Title: NFL’s Dominance Continues as Monday Night Football Outshines NBA on Christmas
Subtitle: The NFL’s Ruthless Business Tactics and Players’ Quest for Guaranteed Money
Heading 2: Monday Night Football Breaks Viewership Records on Cable Network
Heading 3: NBA Takes a Backseat to Football on Christmas Day
In a surprising turn of events, “Monday Night Football” garnered its highest viewership since its transition to cable television 17 years ago. Unfortunately for the NBA, the league’s showcase games on Christmas Day were overshadowed by three football matchups and their pregame shows, including a highly anticipated Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics showdown.
Heading 2: NFL’s Thrilling Season Keeps Fans Glued to Their Screens
Heading 3: High Stakes and Intense Competition Drive NFL’s Popularity
With several divisional titles still up for grabs and numerous teams vying for playoff spots, this weekend’s NFL games offer a thrilling spectacle for fans. Even the NFC South, often referred to as the “toilet water” of the league, has three representatives with something to play for. The NFL’s ability to captivate audiences and generate high ratings ensures that it will surpass its 2022 national revenue of $11.98 billion, which is shared among all 32 teams.
Heading 2: The NFL’s Unparalleled Success
Heading 3: A League Driven by Lucrative Deals and Ruthlessness
No other sports league has achieved the level of financial success that the NFL enjoys. However, this success comes at a price, as the league’s owners have shown a ruthless side in their dealings with players. The recent incident involving the Denver Broncos threatening to bench starting quarterback Russell Wilson if he didn’t adjust his contract highlights the cutthroat nature of the business. Similarly, the Indianapolis Colts granted a meeting to linebacker Shaquille Leonard, only to inform him the next day that he was being waived. These actions demonstrate the conniving, calculating, and conspiratorial behavior of NFL team owners, who are reluctant to offer guaranteed money to players.
Heading 2: Players’ Quest for Guaranteed Money
Heading 3: The Disposability of NFL Players and Owners’ Reluctance
The treatment of players in the NFL and the collusion among team owners make watching the games a dispiriting experience. The disposability of players, coupled with owners’ loyalty to their billionaire peers rather than their pursuit of competitiveness, raises concerns about the league’s ethics. In an era where we strive for progress and equality, it is disheartening to witness the objectification of women in beauty contests. Similarly, the NFL’s treatment of its players should give us pause, yet the league continues to captivate our attention.
Heading 2: Broncos’ Treatment of Russell Wilson Raises Eyebrows
Heading 3: Buyer’s Remorse and Dirty Tricks
The Denver Broncos’ decision to threaten benching Russell Wilson, their once-franchise quarterback, showcases the team’s regret over their previous contract extension offer. Instead of releasing Wilson and accepting the financial consequences, the team resorted to underhanded tactics to protect their financial interests. This move was deemed illegal and a violation of the league’s collective bargaining agreement by the NFL Players Association. The incident serves as a stark reminder that no player is indispensable in the NFL.
Heading 2: Colts’ Callous Treatment of Shaquille Leonard
Heading 3: From All-Pro to Waived: The Brutal Reality of the NFL
Shaquille Leonard, a three-time all-pro linebacker and the heart and soul of the Indianapolis Colts’ defense, experienced a sudden downfall. Despite his previous stellar performances, Leonard’s playing time decreased due to his recovery from back surgery. Expressing his disappointment openly, Leonard requested a meeting with the Colts, only to be informed the next day that he was being waived. The Colts’ ability to combine kindness with callousness was evident in their farewell message displayed on the stadium banner.
Heading 2: Lamar Jackson’s Unfortunate Free Agency Experience
Heading 3: Collusion Among NFL Owners?
The lack of interest in Lamar Jackson during the offseason raises suspicions of collusion among NFL owners. Despite being a franchise-altering, championship-chasing MVP candidate, no team made a serious effort to acquire Jackson. The Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders, among others, passed on the opportunity to secure a player of Jackson’s caliber. The only plausible explanation is that owners were hesitant due to the record-breaking contract given to Deshaun Watson by the Cleveland Browns. This hesitation eliminated a potential bidding war for Jackson’s services, allowing the Baltimore Ravens to secure him with a contract that fell short of Watson’s numbers.
Heading 2: The NFL’s Treatment of Players: A Disheartening Reality
Heading 3: Players Deserve Guaranteed Money
While players like Russell Wilson, Shaquille Leonard, and Lamar Jackson will still thrive financially, their experiences shed light on the NFL’s treatment of its workforce. The league’s immense wealth is built on the talents and dedication of these players, yet they are often treated as expendable. As fans, we tune in to witness their incredible skills and achievements, but behind the scenes, the NFL and its teams prioritize their own interests, often disregarding decency. Despite our awareness, the NFL continues to thrive, perpetuating a system that favors owners over players.NFL Dominance Continues as Regular Season Comes to a Close
As the NFL regular season draws to a close, it is clear that nothing can stop the dominance of America’s favorite sport. Despite criticism from retired player Tom Brady, who believes the game has fallen into mediocrity, millions of fans continue to tune in. In fact, ratings are on the rise, with 93 out of the 100 most-watched broadcasts of 2023 being NFL games. Even ESPN/ABC’s “Monday Night Football” saw its highest viewership in 17 years since moving to the cable network.
This success comes at the expense of other sports leagues, such as the NBA. Due to Christmas falling on a Monday, three football games and three pregame shows overshadowed a highly anticipated Lakers-Celtics matchup. The NFL’s popularity and viewership are unmatched.
With several divisional titles still up for grabs and numerous teams fighting for a playoff spot, this weekend’s games hold high stakes. The NFL’s ability to keep fans engaged and captivated is a testament to its enduring appeal. It is no wonder that the league is projected to surpass its 2022 national revenue of $11.98 billion, which is shared among all 32 teams.
However, behind the glitz and glamour of the NFL lies a ruthless and cutthroat reality. Recent incidents involving the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, and the treatment of Lamar Jackson highlight the disposability of players and the conniving nature of team owners. The Broncos threatened to bench starting quarterback Russell Wilson if he did not adjust his contract, violating both the law and the league’s collective bargaining agreement. The Colts granted linebacker Shaquille Leonard a meeting to discuss playing time, only to inform him the next day that he was being waived. And despite his superstar status, no other team offered Jackson a contract after the Baltimore Ravens placed a nonexclusive franchise tag on him.
These examples underscore the need for guaranteed money for players and expose the shameless behavior of team owners. The NFL’s treatment of its players should be dispiriting, yet fans continue to watch and support the league. It raises questions about our willingness to overlook the flaws of established institutions and our complicity in perpetuating them.
As the regular season comes to an end, the Denver Broncos, eliminated from the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year, will face the Las Vegas Raiders. The Broncos’ treatment of Wilson, once hailed as their franchise quarterback, reflects buyer’s remorse and a willingness to resort to dirty tricks to protect their financial interests. The threat to bench Wilson was deemed illegal and a violation of the league’s rules.
Similarly, the Colts’ treatment of Leonard, a former all-pro linebacker, showcases the team’s callousness. Despite his contributions to the team, Leonard was cut after expressing disappointment with his playing time. The Colts’ gesture of updating the banner outside the stadium with a farewell message only adds insult to injury.
The lack of interest from other teams in acquiring Jackson, a talented and valuable player, suggests collusion among NFL owners. The fear of another record-breaking contract like the one given to Deshaun Watson by the Cleveland Browns may have deterred teams from pursuing Jackson. This collusion deprived Jackson of the bidding war he deserved and allowed the Ravens to secure an extension with him at a lower cost.
While Wilson, Leonard, and Jackson will not suffer financially, their experiences shed light on the NFL’s treatment of its workforce. The league’s immense power allows it to disregard decency and exploit its players. Despite our awareness of these issues, we continue to support and watch the NFL.
As the NFL’s dominance persists, it is crucial to question the ethics and values of the league. The NFL’s success should not come at the expense of its players’ well-being and dignity. It is time for the league and its owners to prioritize fairness and respect for the athletes who make the game so enjoyable.