Lance Allan: Sports Glance with Lance
NO CAP MEANS DOOM FOR PACK?
APPARENTLY MARK MURPHY MORE POSITIVE THAN ME
It's not too strong of a statement to say that the salary cap saved football in Green Bay as we know it.
It made the Packers competitive year after year, almost every year from 1992-present as the team was rebuilt around Brett Favre.
And now thank goodness for the Packers having $125 million in cash reserves, with a renovated stadium keeping the team around the top 10 in NFL income.
And come to think of it, doesn't everyone point to the NFL as the best system in pro sports, with a cap keeping costs down, and leveling the playing field?
So then why are the powers that be willing to screw it all up?
Because with the NFL opting out of the current collective bargaining agreement, Packers President Mark Murphy is a lot more positive about the cap biting the dust than I am.
Right now, the agreement will keep things the same the next 2 years. Right now, there would be no salary cap in 2010, and the possibility of a lockout in 2011.
Apparently from the other owners, Murphy is getting some type of assurance that this is ok...since he and the other 31 owners all voted unanimously to opt out of the current deal. And in a conference call with Wisconsin media, Murphy insists that the current deal isn't working as well as what teams would like, yet he hopes it won't get to the point of no salary cap.
It's interesting that the new leader of the Pack, Aaron Rodgers has his contract run out before the 2010 season...the first "uncapped" year. Ryan Grant and Greg Jennings do as well, but right now they won't become free agents because the current deal states you can't become a free agent until after your 6th year. Rodgers and friends will have 5 or less, so it's unclear as to what will happen in 2010. The owners are banking on the players wanting money, and coming to a settlement before that time.
The Packers made a $22 million profit in 2006-2007. They might need more than that to stay competitive in the future.
Is anyone else as worried about this as I am? E-mails at lallan@todaystmj4.com
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