2011 Lockout more than an economic issue for the NFL and Player's Association

Now that the 2009 football season is over, it's time to begin preparing for next season and the following season. The NFL players Association could be looking at a 2010 season with no salary cap and, if the collective bargaining agreement expires as scheduled in March 2011, a lockout year. In light of the Saints' superbowl victory (considered by some as a symbol of hope for the recovering city of New Orleans) and heightening popularity, what is perceived by many to be an economic issue is quickly becoming one of great PR speculation.

The Saints', considered to be the underdog, made their first championship appearance in the history of the franchise on Sunday. The franchise emphasized over and over that the Superbowl was much more than a game. Following the win, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, the Super bowl MVP, was quoted saying "we played for so much more than just ourselves. We played for our city. We played for the entire Gulf Coast region. We played for the entire Who Dat Nation who was behind us every step of the way." This victory has revived the devastated city of New Orleans.

The victory has transformed the Super bowl victory in to much more than a game. It has become a symbol of hope for New Orleans. Citing an ESPN article today on the very topic (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=4896251&sportCat=nfl) I thought the author made some very good points. Now that it is much more than a game, the lockout is much more than a collective bargaining tactic. Quoting the article, the author wrote:

"I have to say this team means more to the people of Louisiana than any team in the NFL,'' said Porter. "No one is behind this team as much as the people of New Orleans. They're just as much a part of this victory as we are.''

Hear that, Goodell and Smith? Your ridiculous posturing over revenue sharing threatens the very thing that helped sustain the city of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The Saints are partly responsible for New Orleans recovering its heart, its soul and its confidence. What Katrina took away, the Saints gave back.

I think that following the Saints' victory, and the meaning it holds to many, the NFL and the Player's Association must consider and address this. I think the implications of the lockout PR-wise cannot be ignored. The impact of Katrina on not only the Gulf Coast, but the whole country, pose potentially devastating backlash on the NFL and the Player's Association. Quoting the same article as above,

Think long and hard about what you do next, Goodell and Smith. What was here today -- a Super Bowl that meant something -- could be gone tomorrow.
Over money.
You want that to be your legacies?
Sincerely,
The non-millionaires and non-billionaires

I'd like to add 'and your PR people' on to that signature.

-ev