One Quick Labor Fight Blurb

The one thing I have been thinking about lately and trying to figure out is, who's side to take in the fight between the NFL owners and the NFL players.  While I have not figured that out yet, this morning another thought came to me that is a point for the owners.

Everybody knows that we are in a recession, and during this recession most businesses, individuals, and families have been negatively affected by it.  The NFL owners have been affected, and if you don't realize that then you did not watch much football this year.  While most stadiums are still announcing sell out crowds, if you watch the games and look in the stands you see a lot more empty seats than normal.  How are they still announcing sell outs?  The owners/teams are buying the tickets at $.39 on the dollar to avoid blackouts, that way they still get the airtime, the advertising money, and don't alienate their fan base.  Still the point is revenues had to have not been maxed out this year because of that (even though TV ratings were higher than ever which proves my point that more people are watching them then going to the games).  So we know that the owners and their revenues and profits suffered like most American businesses, and what happens when a business struggles?  There are either layoffs, reduced pay, or no raises.  Did the NFL players see a reduction in the payroll or staff?  No, the salary cap increased again this year like it has every year since it was introduced. We know that each team still employs the same number of players (53) as before, so there were no mass layoffs.  Why should the NFL players be exempt from feeling the effects of a bad economy?  The business they work for feels it, their customers feel it, and yet they keep getting raises (maybe not individually, but as a whole).  Basically I think the owners have the upper hand in this area, and it is not unreasonable for them to ask for a little back from the players.  Yes they are all billionaires, but if their return on investment is not up to their standards, then what is the point of them owning teams?  And the last thing we want is a bunch of owners fleeing the NFL, trust me it would be bad for everyone.......