An interesting thought

by Rebecca Rollett on Apr 18, 2010 7:04 PM EDT

My husband, who is only interested in football as it affects me (and thus has learned not to make rude remarks about the team when they lose) mentioned Terry Bradshaw's comments about Ben, which he had actually read. The thing that struck him was Bradshaw's comment that back in the day the player's salaries were not sufficient to allow them to do quite so much stupid stuff. (I'm paraphrasing his paraphrase.)

This got my husband to thinking. He said that of course it isn't realistic to assume that the salaries could ever return to some "reasonable" level, but perhaps they could be deferred. In other words, the team would pay active players some sort of better-than-living wage, but the rest of their deal would go into a trust fund that they would receive only after they retire. (There would have to be some rule - three years, five years, whatever - about how soon they could change their mind and come back. No Brett Favre stunts...)

It's an interesting idea. It would prevent players from retiring with essentially no money. It would at least delay the handouts to newly-discovered friends and relations. And it would hopefully keep the players from having so much money to throw around that they were either a target or enabled to do really stupid stuff, for a while, anyhow. And if they haven't learned any better sense once they retire, it's their own problem, rather than that of their team and the NFL.

He made me promise to post this and see what you all think. I have to admit that it has attractive elements, although it seems inconceivable that it could ever get past all the various groups that wouldn't like it. So what do you all think? I'll pass your thoughts along, at least those that are printable... : ) And for those of you that like to keep it simple, here's a poll. I forgot to add an "other" option before I saved the poll, and can't seem to change that, so if your choice is "other" explain in the comments.

Poll

So what do you think?

This is without a doubt the stupidest idea I've ever heard

15 votes

It's an interesting thought, but it would never fly

65 votes

Hmm, I kind of like it

21 votes

Brilliant! How do I contact the NFL?

11 votes

112 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 43 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

the poll choices are too polar

by klompus on Apr 18, 2010 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

i would imagine that teams wouldnt want this as much as players wouldnt. the players union would be opposed to this for obvious reasons. but the front offices wouldnt like it because they could get caught in a situation where they have to pay someone who underachieved for years. teams like the redskins would be paying off debts to the albert haynesworths of the league for 50 years

by steel.curtain.number2 on Apr 18, 2010 8:07 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds like communism...

Sounds good, but it wouldn’t work.

" Just go and lay your hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and then I think you'll finally understand"

" In America" Charlie Daniels Band

by idiscgolftexas on Apr 18, 2010 8:43 PM EDT reply actions

Explain

Sounds like communism…

by Twell on Apr 18, 2010 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

What I meant was,

Communism as a theory was a great idea. It never worked as intended when practiced. I think this idea sounds great when discussing it as a theory, or a what if… I wouldn’t want to see this happen in real life. Again, discussing it here works just fine, as long as we acknowledge it’s all fantasy. These are grown men we are talking about, and although the jerk reaction might be to say this is a good idea, anything that takes decision making away because “it’s better for them”, doesn’t sit well with me.

" Just go and lay your hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and then I think you'll finally understand"

" In America" Charlie Daniels Band

by idiscgolftexas on Apr 18, 2010 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I meant "knee-jerk" reaction

" Just go and lay your hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and then I think you'll finally understand"

" In America" Charlie Daniels Band

by idiscgolftexas on Apr 18, 2010 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think it could be imposed unilaterally

I am certain the player association would have to go along with it. I can’t believe this could happen against the players’ wishes so it would not be something imposed on them.

And then we all woke up!

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Apr 18, 2010 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok, that makes sense then

I thought it was more of “sky is falling and its full of socialism” rheotric thats been bandied about lately.

But yeah, we can discuss the merits but can it translate into practice…..agreed

by Twell on Apr 19, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions

NO POLITICS OR POLITICAL THEORY

this is a football site. :-)

by IronJake on Apr 19, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

correct communism only works in theory

by steeler_in_maryland on Apr 18, 2010 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with that -

because communism takes too optimistic a view of human nature. But I disagree that my husband’s theory is communistic, if that’s what any of you all are saying – the idea isn’t to equally divide the wealth, just to defer it. But if you all are only saying that, like communism, it’s a nice idea but wouldn’t work, I pretty much agree.

"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Apr 18, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I think what he means is it would only work in theory

I don’t think he was calling it communistic

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"It's a great day to be a mountaineer, where ever you may be" Tony Caridi
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 18, 2010 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions

well if you read the manofesto by marx

marx tended to notice human greed will untimely cause the working class people to revolt against the ruling class. He was optimistic that people could work as a collective not to make profit but work to better knowledge for themselves. It is human nature to dominate smaller weaker people.

The more optimistic view would be capitialism with smith saying the invisable hand meaning us fans, coachs and owners will determine what a players value would be. Hence why we only got a 5th round for holmes. also proably the only reason BB is going to be staying with us.

by steeler_in_maryland on Apr 19, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

we need to be careful

I don’t want Momma’s post ending up deleted due to people mistaking this for a political site (I have been guilty of that in the past).

And then we all woke up!

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Apr 19, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

The post won't be deleted but the thread can be

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Apr 19, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I think

that a discussion of political theory in the abstract is different from commenting on current political figures/parties/policies. I think the reason for the prohibition is that current political figures/parties/policies get people really riled up for no good reason (football-wise, anyhow.) A discussion of political theory in the context of a discussion of something that is at least vaguely football related is presumably not a problem. I may be wrong about that, of course : )

"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Apr 19, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

You can say that again

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Apr 19, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

That again

And then we all woke up!

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Apr 19, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I bet it would be awesome if she did

The future is not what it used to be.

by John Stephens on Apr 19, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I am curious if this is the first political theory thread in all of SB Nation.

Another BTSC first? And who woulda figured yinzers for political theorists?

by SteelersVT on Apr 19, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I think

"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Apr 19, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Awesome

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Apr 19, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I always do what you suggest, Arn,

especially when my “post” button is acting up…

Cued up and ready for your reply, sir…

"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Apr 19, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

tada!

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Apr 19, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Told ya

The future is not what it used to be.

by John Stephens on Apr 19, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting thought, (Mr.) Momma. For my two cents I'd like to see these changes in the salary structure:

1. A rookie wage scale that brings the first-round salaries back to earth and makes them earn big money.

2. A stronger pension fund for both current and former players. When I think of Mike Webster it makes me sick to my stomach. No way the league shouldn’t give back more to the guys who paved the way for them to earn millions.

"There is no truth but in transit." R.W. Emerson

by cliff harris is still a punk! on Apr 18, 2010 8:52 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Agree with both of your points.

To try and then fail, is not unacceptable, but failing to try, is accepting failure.

by alfresco on Apr 18, 2010 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely

excellent ideas

by Twell on Apr 18, 2010 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I think both would be passed by the players if it was put in this CBA

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 18, 2010 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree with everything except

I think her husband should be Daddy or Poppa, not Mr. Momma. Or maybe we should ask him.

I think you’ve hit on a good middle ground. Improve the healthcare and pensions and especially make more players (with less service) eligible for those things, and pay for it with some of the money that they’re giving to rookies that haven’t done anything yet.

From what I understand the major roadblock to all of this is the agents, as they are the ones that stand to lose the most if the money shifts away from the rookies.

"The color of truth is gray."
McGeorge Bundy
former national security advisor

by Blount Trauma on Apr 18, 2010 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

it would be Dr. Momma…

"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Apr 18, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

And you're right about the agents.

I’ve been reading some books about the draft, and it is very enlightening. As in “follow the money…”

"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Apr 18, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

But I would feel bad for the players who would like to do good things for their family who could really use the support, once they hit the ‘lottery’. Buy their mom a house, that kind of thing.

One alternate plan could have the deferral, but have ways that players can qualify for early access. By taking classes in Wealth mgmt., gender issues, and then community service activities and being socially engaged. Every year they could qualify for access to more.
But I don’t think you will ever get the players union to even consider this.

by Twell on Apr 18, 2010 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

Good thoughts

I think the league does do some of this stuff at rookie orientation. But more should definitely be done. Especially when so many of these kids grow up with nothing and then suddenly find themselves millionaires. How do you manage money when you’ve never had it? The league has done a great job of marketing and investing in itself to allow those who already have money (aka the owners) to make more. Now I’d like to see it invest more into its best resource — the players.

"There is no truth but in transit." R.W. Emerson

by cliff harris is still a punk! on Apr 18, 2010 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly.

I don’t actually think that this idea has a snowball’s chance in hell, but it would be nice to think that something more could be done to help them deal with the dizzying effects of the sudden influx of a lot of money and fame…

"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Apr 18, 2010 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah you're right, they do

There was a good article in the Pitt Trib Rev. talking about all sorts of programs and initiatives, and talking about Terry B making off season cash guiding fishing, selling used cars, etc. “Steelers’ off-field woes attributed to ‘entitlement’ jock culture”

by Twell on Apr 19, 2010 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions

That's the article Dr. Momma read

that started him thinking in the first place. Great read. I would definitely agree that one of the major problems with big money is that they have too much time on their hands.

"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Apr 19, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought it might be

by Twell on Apr 19, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

Could calm alot of the Primma Donna arrogance and big headedness of the players today

by Loftus Roadrunner on Apr 19, 2010 5:33 AM EDT reply actions

It's called Deferred Compensation

Many executives with far smaller salaries than a star football player have deferred comp agreements. It gives you some comfort that your future income will stay at levels that you are used to.

by Norcal_Roxy on Apr 19, 2010 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

rollett

Reading your thread it seems you are trying to say that the NFL should hold out paying some of the income of the player till they retire.

Two points…what if it is a long career say 15 years?

What if said player gets run over by a pie wagon a day after he retires?

Seriously it would be very likely….

I guess the long and the short of it is these are grown men and you cant hold a mans wages against his potentially being stupid. Most athletes get financial assistants to run their lives and invest in the future.

Think of it like pacman …..how many athletes get drafted? how many screw up like pacman did?

less than one percent id guess…..

Ben is INNOCENT!

by Hi5Steeler on Apr 19, 2010 4:25 PM EDT reply actions