League office pulls Jedi move on refs

[spacedoodoopistol]

Anyone follow the story the past few days where Goodell came out and said the refs threatened a strike because their raise demands weren't being met? The next day the refs' spokesman claimed they had done nothing of the sort, and had in fact instructed all refs to be ready to work the season no matter how negotiations went.

Stunningly smart move from the league office, if also shameless and deceitful. They got out in front of the story and made the refs look like the greedy bad guys for threatening strike if their demands aren't met. Reading around the web, its crazy how many people take the initial story as gospel....so when the refs deny it, people assume its just a cowardly backtrack.

Then if you get into the details, its just more propaganda from the league. The refs are claiming that the NFL is going to stop pension plan for any future refs.....so how does the league office respond? They said something to the effect of "the current refs will have no reduction in benefits"....well that wasn't the accusation, was it? It was very similar with the other issues raised. Constant spin, and because the public in general hates unions so much, people take the NFL's word.

The NFL have the media to broadcast their message, they are smarter, and the refs will end up on their knees here.

 

[NinerSickness]

The refs are claiming that the NFL is going to stop pension plan for any future refs.....

Good! They should! Pensions should be illegal. They're the most irresponsible thing any company or government can promise. They're potentially writing into their budget a line item for the year 2050. That's downright stupid! Let 'em have a 401K like regular people.

...And this is coming from a guy who'll probably be one of many people in CA who'll end up sucking the private sector dry with a public employee pension for decades.

 

[NinerSickness]

Oh by the way, I think as of a few years ago NFL referees made an average of $70,000 per year (34K to 120K based on experience). And they don't work all year.

 

[-Bemular]

Good! They should! Pensions should be illegal. They're the most irresponsible thing any company or government can promise. They're potentially writing into their budget a line item for the year 2050. That's downright stupid! Let 'em have a 401K like regular people.

...And this is coming from a guy who'll probably be one of many people in CA who'll end up sucking the private sector dry with a public employee pension for decades.

Huh? Sick, most (again most) pensions would be/could be, if managed correctly, a huge win/win for both employer and employee - mostly for the employer. Put in its most simplistic terms, pensions are tantamount to deferred income.

 

[luckyluke22]

I like how this went from controlling the media and public perception to pension plans. Should we move to welfare and social security?

I think Goodell learned from the lockout just how strong the media and the public reaction can be, as well as how to use it as leverage