Here's a link to a nice article on the NFL labor situation.
NFL labor Q & A: Is the league really in danger of a lockout? - USATODAY.com
It says an 18% pay cut is probably a bit high, but in the ball park.
A few facts I found:
- Minimum salary in 2010 is $310,000
- Median NFL salary in 2009 (half of the players above and half below) was $770,000
- Average NFL salary in 2006 was $1.4 million
Assuming 18% is accurate and if the pay cut were spread evenly, the minimum would be $254K and the median would be in the $630K range.
So, if the owners were unwilling to budge the players would have to decide whether they were willing to play for these salaries or they would be locked out by the owners.
There are a few other things to consider:
- fans don't like paying full price for exhibition games (I don't blame them). Team profits are low, so owners don't want to lower the price. one of the possibilities is to convert two exhibition games to regular season games. but, many players don't like this idea due to the wear and tear on their bodies
- owner's aren't making sufficient return on their investment and players want to keep the status quo. so, that means revenue would have to increase. here are a few ideas:
1) raise ticket prices
2) raise the price of nfl sunday ticket
3) make the nfl a pay per view league. Put everything on cable.
4) increase the prices on nfl merchandise
5) add additional games to the schedule
The problem that football has that other sports do not have is:
1) the sport is so tough on players bodies and that they can't play more than one game per week. Basketball and hockey play ~ 3 times per week and baseball plays 6 times per week.
2) there are more players on a football team (more mouths to feed) than in any other sport - baseball rosters are 25 players, basketball 15, football 53.
Corollary: If your child is a multi-sport athlete elite athlete, basketball and baseball are both much better professional career options than football. Longer careers and higher pay (but fewer available jobs).