Will the NFL’s $100M Bribe Pay Off or Will the Protests Continue?

Now, a full year later, the controversy has not only brought the NFL empire to its knees, but there was collateral damage as well.  ESPN.

The network has lost its bully pulpit and, much like the New York Times, CNN, NPR, Newsweek, Time, and NBC/ABC/CBS News, has lost its luster and an ability to inspire trust in its reporting.  Yet, it BELIEVES that it is still relevant, despite all its financial misery and loss of employees on a massive scale.

What happened?

What happened to ESPN is exactly what happened to the Fourth Estate as a whole:  it veered Left and never compensated the other way.  Now, they’re literally on a course for the edge of the proverbial cliff with nothing to stop their swerving vehicle except a complete abandonment of steering Left.

The NFL, as well, has committed also to a sharp Left this week and that will be the last nail required in the coffin of its eventual demise.  It is a bribery of sorts, but one that ESPN sees as a “bright spot” in this awful ratings plummet to which the NFL leadership has committed itself.

While it’s unsure why the leadership believes this will be a decision that will take them from the red back to black, it is nevertheless a commitment to devastating consequences that they appear to be completely oblivious to apprehending.

In an unprecedented move for a major professional sports league, the NFL has proposed partnering with its players to effect social justice change, though not all players are in agreement on the proposal.

On Monday, the league submitted to players the final draft of a proposal that, according to documents reviewed by ESPN, would contribute nearly $100 million to causes considered important to African-American communities. The NFL hopes this effort will effectively end the peaceful-yet-controversial movement that former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started when he refused to stand for the national anthem last season.

Players are expected to discuss the offer during a scheduled conference call ‪Wednesday night.

However, some players who have actively protested since 2016 are displeased with the NFL’s approach and plan to break from the Players Coalition, a group of roughly 40 players who negotiated with the league office, over how its leaders have handled negotiations. Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and former NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin are regarded as the leaders of the coalition.

Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas and 49ers safety Eric Reid tweeted Wednesday that they are withdrawing.

“The Players Coalition was supposed to be formed as a group that represents NFL Athletes who have been silently protesting social injustices and racism,” Thomas and Reid said via Twitter. “However, Malcolm and Anquan can no longer speak on our behalf as we don’t believe the coalition’s beliefs are in our best interests as a whole.”

Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills said he has “a ton of respect” for Jenkins and Boldin. But according to Stills, there has been lack of communication within the group, as the NFL primarily communicated with the Players Coalition through Jenkins and Boldin.

Regardless, the NFL has made its pitch, and although there is no quid pro quo, the hope is that the league’s commitment will create an environment in which players will no longer want to protest.

The NFL’s multifaceted offer earmarks at least $89 million over a seven-year period for both national and local projects, according to the documents. On the national level, owners this year would allocate $5 million, with their commitment growing annually and maxing out at $12 million per year from 2021 through 2023. At the local level, owners would put up $250,000 annually and expect players to match that amount, totaling $500,000 for each team.

Players and owners can exceed that amount if they choose, with no matching requirement.

In addition, there would be other fundraising opportunities, including telethons and auctions of jerseys worn in games.

The players who no longer back the Players Coalition intend to remain active in their communities, promoting what’s important to them. During that process, Reid can lean on a friend.

“I speak with Colin almost every day,” Reid said. “He’s getting things set with his nonprofit. I may just work with him.”

No matter the outcome of the owners’ vote in March, Reid still plans to continue to push for racial equality and is among a group of players who will likely continue to protest.

And so, there it is.  They say that this is a no quid pro quo agreement, but it’s transparently obvious what this is and if the players agree to it, then they are just as stupid as the owners take them to be.  Why not just call this what it is?  A bribe to stop your damned protests!

That wouldn’t likely play well with the FNIC, but at least maybe then we’d stop seeing these fluff pieces about the NFL.

Source:  ESPN