"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…"
On the heels of the most watched Super Bowl, nay, television show, in U.S. history, the focus has now turned from the playing field to the negotiating table, with the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) discussing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Fantasy football enthusiasts know what's at stake. Certainly such issues as revenue sharing, pension benefits, deciding whether or not to create a rookie salary cap or add two regular season games are important. However, the most significant issue is whether or not there will be a season at all next year and how the potential lockout might impact fantasy football owners.
"…it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…"
For those of us who play rotisserie baseball, there is at least that distraction. But, if you're reading this blog then you know there is no such thing as an off-season in fantasy football, and you have to be just a bit concerned. After all, there have been lockouts in MLB, the NBA and the NHL. The latter resulted in the cancellation of the entire 2004-2005 season.
Even if the 2011 season isn't cancelled we could see a repeat of 1987, when the NFL used replacement players during the short-lived players' strike. No one wants that, but the NFL generates billions and billions of dollars in revenue and the decision of owners to put a product, even a sub-standard product, on the field is motivated by a legitimate business reason.
"…it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…"
If the NFL and the NFLPA can't reach an agreement this week when the current CBA expires, no one wins and fantasy football owners (and NFL fans) are the ultimate losers. So what does this all mean for fantasy football owners?
You're already looking at a third-and-long situation if you did not consider the possibility of a 2011 lockout during your 2010 season, especially as it relates keeper/dynasty leagues, player ages, trades, and free-agency. Regardless of the encouraging news we may be hearing lately, the 2011 season is very much in jeopardy.
Your league commissioner should consider the possibilities of a prolonged stoppage and the effects on rosters and your free agent market. You may want to consider freezing rosters until a new CBA is in place, and you should prepare for a greater degree of player movement once a new agreement is reached.
"…it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness…"
On one hand, both the NFL and the NFLPA have to realize what is at stake and avoid cutting of their respective noses to spite their faces. On the other hand we have two very stubborn entities, joined at the hip by our true national pastime. In the end, it all comes down to money… and lots of it.
Whether you are a casual NFL fan or a die-hard fantasy football owner, any NFL stoppage is a hard pill to swallow. Much of the appeal of the fantasy football is that it is a year-long obsession packed with events such as the NFL Combine, Rookie Draft, OTAs, training camp, and the preseason, all leading up to meaningful games.
"…it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…"
The thought of going without, if even for a few weeks, is not a pleasant one. How will your league handle a partial or full-year lockout with respect to the rookie pool and draft picks? Do you treat those weeks as if teams are on a bye? Will your league place an asterisk next to your championship team's name on the trophy? Will you have to spend more time with the wife and kids?
We can only hope that the two sides come to some sort of agreement soon. Even if the owners elect not to lock out the players for the upcoming season, the NFLPA may determine that a strike is necessary. Should that happen, the 2011 season could easily become a modern-day 1987.
"…we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…"
I am not a religious man (except when my kicker lines up for a field goal or my runningback has a first-and-goal from the one yard line), but I pray that the NFL owners and NFLPA representatives recognize what is at stake and come to their senses soon. Until then, we always have rotisserie baseball.