The Seattle Screwjob

[cpzilliacus]

Does anyone have that deja vu feeling again, because this was the second year in a row in which a lockout occurred? (last year, it was the players)

The dispute with the players was over serious amounts of money that the NFL team owners have to pay their workers.

By comparison, the amount of money that the NFL pays their game officials is a pittance in the scheme of things.

$150,000 per year for part-time work as a referee??  Grossly overpaid.

I vigorously disagree. 

Doing officiating of pro football is hard work, and it requires a lot of training and a lot of education, and a willingness to mingle on the field (with no pads and no helmets) with some very big and very fast-moving and very strong men.

Much less of those than for a police officer, or for a firefighter, or for a soldier, and they work full-time, and they get paid far less.

Much less than what the President of the United States gets paid (when computed on an hourly basis). 

Your point is?

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun: NFL officials receive loud cheers in first night back

Washington Post: "˜That kind of chokes you up': Referees cheered at first NFL game following end of lockout

[Beltway]

Does anyone have that deja vu feeling again, because this was the second year in a row in which a lockout occurred? (last year, it was the players)

The dispute with the players was over serious amounts of money that the NFL team owners have to pay their workers.

By comparison, the amount of money that the NFL pays their game officials is a pittance in the scheme of things.

$150,000 per year for part-time work as a referee??  Grossly overpaid.

I vigorously disagree. 

Doing officiating of pro football is hard work, and it requires a lot of training and a lot of education, and a willingness to mingle on the field (with no pads and no helmets) with some very big and very fast-moving and very strong men.

Much less of those than for a police officer, or for a firefighter, or for a soldier, and they work full-time, and they get paid far less.

Much less than what the President of the United States gets paid (when computed on an hourly basis). 

Your point is?

What logical business compensation model would not pay the President far more than a referee, a police officer, a firefighter, or a soldier?

[agentsteel53]

why are we using the president as an example?  if we're looking for executives who are given colossal compensation packages (sometimes rightly, sometimes wrongly), look to the business world.

I can't even tell who is being overpaid according to this back-and-forth argument.

[Grzrd]

if we're looking for executives who are given colossal compensation packages (sometimes rightly, sometimes wrongly), look to the business world.

Better yet, look to the NFL and what they pay Roger Goodell:

Roger Goodell recently received a five-year contract extension from the NFL, and according to a report, his salary will "double" up to $20 million annually by the end of the deal .... Goodell received $9.89 million in base salary according to federal tax returns filed by the NFL last year.

Position his $10 million against the $3 million for the refs ...

[cpzilliacus]

if we're looking for executives who are given colossal compensation packages (sometimes rightly, sometimes wrongly), look to the business world.

Better yet, look to the NFL and what they pay Roger Goodell:

Roger Goodell recently received a five-year contract extension from the NFL, and according to a report, his salary will "double" up to $20 million annually by the end of the deal .... Goodell received $9.89 million in base salary according to federal tax returns filed by the NFL last year.

Position his $10 million against the $3 million for the refs ...

And I think it safe to say that the refs matter a lot more to the pro game than Goodell does.

[Special K]

if we're looking for executives who are given colossal compensation packages (sometimes rightly, sometimes wrongly), look to the business world.

Better yet, look to the NFL and what they pay Roger Goodell:

Roger Goodell recently received a five-year contract extension from the NFL, and according to a report, his salary will "double" up to $20 million annually by the end of the deal .... Goodell received $9.89 million in base salary according to federal tax returns filed by the NFL last year.

Position his $10 million against the $3 million for the refs ...

And I think it safe to say that the refs matter a lot more to the pro game than Goodell does.

Which of the two have had the greater affect on the game?

[Alps]

People should be paid according to the value of their work. By that model, professional athletes bring millions to the team in terms of paying fans and millions to advertising companies in terms of their star power attracting buyers. So that's fair. On the other hand, I wouldn't want anyone in our government being paid that much. In fact, I think they're paid FAR too much now. You should get a salary equal to the US median when you're in public office. No matter what position you hold, from representative #435 to President, all the same salary. The idea is, you're not doing this for money, you're doing this to serve the public. Maybe that would go a little way to help reform Washington. Also, no pensions. You can contribute to a 401(k), and take out your own money at the end, but that's it.

[triplemultiplex]

150 grand a year for a ref is nothing in America's most popular and profitable professional sport.  What's the profit margin on those $tadium conce$$ions?  There's a reason why some TV documentaries are obligated to pixelize team logos that happen to appear in archival footage.  The first 3 weeks of this season have proved that these pro refs are worth every penny.

If you think the fans in Baltimore were grateful for the pro refs to be back, giving them an nice standing ovation, catch the start of the Saints - Packers game Sunday if you can. Those guys will drink for free in any bar in Wisconsin this weekend.

[cpzilliacus]

If you think the fans in Baltimore were grateful for the pro refs to be back, giving them an nice standing ovation, catch the start of the Saints - Packers game Sunday if you can. Those guys will drink for free in any bar in Wisconsin this weekend.

The fans in Baltimore were very happy to have the real refs back. So were at least some of the Ravens players, including, in particular, Ray Lewis, who was shown on the broadcast hugging Gene Steratore (even though Gene lives in Southwest Pennsylvania, not exactly home to that many fans of the Baltimore NFL team).

[mgk920]

150 grand a year for a ref is nothing in America's most popular and profitable professional sport.  What's the profit margin on those $tadium conce$$ions?  There's a reason why some TV documentaries are obligated to pixelize team logos that happen to appear in archival footage.  The first 3 weeks of this season have proved that these pro refs are worth every penny.

If you think the fans in Baltimore were grateful for the pro refs to be back, giving them an nice standing ovation, catch the start of the Saints - Packers game Sunday if you can. Those guys will drink for free in any bar in Wisconsin this weekend.

It's gonna be a raucous one, to be sure!  I'll be at it in our little family heirlooms and with the returning 'real' refs and the *SAINTS* (remember the bounty thing, including at the Week 1 season opener last year?), it'll be one not to miss!

(deciding not to use any of the smilies here just to avoid cluttering the posting)

Mike

[NYYPhil777]

Finally, the Saints won a game this year! Brees beat Unitas' record by throwing a touchdown for the 48th consecutive game as the Saints beat the Chargers (@ Saints) 31-24!