U.S. Sen. Rockefeller WaPo Op Ed Asks NFL to Open Books

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nflplayers.com/Articles/CBA-News/US-Sen-Rockefeller-WaPo-Op-Ed-Asks-NFL-to-Open-Books/

{ "The only way to sort out this stalemate is for the owners and the league to answer the biggest sticking point: money." }

Author: Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Special to the Washington Post Posted: 2/25/2011

U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat from West Virginia, is chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. He wrote an Op-Ed special to the Washinton Post discussing the ongoing NFL labor negotiations. It was originally published Friday, Feb. 25, 2011.


As chairman of the Senate committee that is charged with overseeing sports and communications issues, my approach up to this point has been deliberately hands-off.

Aside from conversations in recent months on the status of negotiations, I have kept our committee from stepping into the debate between the two sides.

I had hoped that the competitive environment and obvious high stakes could bring the two sides together. I had hoped that the owners and players could find a way to satisfactorily divide up what amounts to a $9 billion pie.

Reluctantly, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to sort out this stalemate is for the owners and the league to answer the biggest sticking point: money.

What I'd like to see from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the owners is a simple display of good faith: Show the union your books. Don't keep secrets. If there are financial pressures that keep you from agreeing to the revenue-sharing plan proposed by the players, let's see the proof.


Click here to visit the Washington Post website and read the full Op Ed: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/24/AR2011022406519.html

[xchrom]

1. open the books. nt