers.

No, it doesn't.

 

[dgreen]

Are professional athletes unhappier in their jobs than the rest of the workforce?

I think it's safe to assume no.

That would be my guess but I wouldn't be surprised to learn otherwise. Most happiness studies show that happiness increases up until a certain $ amount then plateaus. That $ amount is way below what professional athletes earn (and lower than what most FBGs earn), so all that money may not make a lot of them any happier than if they were earning much, much less. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that many of them don't love what they do. For some, they are professional athletes because that's what they are good at and what they were trained to do from a young age. When you're 6'10" and freakishly athletic, you play basketball whether you love basketball or not.

I don't think the feelings of the super rich should be dismissed. I'm guessing if we were in their shoes, we'd experience feelings we never would have imagined because we would have assumed that income would solve all our problems. But I also don't think they should expect much sympathy from the common man on things like the draft being unfair and what city they work in.

 

[[scooter]]

Why?

Competition always creates a better product.  False, manufactured parity leads to free-loaders and slackers.

This may be true, but the "better product" will only exist at the very top of the industry. Games involving the wealthiest teams will be good; games involving the "have nots" will be unbearable.

Attendance and ratings for the top-level teams will increase, but only slightly. Attendance and ratings for the lowest-level teams will decrease significantly -- to the point where those teams will be forced to either go out of business or move to another city (where the same process will inevitably take place).

Fans of the best teams may say "So what, let the best teams survive!" But the problem with that concept is that eventually you're left with a league of just a few teams, which leads to a decrease in national ratings, which ultimately leads to a decrease in profits. So, even the richest teams will realize that they need some type of parity to maximize profits, even if that parity is manufactured.

 

[coyote5]

They could eliminate the championship game altogether and announce at the end of each season that everyone is a champion. Hand out trophy's and rings and each city gets a parade and bragging rights. Let everyone know at the beginning of the next season that you won't be doing that again but when the next season ends name everyone a champion again. Some players would start to realize they will be champions anywhere they play and everyone will be happier.

This could spread to all sports and even the regular workforce. Everyone is a champion. Good times...

This is good, I've always felt it's unfair that only one city gets to riot after winning the championship each season.

 

[Moe.]

I gotta say these "if they don't like it they can get another job" replies are really weird to me. We all know how the system works, and everyone understands that currently there is pretty much no alternative. I haven't seen an actual player complain about the current setup. Arnovitz is a very thoughtful writer and the article is getting some traction because it's an interesting discussion. If you disagree - make an actual argument instead of just restating that this is how the current system works.

Best argument in favor of the draft in my opinion is that it's entertaining for the fans. I am going to watch the crap out of the NBA Draft tonight and it's one of my favorite televised events every year. 

 

[[scooter]]

I gotta say these "if they don't like it they can get another job" replies are really weird to me.

It's also weird when the same type of person complains when those players demand a trade or hold out of camp.

 

[-OZ-]

I feel like this is a "be careful what you wish for" scenario. I know that a lot of players feel like they're being unfairly restricted from choosing their own employer, but if we eliminated the draft then we'd also eliminate the prestige of being the #1 pick (or a 1st round pick, etc.), which could ultimately lead to a drop in salaries.

I'd bet on the opposite.

Imagine teams having to compete for the top player's services.  Trevor Lawrence would smash records. So would Zion.

Heck, in the NFL even veterans don't get total freedom.

 

[[scooter]]

I feel like this is a "be careful what you wish for" scenario. I know that a lot of players feel like they're being unfairly restricted from choosing their own employer, but if we eliminated the draft then we'd also eliminate the prestige of being the #1 pick (or a 1st round pick, etc.), which could ultimately lead to a drop in salaries.

I'd bet on the opposite.

Imagine teams having to compete for the top player's services.  Trevor Lawrence would smash records. So would Zion.

Of course the top player(s) could potentially smash salary records.

But right now, all the other "First Round" players get to say, "Hey, I was picked just X spots after Zion, therefore my salary should be commensurate." If you take away that artificial comparison, then it becomes much more difficult for certain players to negotiate a higher salary.

Also, if you create a system that causes multiple small-market teams to stop being competitive, then it reduces competition among the the top-level teams.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This may be true, but the "better product" will only exist at the very top of the industry. Games involving the wealthiest teams will be good; games involving the "have nots" will be unbearable.

Attendance and ratings for the top-level teams will increase, but only slightly. Attendance and ratings for the lowest-level teams will decrease significantly -- to the point where those teams will be forced to either go out of business or move to another city (where the same process will inevitably take place).

Fans of the best teams may say "So what, let the best teams survive!" But the problem with that concept is that eventually you're left with a league of just a few teams, which leads to a decrease in national ratings, which ultimately leads to a decrease in profits. So, even the richest teams will realize that they need some type of parity to maximize profits, even if that parity is manufactured.

This logic dictates that sports can not exist outside of the US since we are the only ones who use this model.

Soccer, basketball etc should all be non entities outside of the US if what you say actually played out in real life.

 

[-OZ-]

Of course the top player(s) could potentially smash salary records.

But right now, all the other "First Round" players get to say, "Hey, I was picked just X spots after Zion, therefore my salary should be commensurate." If you take away that artificial comparison, then it becomes much more difficult for certain players to negotiate a higher salary.

Also, if you create a system that causes multiple small-market teams to stop being competitive, then it reduces competition among the the top-level teams.

Salary cap would still be a factor. 

I don't know though, sure some players would lose out, but generally speaking the first round players are sought after.

Daniel Jones might have lost money this year, but I don't think many would lose out. Depending how things were structured. 

Biggest change would be the best coached teams and teams with hof players might get a bargain in rookie fa from players who want to play for BB or with Brady/Brees.

 

[Sand]

There's still a limited number of roster spots per team. Once Miami and Los Angeles fill their rosters, you'll still have teams with spots open.

I can see Miami, but LA?  Players will look at their taxes there and decide that Houston and Nashville are the places to play.  CA and NY teams will get last choice in leagues with salary caps.

 

[[scooter]]

This logic dictates that sports can not exist outside of the US since we are the only ones who use this model.

Soccer, basketball etc should all be non entities outside of the US if what you say actually played out in real life.

U.S. leagues are among the most popular and profitable leagues in the world. I think the draft/salary cap/manufactured parity setup is partially responsible for that.

English soccer is successful, but relegation helps to deal with the parity issue. I wouldn't mind seeing the NBA or NFL try relegation, although it's a little different when you've got cities who have invested billions into state-of-the-art stadiums. Relegation could cripple economies.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I can see Miami, but LA?  Players will look at their taxes there and decide that Houston and Nashville are the places to play.

Taxes are something that soccer players factor in all the time since it is a true global economy in that sport.  In fact some players have to negotiate the contracts specifically having the teams pay the taxes in high tax countries to make the various switching of teams work.

 

[Sand]

The fun part is that they have to pay taxes when they travel for games played in whatever state. So they can go to Houston and still pay CA taxes if they have a game in LA. My sister is an assistant coach on a team, and my poor father had to help her file 12 different state tax returns for every road game  

Yeah, that sucks (CPA time!).  I imagine, though, that their signing bonus is a big part of their pay and that is at home base.  

 

[Sand]

Taxes are something that soccer players factor in evade all the time since it is a true global economy in that sport.  

Fixed that for you.  

 

[comfortably numb]

U.S. leagues are among the most popular and profitable leagues in the world. I think the draft/salary cap/manufactured parity setup is partially responsible for that.

English soccer is successful, but relegation helps to deal with the parity issue. I wouldn't mind seeing the NBA or NFL try relegation, although it's a little different when you've got cities who have invested billions into state-of-the-art stadiums. Relegation could cripple economies.

Relegation has become my favorite part about sports now.

Pro sports would never adopt it.  MLS should but theyre off trying to saturate their league and expand to 40 team by 2022.

Where i think it has a shot and would make some sense is in college sports.

Imagine college basketball with a few super conferences of 20 teams. Last 2 teams get relegated. Sorry wake forest you stink you go to D2. Hey Appalachian St...congrats on winning your conference.  Your coming up to the Big Noth to play with the big boys. Sranton CC you won the D3 title you're coming up to D2.

Oh...Louisville you violated a bunch of rules..instead if stripping your final 4 banner....youre getting relegated to D3 for 3 years. Enjoy filling your arena playing against a bunch of no name commuity colleges for 3 years.

I mean a lot of the details would need some ironing but it could work!

 

[-OZ-]

I can see Miami, but LA?  Players will look at their taxes there and decide that Houston and Nashville are the places to play.  CA and NY teams will get last choice in leagues with salary caps.

Some, sure. 

Others will just want to be in Cali. 

I'm sold if this plan helps Nashville. 

 

[Sand]

Some, sure. 

Others will just want to be in Cali. 

I'm sold if this plan helps Nashville. 

I can see the appeal of Cali.  Let me amend that - teams like those that happen to be in NY, NJ, and MA will struggle.  Cold and the tax structures there tend to be insane.

With a structure like this who would ever want to play for the Jets?

 

[Arodin]

I can see the appeal of Cali.  Let me amend that - teams like those that happen to be in NY, NJ, and MA will struggle.  Cold and the tax structures there tend to be insane.

With a structure like this who would ever want to play for the Jets?

That’s already a valid question under the current system.

Doesn’t need all the hypothetical qualifiers.

 

[Sand]

That’s already a valid question under the current system.

Doesn’t need all the hypothetical qualifiers.

I admit it, I was piling on there.