The Greedy NL

The NFL is a business, I get that. And they are profit motivated, I understand that also. Like any other company they need revenue to pay their employees, expenses and pocket a profit. Makes sense, the team owners did't start these teams just for wins and trophies and to unite the local populace. They are business men, and its a business. Every move they make is designed to create income. Good business practice. In the beginning they played the season and whoever had the best record was the champion. Then they got an idea, divide the teams into two groups, take the team in each group with the best record, play a championship game. An extra game means more money. Good business move. One day someone in the NFL had a light bulb moment and came up with the idea of involved the two best teams in each group, now called divisions. Then, more divisions. The "wild card team" was just another money making move. Then they realized people would watch games on this new fangled contraption call TV and things really took off. Some one figured out that fans would pay money for clothing and other items with their team's colors and logos and merchandising was born.

Last year the state of Delaware wanted to legalize state run betting parlors for betting on NFL games. The NFL screamed no, took the state to court. They did not want their product associated with gambling. This would create opportunities for, or at least the appearance of corruption.

Ok, first its already associated with gambling, that's what the point spread is all about, gambling. But I get that I guess. Big game, big money on the line, might make some one want to kidnap the star player for the favored team's family and make him throw the game. I know that could happen, I have seen it in the movies so many time. But there already is gambling on football, legal or not and it hasn't happened yet. I think most bookies are satisfied with the couple of million they are already making on an honest Super Bowl without going to that extreme. But hey, it COULD happen. (snicker here)

Then I saw a new scratch off game form the Georgia lottery. The Atlanta Falcon scratch off game. You could win money and tickets to Falcon games. Had the official Atlanta Falcon logo and everything. And you know every state with a team and a lottery had the same game going on. But isn't lottery gambling? I'm confused here. Oh, no I get it. These states were paying the NFL royalties. Hmmmm, get the hint, Deleware?

Who Dat?

Who dat say they gonna beat dem Saints? Who Dat?

Catchy ain't it? So who owns it? In 1983, Steve Monistere produced the song "Who Dat Say They Gonna Beat Dem Saints" with Aaron Neville and several Saints players. Who Dat has been their chant ever since. They put it on signs, they scream it at games, they paint it on their bodies.

The Saints have qualified for the Super Bowl for the first time in their History. There are not any fans anywhere that support their team with anymore pride and enthusiasm than Saints fans. Maybe some fans are as fervent in their support, but considering how bad the Saints have been for as long as they have and still have the fan support, well, these aren't band wagon fans, these are true "die hard fans".

A lot of merchants in New Orleans are having printed, and selling shirts with the phrase "Who Dat". A lot of merchants in New Orleans have gotten cease and desists orders from the NFL. They are claiming sole rights to that phrase made popular by a song written by someone with no ties to the league or team, and adopted and popularized by a fan base that through endless horrible years kept coming to the games, kept supporting their team. WOW.

Look out paper bag manufactures, you're next.