Owners are pleading poverty. It's probably accurate in some cases, mostly small market teams. But, they don't want to open their books to show it. They want an 18 game season, which opens up players to more injury. They don't want to take steps to provide for injured players long term. Players were right to de-certify their union. I don't agree with the huge salaries players ask for, but I hope the courts smack down the owners.

>I guess it's a game of chicken but I don't get this at all. The NFL is by far America's most popular sport and the owners and players are both getting filthy rich. Why do the owners feel the need to claw back a billion dollars when they are doing so well? Both sides are killing the golden goose. Bob Kraft, the owner of the Patriots, put it perfectly -- if we let it come to that we are all insane.
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>Do they not remember the damage done by the player strike in the 1980s? The damage done to hockey by their strike? It took years to get the fans back. And where are the TV networks in this? NFL football is their most reliable cash cow. Surely there is a voice of reason out there somewhere.