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So now what?
The sudden death of NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw raises a raft of questions, and let's get started: Where does the union go from here? Who replaces Upshaw? What impact will his passing have on future collective bargaining talks? And what impact does his passing have on the game?
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| Gene Upshaw 'fought hard for the players' to earn the respect of Roger Goodell. (Getty Images) |
I don't know how long he runs the NFLPA, but I do know of at least two persons who, prior to Thursday, thought he would retire within the year. Maybe that changes now, I don't know.
I suspect that if it doesn't we'll hear about all sorts of possibilities as a permanent successor, including former union presidents Trace Armstrong and Troy Vincent and current president Kevin Mawae, provided, of course, he retires.
Also expect to hear about assistant executive director Clark Gaines, who was promoted by Upshaw this spring, as well as a wild card I'll throw in just to add to the intrigue: Tom Condon.
If his name sounds familiar it should. Not only is he a former player; he's one of the most powerful agents in the business -- with Condon's Creative Artists Agency representing NFL stars like Peyton and Eli Manning, Marvin Harrison and LaDainian Tomlinson.
The bottom line is: We can't know where the NFLPA goes until it settles on a permanent executive director, and that will take time.
But once it's done we could -- and maybe should -- have an idea where the NFLPA is going, particularly with the upcoming CBA talks. The current CBA doesn't expire until March 2011, though if there is no deal by March 2010, that season would be played without a salary cap. There's no reason to push the panic button yet. But there's already a level of concern from both sides that makes you wonder if a work stoppage isn't possible ... or maybe even likely.
"It's going to be difficult," said one league source. "This time it's different because now we're in the business of running stadiums and building stadiums, and that's never been done before -- particularly when you have stadiums that run $1.6 billion (the estimated cost of the new Giants and Jets facility)."
The NFL hasn't had an interruption in play since the 1987 season, and that, it seems, is the legacy Upshaw leaves behind. Tell me another professional sport that combined the enormous success of the NFL along with two decades of uninterrupted play. You can't, and there's a reason.
Upshaw cared about the game.
He cared about the players he represented, but he cared as much for the game they -- and he -- played. Maybe that's because of his experience as a Hall of Fame athlete, I don't know. What I do know is that under his direction the NFL produced a comprehensive benefits package, took the lead on drug testing, forged extensive player programs, started a rookie symposium and enacted a tough player conduct policy.
