The owners of the New York Giants and New York Jets each issued statements today trying to strike an optimistic tone toward the now-endangered 2011 NFL season.
Giants' owners John Mara and Steve Tisch sent the following letter to their season ticket holders:
We are as disappointed as you are in the developments of the past week and the current state of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
For there to be no CBA in place today is extremely disappointing, given the amount of time and hard work and the numerous conversations devoted to achieving an agreement, not just in the last two weeks but over the last two years. We are not happy about that and we certainly understand and appreciate your unhappiness and frustration.
Where we are today serves no positive purpose for you, for our players and for the National Football League. Although we had hoped and expected to have an agreement by now and are disappointed that we do not, we remain as committed as ever to returning this process where it belongs, which is the negotiating table. We are convinced that what we have stated many times remains true, that there will be a new agreement and there will be a 2011 NFL season. It is just a matter of when we are able to reach an accord on the current issues.
The impatience and the displeasure we know you are feeling is completely understandable. We can only assure you that the point of the entire process is to make our game as strong as it can possibly be and to enable it to continue to grow for the good of everybody - the league, the players and the fans.
The last thing we wanted is for the business end of our sport to play out this way. We know people frankly don’t care how owners and players manage their business. These negotiations distract and detract from what is most important to all of us: the game.
Jets' owner Woody Johnson issued a much shorter, but equally optimistic statement, to Jets' fans:
"It may take longer than we all had hoped, but New York Jets fans should know that a deal will get done and I remain confident that there will be NFL football in 2011. Although I was very disappointed that the union chose legal maneuvering over negotiating, I am convinced that our differences can be resolved at the bargaining table. We care deeply about our players and will continue to work towards an agreement that is fair and reasonable for everyone - the fans, the players and the teams. The goal for the Jets will not change - we are committed to bringing you a championship."
Is anybody buying what these guys are selling? I'm not. Forget the statements, fellas. Everybody involved with the NFL is getting rich. Just get a deal done, somehow.