NFL CBA, Coaches, Players and Money: Implications for NO?

xan · 01-30-2006, 12:50 PM

I've been somewhat uneasy of late thinking about the overall direction of the NFL. There are several issues that keep leaping out and I'm curious how you all think about them relative to the Saints and its future in New Orleans.

1) Revenue Sharing. Owners in high density cities vs. owners in small markets. How much of the total revenues do the owners share with the players? TV contracts are shorter now and I think the big ones are up soon. Add that the NFL is launching its own network with an eye to PPV, what will this mean for small markets like New Orleans?

Benson's looking for more money. He wants to move the team if NO isn't viable (definition of viable is under seige). With an uncertain future, how does he vote on these issues? There probably won't be a lateral, but with LA looming in the horizon, does he think he'll be there and does he vote to not distribute the NFL funds more equally? Does how he vote tell us about the future of the Saints in NO?

2) CBA. It's about 57% now and the players want 65% with more of the streams counted. Where do coaches fit in? The pie is only so big and these are some greedy pigs.

How does Benson vote here?? Are there clues? His hiring of Payton and some relatively unknown assistants are an indication that money's tight and he's not paying much to this staff. He could have hired proven talent to back up Payton, but they would have cost some money (Henderson as DC, e.g.).

Winning vs Marketing

If NO is to prove itself, it's going to have to show it can support a team. All evidence shows that fans will support a winner. However, the evidence is not as convincing for a loser with a few elite athletes.

3) The Draft. Top 5 picks usually mean top dollar for unproven talent. Money being tight, does Benson instruct Loomis to trade down to save money? Landing Bush/Leinart/Young would lead to a greater marketing potential, but will any of these guys improve the number of wins? How many seats will these guys sell? How much merchandise will they push?

4) Free Agency. In about a month or so, there's going to be a lot of roster activity. Not only will Loomis have to make some decisions on players like Bentley and Brooks, but there's far too many players on the roster who'd be better served (or better serving) working for the BK Lounge. How much of a makeover to make? The more new faces, the lower percentage chance of winning. Combine that with a new coaching staff and the winning prospects become less clear. High profile free agents carry a high price tag and, at least in the Saints case, don't work out too often. But they do add to the marketing.

5) Marketing. After what went on last season and the fairly unimpressive involvement in leadership since the decision to "return," what is the unifying message to the fan base? Will the fan base be simply captivated by a "Moses" figure (Bush/Leinart/Young) thrust into the fans' consciousness as the only message? Do we want more? Will it matter what the message is?

6) Winning. The Jets, the Giants, GB and the Redskins are all sold out for the next 30 years and could field losing teams without a drop in ticket sales. Are they really NO's measuring stick? If one assumes that the Saints will not make the playoffs again next season (reasonable considering the schedule, the division, the new coaching staff and the prospect of significant player turnover) and corresponding attendance dwindles in anticipation, what does that say about New Orleans?

cardboardboxer · 01-31-2006, 08:53 PM

Wow. That is a very interesting post. Thanks for sharing that. I like the part about a Moses- I would get behind a large free agent pick more mentally.

xan · 02-01-2006, 07:23 AM

Thanks CBB. Moses had it easy compared to what L/B/Y will face this season.

I'm very surprised that the NFL kicked in $20 large to the Superdome repiar effort. That's an unusual gesture and could be interpreted as a commitment beyond the 2006 season. I wonder what the State will do with that money? Will they upgrade further the facility? Or will they do what all good Louisiana politicians do and pocket 90% of it and give the rest to their friends as "consulting fees?"

01-30-2006, 12:50 PM	#1
xan Professor Crab and Site Donor 2014 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Princeton Posts: 3,368 Blog Entries: 34	NFL CBA, Coaches, Players and Money: Implications for NO? I've been somewhat uneasy of late thinking about the overall direction of the NFL. There are several issues that keep leaping out and I'm curious how you all think about them relative to the Saints and its future in New Orleans. 1) Revenue Sharing. Owners in high density cities vs. owners in small markets. How much of the total revenues do the owners share with the players? TV contracts are shorter now and I think the big ones are up soon. Add that the NFL is launching its own network with an eye to PPV, what will this mean for small markets like New Orleans? Benson's looking for more money. He wants to move the team if NO isn't viable (definition of viable is under seige). With an uncertain future, how does he vote on these issues? There probably won't be a lateral, but with LA looming in the horizon, does he think he'll be there and does he vote to not distribute the NFL funds more equally? Does how he vote tell us about the future of the Saints in NO? 2) CBA. It's about 57% now and the players want 65% with more of the streams counted. Where do coaches fit in? The pie is only so big and these are some greedy pigs. How does Benson vote here?? Are there clues? His hiring of Payton and some relatively unknown assistants are an indication that money's tight and he's not paying much to this staff. He could have hired proven talent to back up Payton, but they would have cost some money (Henderson as DC, e.g.). Winning vs Marketing If NO is to prove itself, it's going to have to show it can support a team. All evidence shows that fans will support a winner. However, the evidence is not as convincing for a loser with a few elite athletes. 3) The Draft. Top 5 picks usually mean top dollar for unproven talent. Money being tight, does Benson instruct Loomis to trade down to save money? Landing Bush/Leinart/Young would lead to a greater marketing potential, but will any of these guys improve the number of wins? How many seats will these guys sell? How much merchandise will they push? 4) Free Agency. In about a month or so, there's going to be a lot of roster activity. Not only will Loomis have to make some decisions on players like Bentley and Brooks, but there's far too many players on the roster who'd be better served (or better serving) working for the BK Lounge. How much of a makeover to make? The more new faces, the lower percentage chance of winning. Combine that with a new coaching staff and the winning prospects become less clear. High profile free agents carry a high price tag and, at least in the Saints case, don't work out too often. But they do add to the marketing. 5) Marketing. After what went on last season and the fairly unimpressive involvement in leadership since the decision to "return," what is the unifying message to the fan base? Will the fan base be simply captivated by a "Moses" figure (Bush/Leinart/Young) thrust into the fans' consciousness as the only message? Do we want more? Will it matter what the message is? 6) Winning. The Jets, the Giants, GB and the Redskins are all sold out for the next 30 years and could field losing teams without a drop in ticket sales. Are they really NO's measuring stick? If one assumes that the Saints will not make the playoffs again next season (reasonable considering the schedule, the division, the new coaching staff and the prospect of significant player turnover) and corresponding attendance dwindles in anticipation, what does that say about New Orleans?

01-31-2006, 08:53 PM	#2
cardboardboxer Registered Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 65	Wow. That is a very interesting post. Thanks for sharing that. I like the part about a Moses- I would get behind a large free agent pick more mentally.
cardboardboxer Registered Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 65

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02-01-2006, 07:23 AM	#3
xan Professor Crab and Site Donor 2014 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Princeton Posts: 3,368 Blog Entries: 34	Thanks CBB. Moses had it easy compared to what L/B/Y will face this season. I'm very surprised that the NFL kicked in $20 large to the Superdome repiar effort. That's an unusual gesture and could be interpreted as a commitment beyond the 2006 season. I wonder what the State will do with that money? Will they upgrade further the facility? Or will they do what all good Louisiana politicians do and pocket 90% of it and give the rest to their friends as "consulting fees?"