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View Full Version : OT: National fan association....


Jarv
04-07-2005, 11:45 AM
You know, reading the TO thread about wanting more money made me think. The NFL has the owners as a committee, the refs have their own association, there is the NFLPA (players association)...

But who represents us, the fans ?

The salary cap goes up every due to increased TV contracts, one of the big ones from DirectTV, I know my bill has gone up for DirectTV every year, paid for by the fans.

Ticket prices go up every year, guess who pays that ? How about merchandise cost ? Again us.

When a guy like TO wants more money, who pays for it ??? Us !

Now the NFLPA negoiates with the NFL and the teams on the collective barganing agreement, who has no say in these talks ? Us fans.

What if we had our own organization ? We pay all of the bills in the long run. With the virtual world of the internet we could really make our voices heard.

If we were all united, we could legally ask all of our members (every single NFL fan) to boycott anything that increases our cost to watch and enjoy football.

For example, we could boycott buying the merchandise of every player who has Rosenhaus or the Potsons as an agent. We could boycott advertisers on DirectTV (while still watching DirectTV) unless they change some of their policies. I have has DirectTV for years, just for Football's NFL ticket, now I have to buy a DirectTV package, just to get the NFL ticket.

Revenue sharing between the players and the teams, we could ask for a cut...after all, it is our money. Lower the cap and lower ticket prices, or we strategically boycott advertisers (except budweiser of course) who fund the TV contracts.

We could have the loudest voice in football is we banded together to protest us having to pay the higher salaries these players get, higher ticket and TV prices we pay...to watch a sport the we used to be able to afford to see live and watch for free in the 70's.

I'm sure there are many other ways that you guys could think of how we could leverage our buying power to bring down our prices to enjoy the game we love to see.

I just joined the local Chamber here in my area. As a small business owner one of the 1st advantages I saw was the medical insurance. because I am part of a larger organization via the Chamber, my cost have been cut dramtically. Power in numbers.

So, if there is anything we as fans want changed in the NFL, we should start the NFL fan association and use the combined power of our spending money via advertisers/merchandising...etc. to let our voice be heard.

Sorry about the off topic thread here on the main board, just thought it would get more traffic here.

Love to hear what you guys think...Elections over the internet and donations via paypal or something could make this thing grow like wildfire.

Finally, let the fans voice be heard...and not just in a mis mash of yelling but united with a strng single message that is heard loud and clear buy the NFL, NFLPA and the owners.

What do you think ?

Everlastingxxx
04-07-2005, 11:50 AM
:moonbart:

Jarv
04-07-2005, 11:56 AM
:moonbart:

Ok, I take it your out !...lol

jksmith269
04-07-2005, 12:01 PM
Good idea tooo bad it would never work but if it could I'd sign up.....

Jarv
04-07-2005, 12:12 PM
Good idea tooo bad it would never work but if it could I'd sign up.....

maybe it could work tho...Maybe a subsidiary of this...

http://www.sportsfansofamerica.com/

Everlastingxxx
04-07-2005, 12:19 PM
Jarv start a petition that could be signed.

TheHustler
04-07-2005, 12:20 PM
yeah, never gonna happen. maybe we can get them to play for free....

Crown Royal
04-07-2005, 12:21 PM
Ludicrous. Your money is your say.

Jarv
04-07-2005, 12:22 PM
Looks like my idea is not an original one...i found this website, which I've just quickly browsed through. I guess I'll join that association and see where that leads me. Maybe I'll drop an update here now and then.

Here is the link, if anyone is interested in signing up also.

http://www.sportsfansofamerica.com/

Here is a blurb...

Why Should “You” Join The Revolution in Sports Today?

By joining our association, you’re adding your voice to an organization dedicated to providing a proactive forum for sports fans everywhere. SFAA will address issues from the fans’ point of view. SFAA provides an advocacy voice on behalf of its members so that Fans can influence what happens to their favorite teams. Your ideas and comments give us the fuel to take on the big issues, whether it’s targeted at team owners, players, associations and unions; sports writers and media; and in some cases, the league commissioners and officials themselves. One person can raise a concern, but COLLECTIVELY WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Count Me In!

Our Goal is to "Improve the Quality of Sports from a Fan's Perspective". Addressing issues at the national and local levels such as: affordable ticket prices, quality of service to fans at sporting events, accountability of quality officiating, fan representation at the bargaining table, etc. Our Mission is to promote the "Value of the Fan". 1) Provide sports fans with a representative organization of their needs and desires to the sports leagues and associations, 2) Establish a multi-million fan membership base and sports fan network through the internet, and 3) Offer sports products and services at discounted rates to its membership.

harish
04-07-2005, 12:32 PM
I think what you are advocating is some sort of consumer's union for football. I am not sure the idea of unions are all too popular in much of the country, especially for a fanbase in Texas. I don't see many Cowboys fans as the type to only purchase a specific jersey because they are told it is "tuna-safe" or whatever (insert Parcells joke). Inevitably unions will alienate casual fans, produce resentment about how boycotts are applied, and deal with "scab" fans. Historically consumer unions and boycotts perform poorly.

DallasEast
04-07-2005, 12:36 PM
...logistically, it would be a nightmare to organize. Some of the hurdles to be defeated are:

1. Projecting a membership level sufficient enough to influence NFL, media, governmental, etc., operations. The NFL has a fanbase well into the tens of millions (and that's a conservative estimate, imo). Too small a voting block would be laughed at by the powers that be.

2. How would the organization be kept solvent? Even some non-profits of this nature ask for membership dues. Charitiable contributions? A combination of both? How would the organization's lobbyists be compensated?

3. Which method of communication would interlink the membership? Conferences? Internet?

Etc., etc. Still, I believe that it would be a great idea to give the common fan equal representation. I certainly feel gypped after I've paid my DirecTV bill... only to find out that my game is blacked out in favor of a [censored] Saints broadcast! :mad: THAT'S IT!!! Where do I sign up? ;)

ROMOSAPIEN9
04-07-2005, 12:39 PM
For he's got..HIIIGH HOPES,
Yes he's got...HIIIGH HOPES,
High apple pie in the SKYYYYY Hopes!

Sorry dude. I just don't see it ever happening. Like DallasEast basically said. The logistics of it all are practically impossible.