Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Everyone has heard the phrase “show me the money” and that seems to be what the players are saying to the NFL owners. While the owners are claiming that owning an NFL franchise is actually a losing investment. Which one is closest to the truth? Decide for yourself after reading the top five reasons for both sides not signing the CBA (collective bargaining agreement).

Top 5 Reasons for the Owners:

5 – Stadium attendance is down; owners say that ticket sales are down because the actual game experience just isn’t quite what it used to be for the fans and that the players need to help find a way to re-ignite the fire and excitement.

4 – Want a new judge to arbitrate the negotiations; the owners feel that the current judge, David Doty, is biased towards the players and want a replacement.

3 – Fighting within the owners; one example is that some of the owners are willing to sell the naming rights to their stadiums (which brings in more money for that particular owner) and others will not.

2 – Rookies get paid too much; owners feel that the pay scale is out of control. For example, the first round draft picks usually earn more than the proven, vested veterans before they even play their first game.

1 – Owners feel that the NFL players are currently getting more than their fair share; the NFL players, after the owners take the one billion dollar credit, get a little under 60% of the total revenue.

Top 5 Reasons for the Players:

5 – Want more control over contracts; naturally the restricting fee agency and length of contracts is a sticking point.

4 – Medical coverage; this is mainly for the retired players as the union has put the needs on the current players for years and they want this to change especially since new information is being found on long term brain damage within the sport.

3 – Want to share in all revenues; right now after the first billion dollars in revenue the players get almost 60% of the remaining money. However, the remaining money comes from things like licensing, broadcast fees and ticket sales; whereas the owners still get to keep revenue from concessions, parking and stadium naming rights which means the players are really getting a smaller piece of the pie.

2 – Do not want to extend the playing season; owners want to extend the season by two games as a way of making more money. The players don’t want this and one reason cited is because the injuries in this sport with the shortest career lifespan are already at an all time high.

1 – Players want access to the “books”; if indeed an NFL franchise is a losing venture like the owners say it is then the players feel that the owners should be willing to have a third party review the ledgers (eradicating any sensitive information) and share the findings with the players.

Obviously the bottom line between the two sides is a lack of trust, so do the players have a point? Should the owners be more open with the finances? Or, should the players be grateful for what they already have?

Related articles

• NFL Coaches Association Urges Owners To End Lockout, Sides With Players (sbnation.com)
• NFL lockout causes cracks in fan loyalty (csmonitor.com)
• You: NFL Lockout: 5 Reasons the 2011 NFL Season Will Not Start on Time (bleacherreport.com)
• Ominous signs arise in NFL lockout (thestar.com)
• NFL Lockout Timeline Sent To Players (sbnation.com)

If you were included in the estimated 56% of the United States that watched Super Bowl XLV, you most likely saw a botched national anthem, a hard fought contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the victorious Green Bay Packers, and a bunch of commercials that you either loved or hated.  Can you think of something you didn’t see?

No, not another wardrobe “malfunction.”  Well, sort of, actually.

Cheerleaders.  You didn’t see one single cheerleader.  Don’t worry, you didn’t miss them while you ran to the fridge.  There just weren’t any there at the big game in Big D.  While some are sure to miss the beautiful dancing divas, others are glad they weren’t there.

“We will have a great game – we don’t need eye candy,” Steelers guard Trai Essex said in the days leading up to the game.

Pittsburgh teammate Antwaan Randle El, asked if he cared that there would be no cheer squads on the sidelines, quickly replied, “Yeah, I care – I’m glad they’re not here.  They are a distraction. You want to focus on the game. If you happen to look at the [giant overhead screens], it’s “Oh, my Lord!’ Especially in Dallas. They not only have cheerleaders, they have go-go [-style dancers] hanging from poles” on fan-accessible levels of Cowboy Stadium.

It’s not like these teams made the decision to not bring cheerleaders this week, mind you.  Both teams have not employed a “full-time” pep squad in approximately 20 years now.

Since the late 1980′s, the Packers have been using cheerleaders from the Green Bay campus of the University of Wisconsin, as well as another local college.  These girls, dressed more moderately than most other squads in the NFL, are used only for home games at Lambeau Field.

Likewise, the Steelers use to have their own cheer crew dating back to 40 years ago.  That was the last time however, since Pittsburgh gave their girls the ax in 1970.

Whether or not the absence of the girls made an effect on the game is impossible to tell.  Apparently it did not effect Packers quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 304 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions, respectively.  As for the other offensive unit in the game, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made several mistakes that lead to turnovers and, more importantly, points for Green Bay.

As you probably already know, Green Bay won the game 31-25.  Is it because the Packers still have some sort of a cheerleading squad?  Highly doubtful.  Even if both sidelines had 150 cheerleaders each on them, you still only would have seen them during a quick pan-over from a camera during a time out.  Perhaps during a return from a commercial break, where the network covers up the entire screen with credit card, beer, or car company logos, and all you can see is some blond hair above it, and kneecaps kicking under it.

All we’re saying is that we didn’t even notice the cheerleader’s absence until we read articles about it the day after the game.  So that should say something as to their importance.  Football purists and modern casual fans will disagree on this point until the end of time.  Feel free to throw in your two cents in the comments below.

Related articles

• Green Bay Packers Win Super Bowl XLV Against Pittsburgh Steelers Final Score 31 to 25 (brainz.org)
• Green Bay schools close early to cheer Super Bowl win – Reuters (news.google.com)
• Green Bay Packers Hold Off Pittsburgh Steelers for Super Bowl XLV Win (bleacherreport.com)
• Factbox: Key facts on Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers(reuters.com)
• A Super Bowl oddity: No cheerleaders for Packers or Steelers – USA Today (news.google.com)

After losing in a 31-17 game during Super Bowl XLIV to the New Orleans Saints, the Indianapolis Colts are listed as the number one contenders in front of the Saints; but where do the rest fall?

According to several ESPN writers the top five are rounded out by the Vikings (where Brett Favre was waiting to announce his return), Cowboys (who are ready to get a “home game” Super Bowl win and the Baltimore Ravens (who firmly believe that they possess a turbo powered offense).

Sitting at number six among those polled are the Packers who need a little more pass protection for their quarterback, Aaron Rodgers and the number 7 position goes to the New York Jets who now have 12 of the position players from the Pro Bowl. The Atlanta Falcons have been put in position 8 since running back Michael Turner is now healthy and in good condition.

Position 9 has been given to the Patriots as it seems that Tom Brady may just be capable of keeping the team ahead of the rest of the AFC teams. In spot 10 we have the San Diego Chargers, although if they had Vincent Jackson the spot may be a little more secure. At number 11 sits the Cincinnati Bengals and number 12 goes to the San Francisco 49ers that finally have a strong defense and providing quarterback Alex Smith is up to the challenge.

Number 13 is being assigned to the Dolphins where Chad Henne is about to see if is able to go up against the other big boys of the AFC East. At 14 are the Houston Texans where their passing defense will play a big part in their fate. Position 15 goes to the Cardinals and at 16 the Giants will need to straighten out their problems with the defense in order to remain in contention.

Ranked at number 17 the Philadelphia Eagles show lots of talent but their schedule is what is lowering their ranking. Showing good offensive skills the Tennessee Titans have been placed at number 18 and position 19 goes to the Steelers while there is some doubt that those first games without Ben Roethlisberger could have a huge affect on the season. Position 20 has been given to the Redskins where new quarterback Donovan McNabb will most likely add at least one touchdown for each game.

At 21 sits the Chicago Bears, 22 goes to the Carolina Panthers who have the youngest roster in the NFL and 23 has been assigned to the Denver Broncos. Spot 24 has been saved for the Raiders and 25 goes to the Seattle Seahawks although the original expectations for Whitehurst were dampened when they started practicing. Number 26 has been set for the Jaguars, 27 is reserved for the K.C. Chiefs where it is hoped that Eric Berry can offer some immediate help.

The Cleveland Browns are currently in 28th place by those polled followed by the Detroit Lions, who have no where to go except up, at number 29. The Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills and St. Louis Rams are 30, 31 and 32 respectively.