Will Gene Upshaw’s death lead to an NFL shutdown in 2011?
The NFL Players Association executive director died Thursday of cancer. Diagnosed just four days earlier, there was no time for a leadership change to take over labor talks. With NFL owners seemingly poised to lock out players, the union needs a quick transition to avoid a coming showdown.
Upshaw was a great union leader, escalating player salaries to 60 percent of revenues. There are a lot of rich players who owe their mansions to Upshaw.
Talking tough and acting tougher, Upshaw did what was best for his members. Retired players should have been treated better, but Upshaw’s legacy is as golden as his Hall of Fame induction as an Oakland Raiders guard.
Upshaw’s refusal to appoint a successor earlier this year that nearly caused a rebellion by player reps leaves the NFLPA without a clear plan less than two years before a needed deal to prevent labor strife in 2011. If that seems like a long time off, let’s just say it will melt away faster than the polar icecaps.
The NFL is headed for no salary cap in 2010 and not playing at all in 2011 under poison-pill clauses in the collective bargaining agreement. Before you say, “Great, Redskins owner Dan Snyder will outspend everyone to buy a Super Bowl,” remember two things. First, he’s tried it before. Money doesn’t buy titles in the NFL. Second, that money comes from fans through higher ticket, parking and concession prices. Left unchecked, Snyder will raise his war chest by escalating prices until everyday fans can no longer afford good seats. You’ll be singing “Hail to the Redskins” from your living room.
The NFLPA appointed general counsel Richard Berthelsen to replace Upshaw until a successor is named, hopefully by the union’s annual meetings in March. Berthelsen is an excellent choice — a very fair, honest and smart person who would make an superb permanent successor. However, he reportedly doesn’t want the job permanently.
Already, former Redskins safety Troy Vincent is considered a frontrunner. He made a power play last spring before his term as union president expired only to be forced to the background by Upshaw. Having covered Vincent in the Redskins locker room, I can say he has the smarts for the job. The question is whether he has the political smarts after failing to unseat Upshaw.
Former Minnesota running back Robert Smith and one-time union president Trace Armstrong are being discussed. Tom Condron, one of the top agents and a former player, and Doug Allen, a former union leader who’s now executive director of the Screen Actors Guild, are also options.
It’s not often working Joes care who represents rich people. However, if you want to keep watching the NFL, hope the union picks the right person or 2011 is all about college football.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
