Archiv » United States and the courting of the Rakuten

Back last autumn, long before the collective bargaining process for the Canadian Football League and its players began, it wasnt hard to find those around the game who figured the leagues new salary cap would come in at about $5 million. Which is exactly where it landed Saturday night, with the players and league reaching a tentative agreement which - pending ratification - will end the threat of a work stoppage for the next five seasons. The $5 million figure is an increase of $600,000 per team over one year ago which means, when combined with ratification bonuses just for signing the deal, player compensation will grow to roughly $5.3 million per team this upcoming season. Historically speaking, a payroll jump of nearly $1 million per team from one season to the next is unheard of in the CFL. So why are so many players apparently unhappy with the deal? Largely because the CFL Players Association had been trying to build solidarity by pointing to the leagues new TV contract and several new stadium, while pleading its case first for a share of revenues and then for a salary cap of $6.8 million. But as time passed, the CFLPA executive sensed the that the $5 million salary cap was a deal-breaker for the league, an amount the players were likely going to have to accept either now, or in July or sometime after that. The players had every right to expect more. But any student of professional football labour knows that owners hold more of the cards in this sport than any other. Remember that three years ago, with all signs pointing to record revenues and popularity, the NFL locked out its players and rolled back their percentage of the take. All for the same reason the CFLs owners were able to gain the upper hand with their players: because they could and this is business. The unique element of the CFLs business case is that it can reasonably say it needed to make the league more economically stable. The bad old days in the CFL arent really all that long ago (its been eight years since a CFL team folded, 11 since two others were in bankruptcy) so the league based its position on prioritizing the medium to long term future of the league. There are non-monetary wins for the players in this deal, in such things as reduced hitting time in practice time, plus the fact that veteran contracts will no longer tie players to their teams for an extra year at the clubs option. But as for how this will affect the CFL game as a whole, theres not a whole lot in this agreement thats going to change the product as we know it. The league hopes the new agreement will provide the financial footing for it and its teams to invest in all areas of its business, essentially play catch-up on some of the things it wasnt able to do while it was trying to keep its head above water. With three teams having public ownership and six other franchises owned by people of considerable wealth unrelated to the business of football, the owners getting their way in this deal isnt about fat-cats trying to line their pockets. Its really about creating a business model that can drive franchise values up and make CFL franchises desirable to own in a way they havent been for decades. Which is the very best insurance the league can have and should mean the end of fire sales and circumstances where owners are tempted to throw the keys on the table and walk away. If the league operates soundly from here on, there will be better paydays in a stronger CFL down the road. Thats little consolation for this group of players, most of whom wont be around to share in the spoils that may come. But for a league that has spent much of the past 30 years trying to stay a few steps ahead of The Grim Reaper, theres no shame in striking a deal that builds a solid financial foundation to the future. Cheap Oilers Jerseys . Masahiro Tanaka has touched down in the United States and the courting of the Rakuten Golden Eagles stud pitcher has begun in earnest by a bevy of MLB teams interested in the Japanese ace. Cheap Adidas Oilers Jerseys .com) - Oregon wasnt going to let Arizona ruin its national title dreams for a second straight season. http://www.cheapedmontonoilersjerseys.com/ . On Sunday, hell attempt to become the youngest driver to win a NASCAR Nationwide race on Iowas short track. The 20-year-old Blaney wont be the only kid pushing a podium finish. Wholesale Oilers Jerseys . The 30-year-old Moore played in 13 games for the Saints last season, catching 37 balls for 457 yards and two touchdowns. Cheap Oilers Jerseys Authentic . He is nigh unstoppable against the leagues worst. The 31-year-old dangerman set up two goals and scored two himself as Toronto FC rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the slumping Houston Dynamo 4-2 on Saturday night.DB: What was going through your mind on that penalty shot, take us through that.Joey: Well, you know I went in and I knew I was gonna deke, but then I changed my mind and went with the shot. I was thinking I was gonna take, but then was like, wait a second I dont like what Im seeing, so I shot.DB: What did Michelle say to you during the 2nd intermission? You seemed to be a completely different player in the 3rd period.Joey: Um, I think she said, "Are you drunk? Have you been drinking on the bench?" And I said, "No, I was drinking in the locker room, it was much different.DB: There were reports that you werent going to play in the game out of fear of being embarrassed by Stoewall? Are these reports true?Joey: They are true, you know he was a very intimidating force. So, you dont wanna have second thoughts, but I was having them. But sometimes you gotta suck it up and forge ahead.DB: How long have you been a Red Wings fan?Joey: Ive been a Red Wings fan since I was in my moms womb and I remember, I think it was when I was conceived I heard the words, "He shoots, he scores!"(photo: The Awesome Boston)DB: You famously have a lot of red wings things in your room in the basement, what do you have?Joey: I have several jerseys. I actually have a Hartford Whalers jersey and a couple Hartford Whalers things down there too. (Breaks character and says the following as himself) Those actually werent put there by me, those were the set director, who knew nothing about hockey. And I kept asking the Red Wings organization to send me Red Wings stuff. So, I would replace the Hartford Whalers stuff slowly over time with Red Wings stuff.DB: Can you compare the twins wwith the Sedins?Joey: I think so, well theyre roughly the same size, right? Mary Kate, great hands.dddddddddddd. Ashley, more of a checking forward, more of a backchecker, more of a defensive player. Shed probably win the Selke.(photo: Zimbio.com)DB: Apparently DJ married a Bure, were you invited to the wedding?Joey: I was invited to the wedding. I set DJ up with a Bure. Yes, when he was with the Montreal Canadiens, I met Val Bure at a charity hockey game. And he and his brother Pavel, apperently what they told me is they learned how to speak english by watching Full House rewinds.(Reddit)DB: Are you on this team and who is this guy? (pictured above)Joey: Yes, this is the classic Jesse and the Rippers hockey team, but I dont know this particular guy. Im actually working on making a Woodchucks hockey jersey. Itll have a little face with a thought bubble above his head that says, "Is that made of wood?" or "Is that stick made of wood?"DB: Can you go Bardown?Joey: Can I go Bardown? I can go socks up, I can go underwear down, I can go cup to the left, cup to the right. And you know what? I can Zizzle.Earlier today, Dave Coulier was on TSNs Off The Record with Michael Landsberg where he told this amazing story about drinking out of the Stanley Cup with Chris Chelios and partying with Kid Rock. Also, wait till the end for the hilarious Mike Babcock impersonation. Dave Coulier will be at Yuk Yuks in Toronto tonight, as well as Yuk Yuks in Mississauga Friday and Saturday night. You can buy tickets on his website davecoulier.com.You can also purchase his up coming stand up special, "Glorified Birthday Clown" on his website as well. 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