Our Monday Updates
It’s another Monday, one week after Super Bowl Sunday. Some current news items of note as well as a couple of reminders on some events and dates that are coming up.
.
No Raise for poor Roger!
.
According to a recent piece from Dan Kaplan of Sports Business Journal, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has generously opted out of a raise in accepting a new 5-year extension to his own contract through March 15, 2015. His salary – along with other executive salaries – are being publicly disclosed in their recent 2009 IRS tax return that Sports Business Journal received in advance of filing. It’s hard to feel sorry for a guy who still managed to take home $10 million+ ($2.9 million in base pay, and $9.76 million overall including bonuses, and deferred and other compensation). They even managed to pay former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue $3.3 million in “consulting fees,” apparently for having done such a fantastic job of negotiating that last CBA (which they’ve now canceled a year before it expires). In total, the Top 8 NFL Executives earned the paltry sum of $35.86 million in 2009. Do you think any of these guys have to worry about their pensions or medical and health care? Hmm. And these are the guys asking for 20% pay cuts from the players?
.
.
.
GOODELL SIGNS 5-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION
.
League releases executive salary info in new tax filing
.
BY DANIEL KAPLAN
STAFF WRITER
.
The NFL has added 3 ½ years to Commissioner Roger Goodell’s contract, SportsBusiness Journal has learned, extending the deal through March 1, 2015. His initial five-year deal was scheduled to expire Sept. 1, 2011.
.
Goodell is taking no increases in his base pay, a move designed to send a message that the league is willing to tighten its belt in light of its battle with the NFLPA over how much players are paid, and after a recent round of cutbacks at league headquarters. The extension was approved unanimously by NFL owners at a meeting in Dallas in mid-December, but the league only publicly disclosed it today. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, Goodell earned $2.9 million in base pay, and $9.76 million overall including bonuses, and deferred and other compensation, according to the NFL’s tax return, which will be filed next week, and a copy of which the league gave early to Sports Business Journal. Once filed with the IRS, the documents are public.
.
That return is the first to be filed under the IRS’ new disclosure rules requiring that the pay of more executives are listed. So, for the first time, the league is listing the compensation of executives other than just the commissioner.
.
The highest-paid executive after Goodell is Steve Bornstein, the head of NFL Media and NFL Network, who earned $7.44 million in total compensation. The next highest paid is Jeff Pash, the chief labor negotiator and general counsel, who earned $4.85 million. Eric Grubman, the executive vice president who oversees marketing and sponsorships, earned $4.44 million.
.
Read the rest of the article – click HERE.
.
Another Endless Study from the Same People who Brought You Dr. No
Much like the tobacco industry kept pumping out self-funded studies on the safe effects of “Lite” and Menthol cigarettes in the ’70s and ’80s, the NFL keeps trying to conduct their “extensive” on-going studies on helmet safety. Apparently, the League has been looking at this important issue for over 15 years! Wow! The old Keep-Throwing-Money-at-It-Until-Something-Sticks strategy doesn’t work any more in this age of Internet communications. Be sure to read Dr. Robert Cantu’s quotes at the beginning of this article from Peter Keating of ESPN:
.
NFL’s helmet testing scrutinized
U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., views an older NFL football helmet during a hearing in Detroit in January. The House Judiciary Committee heard from retired players about head injuries in football.
The NFL is preparing to deliver results of its research on football helmets next month, but some observers are raising questions about who has been running the league’s testing program, the type of tests it is using and the validity of its results.
.
Some independent experts and helmet makers believe the process is misleading and even potentially dangerous — concerns that have prompted one manufacturer to withdraw from the ongoing program.
.
“We are no longer participating in the NFL’s helmet testing process,” says Vin Ferrara, CEO of helmet maker Xenith. “We have deliberately gone against the grain of their mechanical tests, we think to the benefit of players. And the very idea of saying we did well or didn’t do well gives credibility to these tests that they don’t deserve.”
.
Last month, the NFL announced it was conducting research on football helmets as part of what it called “the latest in a series of steps over the past 15 years to address player safety with respect to concussions.” The league’s Helmet Concussion Assessment Program (HCAP) plans to present its conclusions to team equipment managers and the NFL Players Association Executive Committee in March. But the program is being run by men who say there has been essentially no serious brain injury in the NFL since 1996, and researchers have been subjecting helmets to tests not recognized as standard by the sports equipment industry.
.
Read the rest of the article by clicking HERE.
.
Gay Culverhouse Players Outreach Program in Tampa tonight
Just a quick reminder about that meeting for the Gay Culverhouse Players Outreach Program in Tampa tonight at 7:00 pm. Click HERE to read the details – if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by to meet some of the people on her team and hear about their plans.
.
We received a note from their Executive Director, Patience Smith, about Dr. Culverhouse’s foundation:
The Gay Culverhouse Players’ Outreach Program, Inc. (GCPOP) is dedicated to helping former National Football League players in accessing helathcare and disability benefits to which they may be entitled, through education, technical assistance, emotional support and financial aid. If a player has been denied benefits or would like to apply for benefits, the GCPOP free assistance may include: help to determine eligibility for benefits, assistance with needed forms, locating proper medical assistance, payment (in some cases) for initial medical evaluation or legal assistance. There are several programs administered by the National Football League, including: Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan; Joint Replacement and Spine Treatment; the 88 Plan; Player Care Foundation; Player Assistance Fund; Alumni Dire Need Fund and the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Disability Plan.
.
Please call us at 1(877) 427-6744 or 1(813) 961-6744, email us at info@playersoutreach.org, or visit our website at http://www.playersoutreach.org/
.
If you would like additional information, Dr. Culverhouse and her staff will be at the Gay Culverhouse Players’ Outreach Program, Inc. meeting held Monday, February 15, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Comfort Inn Conference Center, 820 E. Busch Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612. Appetizers & beverages will be served. For room reservations call 1(813) 933-4011, mention Players Outreach Program and book by Feb. 12th to receive special pricing.
.
We will be able to assist you with questions you may have on the benefits to which you may be entitled.
.
ALL FORMER PLAYERS ARE WELCOME
.
And Last Call for Old NFL Lawsuit Settlement Checks
And one final reminder about the NFPLA’s search for members of an old class action that’s about to close on Feb. 19, 2010. There are still some players listed in the suit who have money waiting for them and if you know f how to contact any of these guys, get in touch with them immediately. Click HERE to get to that earlier post with the list and contact information.
.
Barbara Sandusky
February 15th, 2010 at 4:54 pm #
Since brain injuries caused so many problems many years after Mike’s football career was over, I’ve been starting to take a look at helmet interiors. I suggest that you e-mail sales@marchants.com or call (toll-free) 1-877-439-9400 and ask for information about the Xenith football helmet.
Although I’m not knowledgeable regarding helmets, I’m fascinated by the Xenith shock-absorbing concept. The company is actually located in MA. That phone number is 1(866) 888-2322 and their site is http://www.xenith.com. It’s a start.
Barbara Sandusky
Mike Sandusky
Pittsburgh Steelers
1957 – 1965
Dave Pear
February 16th, 2010 at 12:15 pm #
What is the NFL’s plan for the retired players who suffer from concussions and brain injuries?
We played with those cheap, lightweight Riddell helmets that did little more than hide our faces!
(Note the Riddell sticker just above that face mask on my helmet in my enlarged 1980 Topps card above.)
We were taught to hit with our head and if it hurt, to be a man and hit back harder.
However, now with the Internet, retired players finally are able to begin communicating with each other after ALL these years when we were required to play in such a way that would cause permanent brain injuries.
In fact, an 82-year-old study by Dr. Harrison Martland remains frequently cited by researchers today, partly for its meticulous examination of damaged brains.
Brain injuries from football have changed the lives of the injured retired players and their families permanently!
Regards,
Dave & Heidi Pear