Why is it a longshot? Last year, my sister, who has no clue about the NFL, said "why doesn't Brady just take the punishment?"
I said "It goes deeper than that."
And, here we are.
I think people like Lester Munson, and the other legal bozo on ESPN, along with others, who know ESPN's billion dollar deal with the NFL for MNF, are not understanding what we're talking about here.
This is a CBA situation, with a bully (the NFL) trying to lie and paint a picture that isn't real, for easier long term financial gain.
This is supplemental to this Deflategate thing, but ask yourself this:
1. Why did Goodell lie about Ray Rice? Why did he lie TWICE? The entire country saw it, but why would he try so hard to work with the union on such an easy decision that I am sure the union felt awkward even arguing?
You know why? A 9.5 million cap hit in 2015 if Rice was cut in 2014. That's 30 million on the books between Flacco and Ray Rice in 2015, and RIce wasn't even there.
What team has given NE some issues in the AFC in the postseason? The Ravens.
2. What is Goodell's sales pitch London investors? There is only one: PARITY
3. Why has Jacksonville been such a featured team in London. They're terrible.
Why?
Because Kahn doesn't get the ROI needed in the current CBA, which is a boon if you have a good market, good team and good tv contracts.
Jacksonville has a 20 year old out of date stadium, no sell outs, no home games in the playoffs, and even though Londoners probably can't sustain an NFL product there, he knows a tv deal in London with sponsors is worth more there than in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville plays in the AFC.
Jax just signed up for 6 more years to play in London, the only team to do that. Odd, isn't it? You're trying to sell the product and you want Jax to do it? Hmm.
If you do the math, Jacksonville is moving to London. I read Dan Rooney say Goodell was doing a good job and "hitting his measurables"...
Once I read that, I knew it meant getting a team in London.
Here's the catch: A current team HAS TO MOVE TO LONDON. Why? Because ya can't sell 2 new teams, expansion teams right now, because there aren't enough quality FAs past the age of 30, like there was in 1994 when the cap started (in 1993).
No real investor is going to take a risk on investing in the Jaguars in London as a team if they stink and if there is no parity, and especially if they play in the same Conference as the Pats.
NE goes to its 6th straight COnf Title game this year barring major injuries. Heck, the Pats went to the 2013 and 2015 title games with major injuries and no business even getting there.
This is historical, but the cap was created not only for the players, but to block dynasties and to have a balanced revenue spread throughout the league. The Pats block that from being a reality.
This whole thing, including Spygate, is about framing a lie to the public to be able to weaken the Patriots, to keep parity and expand into Europe so Goodell can go from 44 million per year, to 88 million per year.
These are not coincidences. This is a multi billion dollar operation.