The NFL Season Is Jeopardized

I still believe the NFL season will start on Labour Day Sunday as it has for so many years in the past even though the owners have now officially locked out the players. With four months to go until training camps get ready to start, I can't see the world's most popular league taking the chance that its game will be hurt in several different ways if it is not brought to its fans. The owners and the players have seen what a baseball strike did and yes, what a hockey strike did as well. I just can't see them rolling the dice hoping they will get the fans back that crave their football.

Meanwhile, NFL head honcho Roger Goodell has penned a letter to fans. Here is the first shot of rhetoric that you will get.

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.
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Speaking of commissioners, word is NHL commish Gary Bettman has silently signed a new 36 million dollar contract. What do you think about that hockey fans?
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It was elimination night in the SJHL as three of the eight teams remaining said "au revoir" for the season. Estevan, Flin Flon and Weyburn all saw their seasons come to an end last night. It means the Terriers and Klippers in one division final with La Ronge playing either Melfort or Humboldt in the other. That Mustangs-Broncos series is tied at 2. Game 5 is tonight, Game 6 is tomorrow.
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The Pats playoff chances took another hit last night as they were beaten at the Dome by the Warriors. The two teams meet tonight in what will be the last ever game between the two teams at the Civic Centre in what I think will be pretty emotional night. I also get the feeling it will be a wild one. The first game between these two in Moose Jaw many years ago resulted in a brawl and my spidey senses tell me there will be some fireworks tonight as well. I just hope it stays on the ice and not off of it as there are many Pat fans making the trip. Alas, I won't be one of them.
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Speaking of the Warriors, the five men who have called games for that hockey team have all been gracious enough to give me a few paragraphs on what it was like to call games at the Civic Centre. I will be posting that before the weekend is over.
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If the Cougar ladies basketball team can play the way they did in the 2nd half last night, they may come home from Windsor with a national championship. Thanks to some solid play from Joanna Zalesiak and Dani Schmidt, the Cougars beat Victoria to advance to tonight's regional final against Wilfrid Laurier. I hope the gym is packed for that one.
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With all apologies to those that want to see Ben Hebert here for the world curling championships, I will be cheering for Jeff Stoughton in the Brier final as he beat Brad Gushue in the 1-2 game to advance to Sunday's final. I had to laugh at Murray McCormick's story in the LP this morning. Murray ( who has done his usual outstanding job in covering the Brier) writes Manitoba is one win away from ending its Brier drought that hasn't seen them win since 1999. This from a guy who writes for a Saskatchewan paper. That drought is nothing compared to what we've gone through.
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The weather network is calling for temperatures to be above or just slightly below the zero mark for the next two weeks. IS IT OVER?!
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Saving the best for last, I am a proud papa today. My daughter won a city wrestling championship yesterday. She finished 2nd in the cities in her first year of the sport last year and now she's number one with provincials next weekend. She even won without having to use a chair or a foreign object on her opponent!!