Sheridan teeing up with Berger, wojnarowski and Bucher

They are all basically saying that the union has conceded too much already and that the agents are right (as expressed in the letter yesterday). They seem to think the agents are looking out for the players.

Sheridan is more bullish than the others on getting a deal done quickly because he thinks Stern can force the owners to move. Call me skeptical.

8 months ago Jax 9 comments 0 recs |

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This is a really good read.

I’m impressed that Sheridan quoted his competitors who had essential things to say. I’m of the opinion that an agreement will happen Wednesday or Thursday or won’t happen at all. I’m then of the opinion that the agents, now strangely unified, will begin discussing plans for real alternatives for their clients.

by John Raffo on Oct 4, 2011 9:22 AM PDT reply actions

Once again.

“They seem to think the agents are looking out for the players.”

No, they care about their commissions.

"Buckle your seat belts, folks. This one's going down to the wire." -The inimitable Ralph Lawler.

by Gordon for President on Oct 4, 2011 9:36 AM PDT reply actions

if they don't care about the players they would not be successful long term

"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.

by Jax on Oct 4, 2011 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Players = money. Couldn’t you say the same thing, “If they don’t care about the money they would not be successful long term?”

by yaggiefresh on Oct 4, 2011 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the agents care about getting paid the most

Already in the current system, what are the agents doing? Mostly the players fall into one of several salary slots. In any given year, most players don’t need an agent to fall into that slot. Mostly you need a lawyer, maybe, to finalize your contract. That’s assuming you aren’t a strong reader since because of that rigidity, you have to figure most of the language is boilerplate.

So in a new system that gives the owners what they want, its even more rigid between a harderish cap and a lower overall cap. The agents are again significantly marginalized.

Its funny because to me the thing that would most benefit the players, no collective bargaining, would make the agents the most important and most needed to the individual player. Instead they are demanding to maintain the status quo, via a show of a fake decertification which if real would make agents of primary importance, where they are only truly needed by a few players instead of moving to a system where there is next to no purpose for them. Its better for the agents, I guess, but only marginally so.

Just all feels so shady and dishonest. Comes with the territory of those involved I guess.

by John R on Oct 4, 2011 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions

It's too easy to bash the agents...

I think these guys are mostly smart and truly love the sport. And I don’t think they’re so foolish as to do anything to harm that sport. Their well-being is tied up with the player’s well-being but they’re in an interesting position, because they are not members of the union and can’t vote. But their opinions are certainly valid, and they see a deal that they don’t like. Nothing wrong with that.

by John Raffo on Oct 4, 2011 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions

If its too easy...

Is it weird that the players have the union AND the agents (AND potentially the government) and they are still on target to get what many consider a bum deal?

Maybe none of these people really are looking out for the players.

by John R on Oct 4, 2011 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I've wondered the same thing.

Isn’t Billy Hunter being paid non-contingent of getting a deal done? Where’s his urgency in getting a deal done? I’d assume there isn’t much at all for Hunter. Further, I have a hard time siding with agents — if it were in their best interest I’d assume they’d want a model like baseball where they get 10% of a $300 million. Of course they don’t want to see BRI decrease for the players and they don’t want to see owners getting more money. Agents are phenomenal at PR and I have a real hard time accepting anything they say (see: Elton Brand).

Agents are going to look at it from a, “How do I get my player (which in turn means me, the agent) the most money at the end of the day?” While I agree that the players deserve the money it’s going to come at the detriment of the season and, possibly, the long-term financial success of the league. I just wonder how much of a wrench the agents will be in getting a deal done.

by yaggiefresh on Oct 4, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions