I guess when you make ten dimes a day you figure that you had better do something but this is ridiculous. Mandatory Video Cameras in the NFL players locker rooms? Is he forgetting that all of these guys are millionaires too and accustomed to some degree of privacy? What’s next, mandatory jock straps? Shower cams?
These were the questions going through the minds of sports fans across the country when they read about Goodell’s latest prank on the NFLPA. Under the guise of getting more fans out of the living room and over to the stadium to watch the games in person, Sir Roger has decreed that the last inner sanctums of the entire football facility, the player’s dressing rooms, will now be equipped with video cameras to record all the action. Oh yes, and they are mandatory!
If this was aired on Saturday Night Live, it would be pretty funny. Let’s film a bunch of sweaty 300 pound football players in various states of undress while the coach caller for yet one more for the Gipper. Is he serious?
Unfortunately, it appears that he is. I wonder if they did a survey of NFL fans and found that a significant number of them were yearning to see the players performing in a locker room environment. Can you picture that?
The locker-room-links will then be sent up to the giant video screens now located in all of the stadiums these days for the entertainment of the fans in attendance. However, these coveted films will not be shared with the folks that stayed at home to watch the event on TV even though they are loyal fans.
Doesn’t the NFL have an lucrative contract with various television networks to broadcast its football games? Seems like kind of a conflict of interest here, eh Rog?
He seems afraid that the attraction of the new high definition big screen television screens will lure fans away from the stadium and….. he is probably correct. The high price of tickets, parking and concessions within the stadium are not exactly encouraging fans to get out there in the sunshine and see the game live.
But, is showing the guys running around in their dressing rooms the way to get fans out to the stadium? I seriously doubt it. This is just Roger Goodell, as he was recently depicted on the cover of Sports Illustrated, wielding his big sword around and commanding attention.
The world eagerly awaits the response of the NFL Players Union.
