NFL LOCKOUT: Week three, Blank updates fans
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)
Falcons owner Arthur Blank wrote a letter to the fans on Sunday and contended that “the NFLPA walked away from a deal that was more than fair.”
It’s his second letter to the fans since the NFLPA decertified on March 11. The union’s move was followed by the NFL locking out the players. The NFLPA filed an antitrust lawsuit which is scheduled for a hearing on April 6 in Minneapolis.
In the letter, Blank states that the owners spent a great deal of time discussing the labor situation at the recently concluded league meeting in New Orleans.
“I can speak for the NFL and its owners in telling you that we all want a quick resolution of the current labor dispute, and we are ready to get back to the negotiating table at any time,” Blank wrote. “We have great respect for our players and want them to rejoin us in preparing for the 2011 season as quickly as possible.”
He pointed out the work of team president Rich McKay, who is the chairman of the league’s competition committee.
He also noted that the Falcons are moving forward with plans for the upcoming season and that they are looking forward to the NFL Draft on April 28-30.
“I will continue to keep you informed,” Blank wrote. “In the meantime, I hope we can count on your support as we work through this difficult situation.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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97 comments Add your comment
Joe
March 27th, 2011
10:07 pm
first
Harris
March 27th, 2011
10:12 pm
what’s gonna happen when the dollar crashes, moodys downgrades and obama adds another trillion to the deficit?
robert
March 27th, 2011
10:13 pm
doesn’t really make me feel any better.
robert
March 27th, 2011
10:29 pm
thats easy harris, its the same as this governments last incarnation. as soon as the dollar is killed the north american union will be formed and the amerio will be introduced as the new currency to “save’” everyone. but it aint gonna help complaining about it and until there is a solution to the two party system there is nothing you can do about it so why not just stick to football on these blogs and keep the pointless politic talk for your own time.
PMC
March 27th, 2011
11:01 pm
we want them to get back to the negotiating table so long as the negotiating is completely one sided….
If you wanted to freaking play owners….you could have continued with the freaking deal…..the deal that brought the NFL more money than it’s ever made.
The owners are the ones who started this crap, not the players.
Harris.....it's all whitey's fault
March 27th, 2011
11:29 pm
no NFL IN 2011. YALL STILL GOT RACIN TO WATCH.
MR. Zizzle
March 28th, 2011
12:05 am
Nothing worse than a NASCAR political hick like Harris to horrify us that car racing is the savior. Where is the next bridge? GO FALCONS! GET THIS THING DONE NFL and PLAYERS! If you want to split the 9 Billion with me, I’m ready!
FalconJim
March 28th, 2011
12:13 am
I think Arthur Blank is a great owner, but I think BOTH sides have become too greedy! They were ALL making great money, so let’s get down to business and strike a deal, so we can go on with this glorious game that we all love so much!
And one other thing…..if I went in tomorrow and asked my boss to see his financial records, he’d probably have a stroke, laughing so hard…..then, tell me it’s NONE OF MY F’ IN BUSINESS!!! And, I think this applies here, as well.
FalconJim.
dawgforlife
March 28th, 2011
12:20 am
This is hogwash…Arthur Blank could not care less about the fans..and the players could not care less about the fans…they just think we are dumb hicks who will be back regardless…I WILL NEVER respect either of them again…they have ruined our precious game..I lothe them…I will cheer for the Falcons because of my loyalty to football and the city of our sports…but, those collective blowhard players and owners can kiss my grits…I will never be have any respect for either one…greedy plantation owners…and greedy spoiled players…I would play for free if God would turn back the clock and give me the youth to do so…the whole crowd can kiss my hiney!
5150 UOAD
March 28th, 2011
1:43 am
That photo might be all the fans left after the lockout and Arty trying to get us to buy an outside stadium.
BIG BIRD
March 28th, 2011
4:44 am
All you get from a union is the right to strike and the right to pay dues!!
NFL Owners, take the ball and go home!!!
Paddy
March 28th, 2011
6:49 am
Yeh Harris….if there is no football we all can watch the replay of that exciting Daytona 500 last month. Watching rac’in always wants me to put a sharp stick in my eye. Over the years I have tried to become a NASCAR fan. The last few years it has become impossible to watch. Sorry Harris, I will stick to football, baseball and hockey.
SimpleDawg
March 28th, 2011
6:58 am
Still demanding payment on season tickets, without knowing whether or not there will be a season, or what the quality of play will be.
Unhappy season ticket holder…….
The Real Falcon
March 28th, 2011
6:59 am
Blah, blah blah.
The owners have planned for this since last year. They get paid by the networks even if no games
are played. Open the books if so much money was lost.
SeenThisB4
March 28th, 2011
7:07 am
Liar, Liar, pants on fire.
2012 Preparation
March 28th, 2011
7:27 am
You fools. . . Can’t you see they are preparing us for whatever apocalyptic event they have in store for us. Normally, people don’t flush 9.3 billion a year down the drain unless they have a very good reason. There will be no NFL to distract us when the S hits the fan. You laugh – but who won the first Superbowl and who won the last Superbowl. Coincidence? I think not.
mattie Ice
March 28th, 2011
7:28 am
Harris that President Obama to you
Jimmy Crack
March 28th, 2011
7:52 am
Support? SUPPORT???
Big Dawg
March 28th, 2011
7:53 am
Hey 2012, get back on the meds.
Timmy Bobbins
March 28th, 2011
8:23 am
Its simply muti-billionaire owners and multi-millionaire players whining for more money. The owners want to keep more of it and the players want a greater share of it. Why don’t both of you consider the fans that actually pay your salaries (through revenues) and lower the ticket prices to games ? The average fan makes $30,000 per year yet will spend $100 (x 100,000 fans) on a ticket to line the owners and players pockets. Instead of both of you wanting more money why can’t a player play for $6 million a year instead of $10 million per year ? Why can’t the owners be satisfied with $4 billion per year profit instead of $5 billion ? I know the name of the game is making money but the fan is the one being cheated. And neither the owners nor the players care about the fans. They only care about Mo Money !
Old Flatulent Dawg
March 28th, 2011
8:41 am
The Greed League…who cares….if you can’t eat it, can’t have sex with it…then pee on it!
JoeFann
March 28th, 2011
8:43 am
Maybe someone should remind Mr. Blank AND the players, that with the television contracts and global expansion, apparently, they no longer need our support–unless, of course, they want us to foot the bill for a new stadium. When billionaires are pointing fingers at millionaires, and vice versa, as Rhett said, “Frankly, my dear, ….” If they can’t stop squabbling and solve it, it will only save me time and money, and turn my attention back to the plantation that is college football.
Go Dawgs!
Big Dude
March 28th, 2011
8:46 am
Unions are nothing but legalized extortion. “Give me what I want or I’ll walk”.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 28th, 2011
9:14 am
I wonder what is going to happen on April 6. I’m talking to a bunch of legal eagle experts this week. Hopefully, my story for next Sunday will clear up how this thing is going to evolve.
SimpleDawg: When are the season ticket payments due?
falcfvr
March 28th, 2011
9:16 am
Get on with it…. The players want to see the books? Yeah and I’m gonna show my check book to my lawn guy. Greed is all it is….
CJ
March 28th, 2011
9:21 am
Where are these letters? I’m a season ticket holder and not getting them.
PMC
March 28th, 2011
9:33 am
The owners are still trying to get taxpayers to build stadiums AND they want the players share back too.
This is not about playing football, it’s completely about trying to take back money from the players that they were earning under the current deal.
I’m not a union guy in the least. I’m completely pro business, but this cabal that the owners have put toegther is complete bullcrap.
If they wanted to play football they could have kept the freaking deal.
BUILD YOUR OWN FREAKING STADIUMS IF YOU WANT NEW ONES!!!!
PMC
March 28th, 2011
9:36 am
The Players don’t need to see the books. It’s completely erronious.
Everyone KNOWS that they are making good money. Everyone is making good money especially the teams with good stadium deals (unlike the Falcons)and PSL’s and competitive teams. Every team is making good money. I don’t need to see the books to know that, I can look at the freaking media deal and the public data to know that.
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that the players should even consider anything less than the current deal they have now.
The Jerry Richardsons of the world should sit and spin.
SawThat1nce
March 28th, 2011
9:41 am
The owners walked out(opted-out) on the deal that the NFL had in place.
PMC
March 28th, 2011
9:41 am
These guys took a problem amongst the owners (revenue sharing) and killed the league in the process.
General Sherman
March 28th, 2011
9:47 am
Why do you need pro sports any way?
steve brown
March 28th, 2011
9:55 am
Anyone familiar with “big business” understands that the only numbers that mean anything are audited financials. Everything else is BS and Blank knows this better than most. “Trust me” doesn’t work when $9 billion is being split up. The owners won’t give up these audited numbers because they don’t want the players to see, among other things, their personal perks like jets, cars, family employees, girlfriends, hookers, travel and entertainment, etc. that they run through their teams P & L. Arthur stop being disingenuous and either give them audited numbers to show your true financial position or do us a favor and stop writing letters.
Dawg A
March 28th, 2011
10:26 am
Arthur is such a loser! DOL…. As a season ticket holder I called them over a week ago and they told me that if I wanted out of my season tickets I would lose the 2,200 I have already paid! I owe 1,100 on April 1, May 1 and the final payment is due in June.
My argument to them was that since there is no assurance that there will be football in 2011 then they should not take one more dime from me until they know for sure! Otherwise, they are taking my money and it is drawing at least 4% percent interest. But if they don’t play I get my money back with 1% percent interest. It is wrong and they have me backed up against the corner!
But IT IS THE LAST TIME THEY GET MY MONEY! That I can control! Arthur can stand on the sidelines and look up and just wonder what happened! Arthur is clueless and is the most greedy owner in atlanta sports history!
BTW…. when I asked the Customer Service Rep on the phone what was it like to work for someone that treats fans so poorly her answer summed it up “I better pled the 5th” Enough said!!!!!
John
March 28th, 2011
10:29 am
The fans are organizing and forming their own ownership groups! The owners are going to lose! Check out sportsownership.com All teams are still available. This will be the biggest sports story of the century! Don’t miss out.
dawgforlife
March 28th, 2011
10:35 am
So, let Me get this straight. AB is trying to convince us good faith went on and the owners are losing money. Question, if owning an NFL team is such a poor business move, where are all the owners who are trying to sell their teams to minimize the losses? And, why are people lined up trying to get expansion teams and/or buy any team that comes available? The Falcons are worth at least twice what he paid for them. I think it is hilarious they think we are this stupid. Jerry Jones builds a billion dollar stadium because the teams are such money losing propositions. And, don’t even get me started on the players. Will someone please tell me why on earth the players need any of the television revenue when the lowest paid of them make more than 10 times what the average wage earner in this country makes? Move into a nice house (note: it does not need a full movie theatre or bowling alley inside) get a nice new reasonable car (note: I own a Kia Rio very dependable and great gas milage) save your money. and live off your interest in retirement. sounds like a plan to me…how can someone make 10 times what everyone else makes and not have two nickles to rub together?…both sides literally amaze me.
Tom
March 28th, 2011
10:42 am
“Fairness” is in the eyes of the beholder …
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2011
10:47 am
The players would have been glad to play under the previous deal. which brought record profits to the league and made everyone happy (except the fans who have to pay increasingly higher prices). The owners chose to opt out when they could have stuck wih the previous deal and continued to be filthy rich. Arthur Blank is full of sh-t.
ezra
March 28th, 2011
11:01 am
Now explain to me why does a person making millions need a union? For health benefits? For retirement? I say break the union and draft all new players without unions.
ezra
March 28th, 2011
11:03 am
Do any of you really watch football because of certain players or because you want the team to win?
Sandra
March 28th, 2011
11:07 am
Did not realize that there was a lockout. Tells you how much I miss football. But then again, football is not in season…therefore….not a concern for me. NOW baseball is starting……………GO CARDINALS!
Ken Stallings
March 28th, 2011
11:25 am
I am frankly tired of reading the bleached and starched statements from CEO’s who hire firms to paint their public relations. It smacks of insincerity!
The owners forced this conflict because they wanted the players to surrender 20-25% of their current salary base, and refused to provide any tangible proof that such a move was necessary. The owners claim that local governments are no longer willing to starch the taxpayers to build stadiums. This is true! However, the owners already have the revenues to build their own stadiums. The players knew this. The owners know this. This is why the owners refused to provide the NFLPA a full and honest access to the leagues financial records.
The owners then wanted to further increase their profits by adding two regular season games to the schedule because fans did not fill seats for the pre-season games. This action alone would have destroyed career aspirations for players just from the injury toll alone! Add in the possible playoff games (up to four) and suddenly some football players would be expected to play 22 games in a single five month season! Despite what the owners think, most NFL fans truly do not desire to see the players living life in wheelchairs from their 30’s onward!
For the owners to think the players would agree to either condition for future employment was a foolish expectation, and one they knew the players would not accept. Therefore, the owners planned on the lockout from day one of this strategic move discussed and readied two years ago! They reckoned that what they could not achieve through force of logic, they would try to achieve through outright threat of employment loss. This is precisely why the owners negotiated their last television contract fees as they did, specifying they would keep 100% of the money should a lockout happen. The owners expected to pocket the TV money to withstand the loss of attendance revenues even if the entire season was cancelled!
The point I want Authur Blank (and the other NFL owners) to realize is that we fans are not nearly as stupid as they think we are! With the state of electronic media today we are very informed and aware. All the polished letters to fans in the world cannot and will not obscure the truth.
The truth is that billionare owners wanted more money, a lot more money, and wanted to take it from the players, who are the only ones who risk life and limb playing this game. Whether neglecting retired players, who become wards of the state due to medical costs destroying what meager savings they accumulated during the poorly compensated days of the 1960’s and 1970’s, or the current effort to add two games and take a quarter of the players’ earning, the NFL owners have done the impossible.
Through their actions, they have managed to make fans universally sympathetic to players who make millions of dollars to play a sport. They have managed to accomplish this in perhaps the most anti-union climate in national history! Congratulations! That is a truly significant accomplishment though not the one the owners wanted.
But pure greed has a consistent ability to create genuine animosity. Frankly put, the owners created this mess, and we fans hold only them accountable for it!
J
March 28th, 2011
11:31 am
Aurthur I just have one question. Why do I still need to pay for my season tix if there is not gonna be a season. I lose my seats if I don’t pay now but no guarantee there will even be games. Are you so greedy you need my $ early so it can sit in a bank account and collect interest. If someone is making intrest off my money it should be me.
There are some Mad season tickets holders out there. You have already had my money for an NFC championship game that did not take place in the dome. Is that not enough?
Al Bundy
March 28th, 2011
11:45 am
The owners and players do not care about the fans; they care about putting as many dollars in their pockets as possible. The sad thing is we, as fans, are like sheep. And they know, as soon as this thing is settled, we’ll come right back. Just another example of the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer.
The Original WDE
March 28th, 2011
11:51 am
We’re fans of the players, not the Walt Disney-wannabe that struts the sideline with his pencil-width mustache and $5000 suit.
Doves
March 28th, 2011
12:03 pm
Does anyone care to hear from Blank at this time? Unless its to say we are done, labor strife over his letters are pretty hollow. Sounds something like when your wife leaves you but tells you she appreciates your support through her tough time and hopefully she will get through it with your support? Don’t p on me and tell me its raining.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 28th, 2011
12:07 pm
Tom: Great point!
Al Bundy: When’s the next Polk High reunion? You’re a star!!! Still in the shoe business?
Greg Moundine
March 28th, 2011
12:07 pm
Authur, my best advice is for you to stay neutral and do not say anything! You at this moment is one of the best liked owners. Keep it that way!
The Ghost of Norm Van Brocklin
March 28th, 2011
12:12 pm
The score is:
Billionaires 0
Millionaires 0
Fans 0
AGAIN, THIS IS NOT YOUR 9-5 JOB !!!
March 28th, 2011
12:22 pm
Will people please stop saying anything like “If I go to my boss and ask for his financial records……” !!! Please use your brain cells! Do you have a CBA with your boss? Do you have some kind of revenue/profit sharing with your boss? Are you the actual product why customers spend their money? Common people, don’t be so blind! The owners don’t care about you the fan because they were premeditated in this move (they opted out and tried to continue to collect money after the lockout)! Do any of you need me to help you with your money? I’ll take care of you like the best, Madoff !!!
dean
March 28th, 2011
12:28 pm
If they play, I’ll watch. If they don’t, I don’t care. I don’t NEED the game.
Guess what Owners and Players. There are a lot of people just like me.
WILLIAM E CHAPMAN
March 28th, 2011
12:38 pm
Highly important news.
Steve
March 28th, 2011
1:01 pm
Why is it that pro athletes are the only labor group I know of that gets the right to collectively bargain (their Union) as well as the right to bargain as individuals (through their agents)? It seems to me that this arrangement is inherently unfair to the Owners. The players get the best of both worlds, both union and non-union, and none of the downside.
Al Bundy
March 28th, 2011
1:11 pm
Yes, I’m still selling shoes. Actually, I’m pulling for a season with replacement players. When Arthur finds out that I’m available, maybe I can put some distance between me and the shoe store, as well as Peg.
Chris
March 28th, 2011
1:21 pm
The owner’s have an investment in this business. This is their business. No player is required to play. They have a choice of their career. No player invest’s their own money into the team. They get paid to do a job. Do it, or don’t. But Blank paid 550 million dollars for the team, and gives out 100 million a year in salaries for just the players.
Jimmy
March 28th, 2011
1:29 pm
As long as you don’t try and charge me $67 per seat to watch a replacement player, I can care less about you boys not wanting to part with anymore of your billions.
RedandBlack
March 28th, 2011
1:42 pm
Are you going to display my previous comment that I sent at 1:34pm or not?
hangman
March 28th, 2011
1:46 pm
Age discrimination!
Safety!
Low wages!
Our government took care of these problems Now there’s no need for unions except to feed the billfolds of the scummy leaders.
Unions have forced business out of business (i.e. textile industries in the South), they’ve forced businesses to leave (i.e. the steel industry). they have forced prices so high that the American public cannot
afford to buy American made products (i.e. automobiles). The unions deserve to be where ever Jimmy Hoffa is – gone and forgotten.
Jimmy and all the unions can rest in hell and America would be a better place to work and live.
Larry
March 28th, 2011
1:50 pm
Here’s a thought, Arthur…
Please suspend payments for Season Ticket Holders until an agreement is reached and/or pay a fair interest for holding my $5800.00 for as much as six months.
THIS will prove to your loyal customers your genuine concern more that any words or print!
Shane Falco
March 28th, 2011
1:51 pm
I have no problem with another chance at glory, which lasts forever!
Lloyd Christmas
March 28th, 2011
2:01 pm
Larry, did you really pay $5800 for the “possibilty” of football tickets? Would you consider helping me and my pal, Harry? We’re thinking of getting another Lamborghini and this would go a long way toward the down payment. We’ll send you a IOU. We promise!
dz
March 28th, 2011
2:16 pm
I’m a season ticket holder as well…
My next payment is April 4th, because I chose the payment plan over 4 months. It was either pay now, pay 20% now and 80% next month, or 20% per month over the next 5 months.
I wish the Falcons were like some other teams, and not make us pay until training camp starts (if it does) or until we know for sure there is Football.
The Onion
March 28th, 2011
2:36 pm
Will Billionaire Arthur Blank think that he got…”a deal that was than fair”
when the taxpayers tell him to pay for a new stadium out of his own money ??
Just asking.
The Onion
March 28th, 2011
2:38 pm
BTW, are that Falcons fans that complain about ticket prices, the very same voters that
demand “free” healthcare. paid for by other taxpayers, so that Falcons fans can still afford their season tickets?
Just asking.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 28th, 2011
2:40 pm
If nobody hires the players then what do they do with their lives? If the owners don’t sign the pay checks how do the players get paid? If the owners use their personal resouces to purchase these franchises then why do the players have a say in how they run them?
gdawginkalamazoo
March 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
And sure if Aurthur wants a new stadium he needs to pay for it. Not a damn thing wrong with the Georgia Dome. Tax dollars shouldn;t be used for stadiums that are not needed.
Steve
March 28th, 2011
3:12 pm
Arthur Blank was perfectly willing to build a new stadium, but is was going to be in the suburbs. The old GM site in Doraville was originally proposed. It is the the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCC) that is trying desperately to keep the Falcons downtown. They are dangling the carrot in front of Blank about building a new stadium downtown on their property. I believe the GWCC needs the Falcons much more than the Falcons need the GWCC. Arthur Blank has not demanded anything from them, except to say that he will not be signing a new lease at the Dome under the current arrangement.
jp
March 28th, 2011
3:32 pm
Who cares??? Players and owners make too much $$$$$$$$$$. Most of us will never see the kind of salarys the players make in a life time. We, the poor compaired to the owners and players should be the ones complaining about how costly it is to go to a game. I am done. I have always watched the Pro’s now I am going to watch Ga. Tech Football.
N8
March 28th, 2011
3:55 pm
The fans will pay the price figuratively then literally. Once an agreement is made each team will raise their ticket prices. There are 125 channels on my tv that don’t carry football games. I can be happy watching the Discovery Channel. Better yet, I can go outside and throw the football with my son. There was life before te NFL and there will be life after the NFL. I hope they don’t play this year. Let the players sweat their finances like normal people do.
N8
March 28th, 2011
4:00 pm
Blank appears to be saying in the photo “You know guys we are all very smart men. We have grown men that play a kids game and stupid Americans are willing to miss car payments to come watch them play football. I should have gotten into this industry years ago. Its better than the Home Depot !”
N8
March 28th, 2011
4:02 pm
There’s 4 people in the photo. I guess the 4th guy is a stadium worker dressed in a suit ?
True Falcon Fan
March 28th, 2011
4:12 pm
@N8 — BLAHBLAHBLAH
You must just like reading your own BS
Go Falcons
Waffle House
March 28th, 2011
4:18 pm
Hey Arthur open the books!!!
JSS
March 28th, 2011
4:47 pm
Steve
March 28th, 2011
1:01 pm
“Why is it that pro athletes are the only labor group I know of that gets the right to collectively bargain (their Union) as well as the right to bargain as individuals (through their agents)?”
The key word is “agreement!” Unions do not inherently keep its members from having the right to negotiate. What that they do is set floors for compensation, workplace conditions, and provide a grievance voice between management and its member(s).
So to be clear, the agents must adhere to certain parameters in representing their clients. The members (the players) are protected by certification of agents who promise to do just such. Where get confused, it is not best of all worlds. You can be a member of **any** union in this country and choose to be represented by a negotiating agent. However, most union members choose to have the union itself on the local chapter level. By the way, most business associations (as the NFL happens to be) do the same exact thing. They are not the American auto industry, the old big 4 could have collectively bargained as a trust, but they would have been subject to heavy Federal rules regarding being a restrictive commercial being. The courts have been clear, the NFL is just such an entity. The players gain them immense leeway in the form of CBAs. You want the owners to have their cakes (they are 32 individual teams in an association) and the ability to eat them too! They (the owners) gain far more from bargaining collectively then they lose.
It seems to me that this arrangement is inherently unfair to the Owners. The players get the best of both worlds, both union and non-union, and none of the downside.
JSS
March 28th, 2011
5:27 pm
Clarifications
Where (you) get confused, it is not best of all worlds.
However, most union members choose to have the union itself on the local chapter level (by a union contract negotiating committee).
The players (gave) them (the owners) immense leeway in the form of CBAs.
The last paragraph was Steve’s assessment, and should have been deleted.
hbcuclassics
March 28th, 2011
5:37 pm
2011 HBCU Classic Sports Draft Board (1-10)
1. Kenrick Ellis 6-5, 340 DT Hampton – AP/FCS All-American
2. Clifford Eugene 6’1, 198 FS Tenn State- FCS All-American
3. Johnny Culbreath 6’5, 285 OT SC State – AP/FCS All-American,
4. Derrin Nettles 6’4, 320 DT Morehouse - AFCA All-American
5. Ibrihim Abdulai 6’3, 282 DT Arkansas PB – All-SWAC
6. Frank Warren 5’10, 195 RB Grambling - 2010 SWAC POY
7. Larry Donnell 6’6, 260 TE Grambling - All-SWAC
8. Arvell Nelson 6’5, 228 QB Tx Southern - 2010 SWAC Champ
9. Rico Council 6’0, 254 OLB TN State - All-OVC
10. KJ Black 6’3, 230 QB Prairie View 2009 SWAC POY
hbcuclassics.com
dawgfan
March 28th, 2011
6:17 pm
Get rid of all unions and just play football!
old man
March 28th, 2011
6:36 pm
I like Blank–he’s a great owner for whom we should all be grateful. But his letter shows that even smart, well-intentioned people can “drink the Kool-Aid” when they are passionate about something.
Fact is, the owners want to change the deal, not the players. Another fact is, the owners got caught “cookin’ the books” with that bogus TV deal.
On the merits, a flat billion for expenses off the top of a 6 billion dollar pile of money (several years ago) is not the same as a flat billion off the top of 10 billion dollars today. Expenses have gone up, and that number needs to be adjusted. But the owners’ number is way out of line, and, like I said, they were flat out caught cheating on that TV deal. Personal foul, 15 yards.
The players and the owners are all rich spoiled brats. But the owners are richer and more spoiled. And the heaviest thing they have to lift on their job is a double scotch on the rocks. Is brain cell loss from alcohol worse than chronic concussion syndrome? Hmmm. Gotta think about that one–over a drink.
Monkey Barf
March 28th, 2011
6:51 pm
Fans vote by refusing to buy tickets…season, game package or individual games. I say show these greedy billionaire owners and their millionaire employees…that you don’t need their product to survive. Don’t buy the tickets. Find another activity in which to invest your time and money and “fandom.” You will be richer and better for it! Monkey barf on all them!
I Saw It On TV
March 28th, 2011
7:04 pm
Maybe all in all, when you really think about it, the NFL, the owners, and the players don’t deserve the windfall the fan base has given them. We have members of our military dying every day, our police officers losing a war against criminals growing in numbers, Natural disasters in Thailand, Haiti, and Japan just to name a few. US citizens who just a few years ago were living the dream and are now barely holding on to their homes. Let’s not forget the greed that spawned the current economy. Super bacteria spreading throughout the US (yes, wash your hands). It’s generating billions of dollars in revenue and players salaries and yet we have all this petty fighting. Would I miss the NFL not playing this season? Yes I would, I enjoy it. But I’ll live without it and a small smile will come across my face as the petty participants reap what they sew. Such greed, what a shame.
Elmo Groga
March 28th, 2011
7:28 pm
“First” is a phuquing pathetic idiot.
Dawg A
March 28th, 2011
7:40 pm
Is just curious why the esteemed AJC beat writer for the Falcons won’t comment on the many of us that are slamming Arthur! Will this cause you to lose access and the free hot dogs? You can’t be alright with Arthur taking our money and holding the money he already has taken hostage!!!
jim jr
March 28th, 2011
10:04 pm
hey blank, why dont you cool it with the preachy shysterness and tell us how you will pay for your own stadium?
awesompt
March 29th, 2011
12:53 am
Blank…..you’re already a billlionaire. If I were a player, I wouldn’t agree to let you take another billion off the top before I got mine either. Why don’t you do gone on the side line with pads on and show us that you’re willing to sacrifice your body for your team? Me? I’m done with all you idiots who are rich and want to give me a thousand and one excuses about why you can’t reach an agreement and just play some freaking ball. I’ll be watching college ball this year…even if you do work it out and have a season. I used to be a dedicated Falcons fan….no more. I’m done with all you rich boy punks. If enough of us walk away from your game, you’ll hopefully loose your shirt within a year.
college is forever
March 29th, 2011
7:35 am
http://www.collegelunchboxes.com All you have to do is move three high profile college games to Sunday and one to Monday Lets say they start a 1pm, 4pm and 8pm (Sunday and Monday) Even if your not a college fan you soon will be and then when the fans are getting their football fix on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Only the truly hardcore will miss the NFL and you will see how fast everybody gets this resolved. Go Dawgs!!
AlanFalcon
March 29th, 2011
8:58 am
Unions are the 2nd coming of slavery, the only difference is that you pay to belong and then let the union bosses tell you what the rest of your life is going to be !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .
Big Dude
March 29th, 2011
8:58 am
All you who are angry at Arthur Blank are just jealous that he worked hard for what he has and you didn’t. “take from the rich and give to the poor”. Sounds like socialism to me. On an international level it’s called “Colonialism”…. Please forgive America for being stronger and more economicly sound than your country! Sound like anybody you know?
I Saw It On TV
March 29th, 2011
9:02 am
Let me think, what would Rankin Smith have done in this situation. Hmmmm……………
joewhite
March 29th, 2011
9:56 am
dam right harris this aint politcs and the current president cant touch what the last two idots has done to our country. Blame bush and the republicans for this crap.I am here to talk about football, just had to get that out my system since harris went there. Once i see a football contract signed blank like the past 16years the falcons will have my money. I cant pay for something that does not exists and right now the nfl does not exist.
FALCON JOE BLOW
March 29th, 2011
10:28 am
THE OWNERS AND PLAYERS ARE GREEDY. NEITHER SIDE CARE ABOUT THE WORKING FOLKS WHO CAN BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET. THEY MAKE MORE IN ONE DAY OR WEEK THEN MOST PEOPLE MAKE IN A YEAR. THEY SHOULD RETURN SOME OF THIS MONEY BACK TO THE FANS BY LOWERING TICKET PRICES (LOL).
The Faithful
March 29th, 2011
11:02 am
It is all about greed and if you think it isn’t…well…what can I say.
The fact is that this is a game and the players are great at playing a game, but they have a choice as to pursue a game as a means of making money (probably what they consider easy money) or not.
The owners are not poor by any means and they buy teams to massage their egos and be seen in a more public light. They do want to make money because it is an investment to them.
If the players really sought to maximize their income they would organize their own league and start a collective like the soviets did. It worked for quite a few years and scared the bejeezus out of many.
The owners if they want to control the salaries should just draft 60 players each, start over with rookies, institute a pay scale that maximizes their income and if the members want to come over from the players league, they get paid based on the scale that the owners set.
And vice versa.
Competition is good.
Where is Donald Trump and the USFL when you need it?
E's Dirty Birds
March 29th, 2011
11:46 am
@Harris… what happens when you grow a brain?
PTC DAWG
March 29th, 2011
12:47 pm
I would fire the players and start over. In 4 years, the quality would be just as good as it was last year.
Ed
March 29th, 2011
1:48 pm
I have lost a lot of respect for both sides of the aisle on this one. The owners are selfish billionaires and the players are whining about how little they make. I will still watch and love the Falcons when football returns but I have to try not to think about the fact that they are all out for themselves.
Gwinnett Fred
March 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
I love his comment today: “there will be professional football in Atlanta in 2011″
Well, since arena football is professional and they have already started playing in 2011 – he wasn’t going out on much of a limb with that statement.
JJ acts like a va-jay-jay
March 29th, 2011
5:14 pm
the players are the PRODUCT. what other business has this model. the FANS come to see the PLAYERS play not OWNERS in some suit. Most ppl dont even know who their owner is and dont care in the least bit. this is a partnership between the NFL and NFLPA. open the books, stop the blod clot whining or karma will sit on u. and she’s a big b****! lol
RiseUporSitDown
April 1st, 2011
12:43 pm
From John – “The fans are organizing and forming their own ownership groups! The owners are going to lose! Check out sportsownership.com All teams are still available. This will be the biggest sports story of the century! Don’t miss out.”
Sounds great but don’t the teams have to be for sale? And why would the NFL allow the fans to be owners?
I don’t know what the answer is to all this back and forth BS between the owners and players. I do know that we, the fans, have the control. We are just too damn ignorant and too damn pathetic to do something about it. I say pathetic because all we have to do is walk away. But we won’t. We need the entertainment. Look nobody is perfect but damn people how much more are you willing to take, or in this case give. I used to give my support to the NFL as a season ticket holder. Lost my job and couldn’t see spending that kind of money on entertaining myself. Nobody is perfect, just walk away and let them all lose their livelihoods. I would love to see Blank working a cash register at Home Depot or have Roddy White ask me if I would like fries with my order.
Old Dawg
April 1st, 2011
12:45 pm
Overall, I’m a college football fan. I’ll watch the NFL if the weather’s crap or there’s nothing else to do.
One of the few areas of this debate I agree with owners on is rookie compensation. There should be a salary cap for players until they prove themselves. Their contracts can have incentive clauses if performance on the field mets conditions set on the contract.
The 18-game season is a joke. The league should cut the pre-season to two games and have a 14 game season with two bye weeks. The players get beat up too much and when too players go down, so does a team’s performance.
Like many other folks have written, without the players there is no league. The owners know this, or should know it.
As for new stadiums, that’s a joke. Just because a bunch of rich guys want nicer places to entertain during games, the teams should be able to upgrade current facilities without an entirely new stadium. Building new stadiums is really a nut-job’s rationale.