Screw Bob Kraft

[billsburgh]

That formula could be the subject of major debate during Tuesday's owner meetings in Dallas between low- and high-revenue clubs. Sources say New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft has emerged as the most vocal high-revenue franchise that is a strong dissenter to a new revenue sharing model.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2355861

it appears the he is the one holding up progress on the CBA because he doesnt like the new revenue sharing model. **** you Bob Kraft, you and your team arent above the rest of the NFL.

[ddaryl]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

another reason to hate the Patsies

I already hate big market owners

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

The one thing I will say in his defense is that he does NOT accept public funds and built his stadium with his own money.

[Mr B]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

Craft is an exellent business man. I remember when he threatened to move the Pats to Hartford, Ct. unless the new stadium was built at Foxboro. It's built now, but he isn't gonnashare. Maybe they could raise parking from $35 to $50.

They didn't use tax[ayer money? WHo paid for for the new highway leading to the stadium? Kraft?

[mybills]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

That stadium sucks, too.

[bledslow]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

they(craft,snyder,jones,ect) already share more then most.i can see why there a lil pee'd off. bunch of solialist

and the stadium is great

[ICE74129]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

Why is it screw Kraft? Again Jones, Kraft etal worked hard to get where they are. Some will say 'but it was easy where they are' Bull crap. Easier maybe, but it's hard work non the less.

I really don't have any issue with the bigger market owners until the smaller market guys do everything they can to get all the money they can. Again Sell stadium naming rights, get ticket prices up to league average and other things as well. THEN you have a right to complain some.

But even after that, you can't penalise a team because they are successful and have more money.

[Mr B]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

I don't think revenue sharing is penalizing. The NFL needs it even more after expanding to 32 teams. Every owner works hard. Snyder and Jones aren't the main reason their franchises wealth, it is also because of the long tradition of their franchises and the huge market they are in. New England isn't in a huge market, but one of the wealthiest. The same with DC. Sure a team like the Bills could jack up their prices like the big boys, but then there would be a lot of empty seats. The NFL needs revenue sharing.

[L.A. Playa]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

with all the minds in the negotiations there is a simple but complicated solution.

since we all know that it costs more to operate and more revenue can be earned in a market like NY compared to Buffalo, put somekind of economic formula into the revenue sharing model and also take into effect the pay down in stadium debt that some of these owners have who financed a new stadium with their own money.

that way if Dallas can get 10 mil a year in naming rights but a team in Buffalo can only get 500,000 based on economic conditions of the community, hae some kind of formula which allows Dallas to have to share a % of their revenue based on the economic conditions of their community and the higher cost of doing business in a more thriving enviroment.

Large market owners should not be punished for being able to have more resources available to generate higher revenues, there is a middle ground the owners just need to think outside the box

[Ickybaluky]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

Kraft hasn't been opposed to the revenue sharing plan, his opposition is based on having stadium debt taken into account.

For instance, while Indianapolis is having a new stadium built that will be paid for mostly by taxes on legalized slot machines, Kraft built his stadium with little public funding. He did receive infrastructure improvements from the state, but that money is being repaid to the state over a period of 20 years using revenue from parking fees. Thus, Kraft has a boatload of debt along with being one of the highest grossing teams in the NFL in terms of total revenue.

So while Indy spends 70% of their total revenue on player expenses to only 40% that NE pays, when you look at the stadium debt each is carrying they really aren't far apart in terms of income generated. Kraft has worked hard to increase revenue and make the Patriots viable financially, and before he shares some of that revenue he would like to account for the expense side of the ledger as well. Otherwise some teams will be receiving money from teams that generate more revenue, but they will actually be in better financial position because they have less debt to finance.

Not that I'm crying for the guy, as he is richer than I'll ever be. However, he does have a point and it is a little more complicated than just not wanting to share revenue.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

Balance is the real thing, we need to keep a balance so all teams large/small market have a chance. One thing I do recognize is that the yankees spend the most but have not fielded a world champion in years but the yankees win enough that the teams in their division they play the most normally have less of a chance of making post-season play via all those losses.

The NFL problem is the teams don't play enough games to balance out win/losses every year. So a powerhouse mega money team in one division can really effect all the tie breakers-via conference and divisional wins/losses much more so.

[ddaryl]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

Balance is the real thing, we need to keep a balance so all teams large/small market have a chance. One thing I do recognize is that the yankees spend the most but have not fielded a world champion in years but the yankees win enough that the teams in their division they play the most normally have less of a chance of making post-season play via all those losses.

The NFL problem is the teams don't play enough games to balance out win/losses every year. So a powerhouse mega money team in one division can really effect all the tie breakers-via conference and divisional wins/losses much more so.

Good points... this stuff is not all black and white like we think, or want it to be.

But BALANCE is key. All teams should have equal financial footing. No league could be balanced and fair without this system in place. IMO its what makes the NFL the premiere sports league in America, and which other leagues are copying

[Michael82]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

The problem with the greedy bastard owners (top 10 revenue teams) is that they don't realize that without the other 22 teams, they wouldn't be making all the money they make. The interesting thing is if u look at the teams in the greedy bastard faction...most of the owners were never with the league from the beginning and have acquired their team in the last 20 years. Look at the ones that are trying to get more spread revenue sharing and trying to keep this league flourishing...they are the ones that built this league from their bare hands. They are the ones that have been here all the way thru and they are a huge reason why the Snyders, Krafts and Jones are making the money they are making now. Yes the greedy bastard owners have done their own extra work to make more money...but why should they get the right to pocket it all themselves? They should share, afterall...they have the small market teams to thank for their hundreds of millions.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

The problem with the greedy bastard owners (top 10 revenue teams) is that they don't realize that without the other 22 teams, they wouldn't be making all the money they make. The interesting thing is if u look at the teams in the greedy bastard faction...most of the owners were never with the league from the beginning and have acquired their team in the last 20 years. Look at the ones that are trying to get more spread revenue sharing and trying to keep this league flourishing...they are the ones that built this league from their bare hands. They are the ones that have been here all the way thru and they are a huge reason why the Snyders, Krafts and Jones are making the money they are making now. Yes the greedy bastard owners have done their own extra work to make more money...but why should they get the right to pocket it all themselves? They should share, afterall...they have the small market teams to thank for their hundreds of millions.

Wow that's true. Success comes by the other teams failures so one hand washes the other. Great points Mikey!!

[Michael82]

Re: Screw Bob Kraft

This was the list of the 9 teams (and the year they became owner of their team) that opposed the expanded revenue sharing, according to Profootballtalk.com on 2/21/06.....

New England Patriots - Bob Kraft (1994)
Dallas Cowboys - Jerry Jones (1989)
Washington Redskins - Dan Synder (1999)
Philadelphia Eagles - Jeffrey Lurie (1994)
New York Giants - Wellington Mara (w/ the Giants since the beginning)
New York Jets - Woody Johnson (2000)
Denver Broncos - Pat Bowlen (1984)
Carolina Panthers - Jerry Richardson (1993)
Houston Texans - Bob McNair (2002)

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2-20-06.htm