CBS Rejects NFL Players Union TV Ad Amidst Labor Dispute
- Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:19am by
Meredith Jessup
- Print »
- Email »
DALLAS (AP) — The NFL Players Association said its TV ad, set to run during a college football all-star game this weekend, was rejected by CBS College Sports Network because the message was connected to labor negotiations.
The 30-second commercial, which can be seen on YouTube, includes shots of empty seats and a padlocked gate at a stadium. After voice-overs say, “Let us play,“ and ”Let them play,” union president and former NFL Player Kevin Mawae says: “We want to play.”
The ad also promotes a union website and urges viewers to sign a petition.
George Atallah, the union’s assistant executive director, said Monday the ad was slotted to be shown four times on Saturday’s broadcast, a day before the Super Bowl.
“Once they saw it and realized it had a CBA-oriented message, they decided they wouldn’t air it,” Atallah said in a telephone interview.
He said they union was informed of the network’s decision late last week.
“We were told they didn’t want any part of it. We went back to them and said, ‘Why?’ And they said, ‘No,’ a second time,” Atallah said.
CBS spokesman Dana McClintock said CBS College Sports Network would not have accepted an ad from the owners’ side, either. McClintock would not comment further.
Atallah said the union didn’t try to buy time for the commercial on another network.
He called the decision to reject the ad “disappointing” and said the union wouldn’t produce a replacement commercial “because we neither have the time nor resources.”
CBS is one of the NFL’s broadcast partners.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail: “We knew nothing of (the network’s) decision, had nothing to do with it, and have no objection to anyone running the ad.”
The labor deal between the league and players expires in early March. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and union head DeMaurice Smith met in New York on Monday to discuss the collective bargaining agreement and set up a series of negotiating sessions, including one Saturday in the Dallas area.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 669 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 384 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 365 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 327 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 254 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 263 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 113 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 254 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (59)
mcFirst
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 9:12amthey lost me when after the national athem the teams stepped on the field and put their index finger in the air. I took that as a slap in the face to the fans and nationl athem. What if the fams put their fingers in the air? This is a 3 legged stool. Fans need to unite forget the players and owners.
Report Post »Speedy1
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 8:57amThe gov’t does give the teams subsidies. Tax breaks, allows the union to be non-competive. I would be happy if it was truly a free market system. It’s a game nothing more.
Report Post »Tagudinian
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 8:39amJust like anything else, somebody’s got greedy. Football is no longer just a sport and played for the love of the game. It is a business. Thus it must abide by the rules of business – not the rules of play.
Report Post »CaptVideo
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 8:37amA pro Union Ad? AHHHHH NO!!!! My family and I have been living hand to mouth for 2 years now thanks to the “Financial Crisis”. I have no sympathy for either players or ownership.
Report Post »sarg356
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 8:27amnobody is stopping them from playing.
Report Post »cykonas
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 8:26amAs long as what they make is the result of a free market process and has no government intervention or subsidies I couldn’t care less how much they make. If $1 of it is from U.S. tax payers, or the Federal government starts sticking their nose into it, then I have a problem with it.
Personally, though, if I had the talent to be an NFL player I would not join any union or give those bums one dime of what I earned. For that matter I wouldn’t give any union one dime of my earnings. I’ll look out after my own interests, thank you.
Report Post »rlo
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 8:20amThe bigger damage will be if there is a football lockout. Look how long it took the MLB to get back of of it’s fan. Has hockey ever rebounded from it’s lockout???
Report Post »Speedy1
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 8:12amWho really cares about the players and their union. Over paid and over rated players, over rated commercials costs and game tickets.
Report Post »alrunner58
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 7:57amSo what, I don’t pay any attention to their commercials. I pay attention to their actions, what a bunch of crooks.
Report Post »adl94r
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 7:55amLet’s go back to our local schools for football entertainment! Commit our time and money to family and friends. Get more involved with our cities and little towns across AMERICA! It’s hard to cheer for a team anymore anyhow. When I was a kid, one could count on your favorite players coming back the following year. Teams change too much and too often now.
Report Post »shy
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 7:39amThe NFL needs to go the way of the NHL and get knocked down a little.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 6:20amFreedom of choice being exercised by the network, that‘s something unions DON’T ALLOW!
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 4:44amGive credit where credit is due. Among all the mistakes made by CBS and their anchors they got this one right. They deserve an Attaboy.
Report Post »iamDonJuantino
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 4:27amThe new shtick; make an d intended for refusal, and get more airtime than you have afforded to buy!
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 2:45amAnd i’d make them do their own landry
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 2:44amI tell them They can come back for 50% of their previous pay……………not a penny more
Report Post »Except Aron Rogers!
Workforit
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:37amThe average Joe, you know the fan that actually built the stadiums, ticket by ticket, can’t afford to see a game now any way. The last time I went I think the $%it seats were $75.00 bucks each, not to mention $7.50 beers and $6.00 hot dogs… I quit going to pro games in the early 90′s, TV time outs among many other things ruined the momentum and the natural flow of the game for me.
The players understand the day they decide to become NFL players that they have a shelf life. As far as I’m concerned the likes of Nike, Spalding’s, Coke, Pepsi, Budweiser, Miller, Coors and any other product manufacture that ties it’s products to the game should be a little more “Invested” shall we say in the well being of all the past TEAMS. Not players unions but each team. I say team because if that star running back doesn‘t get that key block or that star QB doesn’t get the time he needs to make that brilliant pass… it is a team sport. I think advertising giants should consider themselves somewhat responsible for the futures of the “product” (NFL) they ride the shoulders of to the bank each and every weekend. As far as the owners of those teams I’d like to thank them personally for making an outing with my son and now my grandson so expensive that I have to save for a couple months to even get in the gate… Thank you. Thank you for showing me that college and high school ball can be just as much if not more fun to watch live, than any pro game. Thank you!
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:50amand one more thing… these top of the line show ponies with there unbelieveable contracts should hold themselves responsible for donating a huge chunk to the retirement of the team members they play with.
Even the last guy on the roster might make a key play that makes the “show pony” look good not only to the fans but to the advertisers as well.
Report Post »azmomof6
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:36amI don‘t care about the commercial because it has nothing to do with my life and I won’t be watching the program during which it will be shown. However, I do think it’s silly and childish for them to take their private matter to the media. Grow up and solve the problem on your own.
Report Post »Fins_2theright
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:17amMillionaires fighting with billionaires, I love NFL Football, but this seems a tad ridiculous. Do millionaires really need a union?
Report Post »flyguync
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:02amWith the economy in the tank I hope the players realize they are about to alienate more fans. I just can’t believe professional athletes feel they need a union to represent them.
Report Post »Knightmare
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:54amIs there any place that the unions don’t have their sticky hands into? Man this is a joke!!!! damn ********
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:31amI can‘t find any place they don’t.
Report Post »FlyBoy69
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:48amScrew the players union! In fact, screw all unions! Unions are killing our nation and I hate them all, every last one of them. There was a time when unions were needed, that time has long since past. Now those greedy bastards fleece their members and the public as well. We need to abolish all unions and their pin head surrogates like Comrade Chairman ObaMao! He’s the worst offender and must go!
Report Post »royalstar
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:15amOn top of that the commercial is manipulative, dishonest and an insult to the fans intelligence. I don’t give a damn about pro sports anymore due to this kind of garbage. Sports lose their luster when they become only about the business. STFU and play ball.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:23amThat’s the reason I said that CBS did something right!
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 6:53amfly-boy
Report Post »Isn’t it ironic? I think of what the political persuasion must be of the majority of NFL players. Since 60%+ are black, I‘d say it’s reasonable to assume they are Dems. Let’s say we become that redistributive, socialist ‘utopia” that the Progressives want.
If the average wage is dragged down for all, then do you think the stadiums would be full? Who will be able to afford the ticket prices?
Diane TX
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:45amPersonally, I believe the players make enough money already.
As President Obama has said, “When is enough, enough?”
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:53amWhat is the pay for a player who is not making enough? Just would like to know what “enough” is in your world.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 2:22amSo very true Diane – so very true!!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-yC
Report Post »EddardStark
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 5:27amHypocrite warning! This is the United States isn’t it? If you have a skill that is valued by society, you have the right to be compensated for it. Stop getting all socialist on us. These players are often born in obscurity, work their entire lives for one goal, risk catastrophic injury, debilitating, long-term pain and an overall shortened life span for our entertainment. They deserve whatever they get. No one is forcing the pay scale. Why is it people will defend Oil Execs, but not professional athletes. It is nothing but capitalism. Love it or leave it.
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 6:42amDiane,
Report Post »You charge what the market will pay…..that is capitalism.
If you don’t like the product or think the price is too high, you don’t buy.
It’s very easy to understand, actually.
It’s also called freedom.
mcFirst
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 9:15am@EddardStark
Report Post »Its not their skills that pay them the money, it’s the mass marketing. We all appreciate the skills but no one is really that important in the NFL.
MotherRedDog
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 7:19pmDiane, TX
Obama thinks everyone except Hollyweird, sports players and the executive offices of the WhiteHouse, make too much money. He has to have some friends.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:31amoh were is penny nance – censorship – censorship!!
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:24amI‘m sorry I don’t give a damn if it airs or not .
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:27amI don’t think they do either .. they get advertising for just the cost of producing the ad … and not paying those high per second fees. btw .. I didn’t watch it .. I think people are on to this.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:40amIf you give the average guy who was cut, canadian football, and seniors in college $300k each, you could field a team tomorrow. How about we stop paying the number 1 pick 30Million gauranteed, and say, give that to the vetern player that actually earned it. A hard rookie cap, just like in the NBA, you play for 2 years, then the team negociates a contract with you or cuts you, free agent. Do this and the players that actually perform get the money, scrubs and injury bugs, get minimum. And before any of you scream about “He got injured, its not his fault, he should get something” Injured guys on the sideline don’t put butts in the seats, or make people watch TV. Even if the guy is injured, $300k, minimum. Now how many of you busting your butts for an 1/7 of that wouldn’t switch in a heartbeat? Make the owner put a percentage into a retiree health fund, and then we are back to the games. If not, bring on the scrubs, I still remember the replacement players and man was that entertaining. Like watching racoons and possums fight over the garbage, you don’t care who wins, fun to watch, but you still got to clean the mess in the morning.
Report Post »taxed
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:54amdid I go to espn.com or something? Why is this news here?
http://conservativepoliticalforum.com
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:19am@TAXED –
I don‘t know why you’re here. If you don’t appreciate TheBlaze, you need to be trolling elsewhere. Or, better yet, write your own news story as a comment!
And, if you want anybody to go to the link you provide, what makes you think your attitude would want us to?
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:20amMe, either, Robert. Still, I can’t believe that CBS actually did something RIGHT!
Report Post »nsblues
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 3:32amWell said showtime. I’ll never understand why people click on a link, read a story, click on another link, then type out a reply, all to complain that the story shouldn’t be here.
These groups don;t really care if their ad was rejected. As has already been said, they get the promotion from being rejected w/o the cost of the spot.
Report Post »home_of_the_brave
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 3:34amI’m sorry but you play a GAME! Your salaries are way over inflated to begin with. No player deserves a 50 million dollar contract to throw or catch a foot ball. Don’t get me wrong I love to watch the game but they get paid way too much.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 6:07amWell my respect for at least one exec at CBS went up a notch. If only the news producer had as much foresight, integrity, honesty and character.
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 7:16amWhat in the WORLD do NFL players have to strike about? How much money do they get already? They should be grateful they have such high paying jobs for playing a GAME. Sheesh.
Report Post »gobluebuckeye
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 7:47amI am all for people making more money, but not via Unions. Earn it and if you are good enough you will get paid.
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 8:32amBring on the replacements. Lower the ticket price so I can take my family to a game and not cost $500 every time I do. I’ll still root for my team………………..
Report Post »hickoryrat
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 9:15amI don’t care if they ever play or not.As long as they are union they should be boycotted.
Report Post »We should do everything possible to rid this country and this economy of unions.
JJ Coolay
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:12pmI don’t get it with these labor disputes?
Report Post »The guys go to work and make hundreds of thousands of dollars and then whine because they might have to play 2 more games or whatever else they want from the owners.
When I got hired, I hired on to do a job that my employer wants me to do. If I don’t do what my employer asks, I’m out of a job—it’s that simple.
How do the professional athletes have so much leverage to hold over the owners? It’s ridiculous. Shut up and do your jobs! The rest of America is—-or wants to.
ME
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 1:53pm@hickoryrat
Report Post »right on !!
Also being from packer land I have been in bars where there was less booze, language and drunks.
Plus Go Farve the few real football players. All these overpaid losers can eat my shorts.
Sergio Q
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 4:06pmBETTER IDEA !!! ..~Let Them Get Real Jobs~
..a real job where the pay is based on X number of dollars per hour worked…then they can see how hard it is to make it in the real world not the over indulged fantasy world of football.
…ta H – E -double toothpicks with ALL UNIONS in America ,,BUST EM’ ALL and get the criminal trash out of the American Taxpayers pocket …SHATTER ANY/ALL CONTRACTS and do not not not renegosiate one thing!
Report Post »I’m not evin remotely a sports fan , but am Totally Anti-Union’s!!