Comments on: Let’s Get Political! A Fan’s Call to Arms http://phinphanatic.com/2010/02/08/lets-get-political-a-fans-call-to-arms/ A Miami Dolphins blog Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:14:36 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Patrik Nohe http://phinphanatic.com/2010/02/08/lets-get-political-a-fans-call-to-arms/comment-page-1/#comment-4356 Patrik Nohe Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:11:12 +0000 http://phinphanatic.com/?p=5075#comment-4356 I think one of the best ways to do that is to knock out any federal or state financial support that the league gets. Right now the NFL loves building new stadiums and the idea of expansion because it means they can be even more profitable. Hell, Roger Goodell sniped at the city of Miami and the Dolphins while he was here that we needed to improve our facilities if we wanted to keep hosting the Superbowl (this after a 250 million dollar facelift in 2007). The majority of these stadiums and these renovations seek taxpayer contributions in order to get financing. If we could apply government pressure that threatens to take away any public funding for new stadium ventures or league expansion then the NFL would start paying attention immediately. Owners don't want to front those expenses that directly hurts their bottom line. Additionally, and I need to do some research on this, but there may be additional benefits given to the league by the government. For instance I know that there are certain ways in which Major League Baseball violates laws against having a monopoly, except for the fact they are technically protected under some older bill (which incidentally also affords the same luxuries to the insurance industry in our country). There may be other ways the NFL gets away with illegalities or receives benefits from the government, maybe tax exemptions or something along those lines, I'll try to do a little research and find out. But at any rate, applying pressure by threatening to take away public funding and government benefits would certainly get their attention. Politicians do respond to the prospect of losing votes, having worked in the Florida state capitol for the last few years I can honestly tell you that it's surprising how little it takes to get something mentioned on the floor of one of the houses. If enough widespread national pressure comes in, it can at least be mentioned. And what do you have to lose in writing your congressmen? Nothing really, 20 minutes of your time. As much as I think the widespread cancellation of season tickets would also send a message, you also stand to lose a lot more. Your season tickets. All I'm saying is whether you think it'll work or not, why not just try. What do we have to lose? I think one of the best ways to do that is to knock out any federal or state financial support that the league gets. Right now the NFL loves building new stadiums and the idea of expansion because it means they can be even more profitable. Hell, Roger Goodell sniped at the city of Miami and the Dolphins while he was here that we needed to improve our facilities if we wanted to keep hosting the Superbowl (this after a 250 million dollar facelift in 2007). The majority of these stadiums and these renovations seek taxpayer contributions in order to get financing. If we could apply government pressure that threatens to take away any public funding for new stadium ventures or league expansion then the NFL would start paying attention immediately. Owners don’t want to front those expenses that directly hurts their bottom line.

Additionally, and I need to do some research on this, but there may be additional benefits given to the league by the government. For instance I know that there are certain ways in which Major League Baseball violates laws against having a monopoly, except for the fact they are technically protected under some older bill (which incidentally also affords the same luxuries to the insurance industry in our country). There may be other ways the NFL gets away with illegalities or receives benefits from the government, maybe tax exemptions or something along those lines, I’ll try to do a little research and find out. But at any rate, applying pressure by threatening to take away public funding and government benefits would certainly get their attention.

Politicians do respond to the prospect of losing votes, having worked in the Florida state capitol for the last few years I can honestly tell you that it’s surprising how little it takes to get something mentioned on the floor of one of the houses. If enough widespread national pressure comes in, it can at least be mentioned. And what do you have to lose in writing your congressmen? Nothing really, 20 minutes of your time. As much as I think the widespread cancellation of season tickets would also send a message, you also stand to lose a lot more. Your season tickets. All I’m saying is whether you think it’ll work or not, why not just try. What do we have to lose?

]]> By: Joey http://phinphanatic.com/2010/02/08/lets-get-political-a-fans-call-to-arms/comment-page-1/#comment-4355 Joey Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:56:56 +0000 http://phinphanatic.com/?p=5075#comment-4355 As for contacting politicians, they (both sides) cannot even fix what they are doing in their normal jobs. Why ask them to interfere with the NFL. They may do good if you can put together a lobby group that will pay off a few to get something done. As for contacting politicians, they (both sides) cannot even fix what they are doing in their normal jobs. Why ask them to interfere with the NFL. They may do good if you can put together a lobby group that will pay off a few to get something done.

]]> By: Joey http://phinphanatic.com/2010/02/08/lets-get-political-a-fans-call-to-arms/comment-page-1/#comment-4354 Joey Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:45:20 +0000 http://phinphanatic.com/?p=5075#comment-4354 The only way to get our point across is to hit them (the NFL)in the pocket book early. To do this, we need to go further than cancelling season tickets. All tickets should be returned for refund both season and single game tickets. Subscriptions to Sunday Ticket need to be cancelled and NFL merchandise needs to stop being bought. It will take "ALL" NFL fans to do this starting yesterday. Once the revenue stops coming in and the owners still have to meet payroll, they will get serious. How would the NFL feel if there was an empty arena at the NFL Draft. Do you think that they would take notice? I do. I feel however that this will not work because there are always some people that would not abide by what needs to get done in order to get our point across. We just need to temporarily stop supporting the sport that we all love for the greater good of the league. The only way to get our point across is to hit them (the NFL)in the pocket book early. To do this, we need to go further than cancelling season tickets. All tickets should be returned for refund both season and single game tickets. Subscriptions to Sunday Ticket need to be cancelled and NFL merchandise needs to stop being bought. It will take “ALL” NFL fans to do this starting yesterday. Once the revenue stops coming in and the owners still have to meet payroll, they will get serious. How would the NFL feel if there was an empty arena at the NFL Draft. Do you think that they would take notice? I do. I feel however that this will not work because there are always some people that would not abide by what needs to get done in order to get our point across. We just need to temporarily stop supporting the sport that we all love for the greater good of the league.

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