[Bruce Wang]

I've been saying that as Stanford produces more NFL players, they will produce leaders that will seek a better deal in terms of compensation and health for other players.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19976...r-salaries

It's fascinating how the underlying economics and dynamics make the people who create the value for the most popular sport claim significantly less of the economics as compared to other major sports.  It seems absurd that Floyd Mayweather can make so much money in what is now a niche sport.  I understand why it is.  Still think it's absurd.

[Bruce Wang]

I've been saying that as Stanford produces more NFL players, they will produce leaders that will seek a better deal in terms of compensation and health for other players.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19976...r-salaries

It's fascinating how the underlying economics and dynamics make the people who create the value for the most popular sport claim significantly less of the economics as compared to other major sports.  It seems absurd that Floyd Mayweather can make so much money in what is now a niche sport.  I understand why it is.  Still think it's absurd.

[stupac2]

Ultimately the problem is that the NFLPA is super weak, precisely because most NFL players have such short careers they're not willing to strike. If the owners were actually forced to confront going a season or two without any games, then the players would get a much bigger slice of the pie. But the players won't strike so owners have all the cards.

(That's ignoring the parts that are simply math, there's more money in the NFL, sure, but not enough to compensate for the brobdingnagian roster sizes. And things like making contracts guaranteed or increasing salary minimums would mostly change the distribution of money across players, and it's not clear upfront how big that change would be. I don't think anyone negotiating the old CBA saw that it would mean "stars and rookies" was how rosters would be built.)

[stupac2]

Ultimately the problem is that the NFLPA is super weak, precisely because most NFL players have such short careers they're not willing to strike. If the owners were actually forced to confront going a season or two without any games, then the players would get a much bigger slice of the pie. But the players won't strike so owners have all the cards.

(That's ignoring the parts that are simply math, there's more money in the NFL, sure, but not enough to compensate for the brobdingnagian roster sizes. And things like making contracts guaranteed or increasing salary minimums would mostly change the distribution of money across players, and it's not clear upfront how big that change would be. I don't think anyone negotiating the old CBA saw that it would mean "stars and rookies" was how rosters would be built.)

[OutsiderFan]

What is the current revenue split between owners and players in the NFL?  And what is it compared to the other major sports?

To me, the #1 thing the players need to push for is transparency from owners in terms of seeing the books of the NFL and the team owners. If players won't fall on their swords to gain this insight into league finances, they will always be at a disadvantage in negotiations.  I highly doubt Kevin Durant gives up $9 million per year if he isn't aware of Warriors team finances.  My guess is Lacob was transparent with Durant's camp about team finances, and that gave Durant the trust and comfort to give up what he could have made in the interest of the team.

It's hard to argue over what you should get when you don't know how much to split.

[OutsiderFan]

What is the current revenue split between owners and players in the NFL?  And what is it compared to the other major sports?

To me, the #1 thing the players need to push for is transparency from owners in terms of seeing the books of the NFL and the team owners. If players won't fall on their swords to gain this insight into league finances, they will always be at a disadvantage in negotiations.  I highly doubt Kevin Durant gives up $9 million per year if he isn't aware of Warriors team finances.  My guess is Lacob was transparent with Durant's camp about team finances, and that gave Durant the trust and comfort to give up what he could have made in the interest of the team.

It's hard to argue over what you should get when you don't know how much to split.

[stupac2]

What is the current revenue split between owners and players in the NFL?  And what is it compared to the other major sports?

To me, the #1 thing the players need to push for is transparency from owners in terms of seeing the books of the NFL and the team owners. If players won't fall on their swords to gain this insight into league finances, they will always be at a disadvantage in negotiations.  I highly doubt Kevin Durant gives up $9 million per year if he isn't aware of Warriors team finances.  My guess is Lacob was transparent with Durant's camp about team finances, and that gave Durant the trust and comfort to give up what he could have made in the interest of the team.

It's hard to argue over what you should get when you don't know how much to split.

IIRC it's 47%, but a whole heap of stuff doesn't count, like luxury box and PSL revenue. I believe other leagues are closer to 50-50.

[stupac2]

What is the current revenue split between owners and players in the NFL?  And what is it compared to the other major sports?

To me, the #1 thing the players need to push for is transparency from owners in terms of seeing the books of the NFL and the team owners. If players won't fall on their swords to gain this insight into league finances, they will always be at a disadvantage in negotiations.  I highly doubt Kevin Durant gives up $9 million per year if he isn't aware of Warriors team finances.  My guess is Lacob was transparent with Durant's camp about team finances, and that gave Durant the trust and comfort to give up what he could have made in the interest of the team.

It's hard to argue over what you should get when you don't know how much to split.

IIRC it's 47%, but a whole heap of stuff doesn't count, like luxury box and PSL revenue. I believe other leagues are closer to 50-50.