- Joined
- Jan 27, 1999
- Messages
- 11,791
- Reaction score
- 12,206
Offline
And on several fronts, the contrast between what the NBA has just done and what the NFL has done recently with its signature event, the Super Bowl, warrants discussion on this forum.
I watched the pregame and most of the first half of the All Star game last night. The presentation and telecast heavily emphasized the city. It was a tremendous marketing effort by the NBA, which does know something about marketing.
I keenly am aware of the commitment that the NFL made to New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Katrina. Paul Tagliabue is personally responsible for the Saints staying in New Orleans. With a different commissioner, the Saints would have permanently relocated to San Antonio. And I was at the 2006 Atlanta game and know that the league made the Saint's return to the Superdome a national event.
However, I offer these observations:
1. The NFL's commissioner at the league's signature event two weeks ago in Arizona spent way too much time talking about Spygate and dark clouds on the horizon with the collective bargaining agreement. Too many prominent owners--the younger guys who have built the new stadiums and who have a large debt to service but considerable potential to generate revenue--are advocating the league should opt out of the CBA (is it in 2009?), which will open Pandora's box and could result in the end of the salary cap in pro football. If the salary cap goes, professional football changes greatly. Look at major league baseball.
2. I know people with both Saints and Hornets tickets who constantly tell me how much more consumer-friendly the Hornets organization is than the Saints organization.
3. Assuming the state and Saints come to some agreement extending the team's commitment to remain in New Orleans, the NFL should give the city a Super Bowl. Good for the city. And good for the league's image.
I watched the pregame and most of the first half of the All Star game last night. The presentation and telecast heavily emphasized the city. It was a tremendous marketing effort by the NBA, which does know something about marketing.
I keenly am aware of the commitment that the NFL made to New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Katrina. Paul Tagliabue is personally responsible for the Saints staying in New Orleans. With a different commissioner, the Saints would have permanently relocated to San Antonio. And I was at the 2006 Atlanta game and know that the league made the Saint's return to the Superdome a national event.
However, I offer these observations:
1. The NFL's commissioner at the league's signature event two weeks ago in Arizona spent way too much time talking about Spygate and dark clouds on the horizon with the collective bargaining agreement. Too many prominent owners--the younger guys who have built the new stadiums and who have a large debt to service but considerable potential to generate revenue--are advocating the league should opt out of the CBA (is it in 2009?), which will open Pandora's box and could result in the end of the salary cap in pro football. If the salary cap goes, professional football changes greatly. Look at major league baseball.
2. I know people with both Saints and Hornets tickets who constantly tell me how much more consumer-friendly the Hornets organization is than the Saints organization.
3. Assuming the state and Saints come to some agreement extending the team's commitment to remain in New Orleans, the NFL should give the city a Super Bowl. Good for the city. And good for the league's image.