Gumbel in trouble for ripping Upshaw

[Clockwork Orange]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2556517

NEW YORK -- The job status of Bryant Gumbel, scheduled to be the play-by-play broadcaster on the eight late-season games on the NFL's in-house network, could be the subject of a discussion by NFL officials after Gumbel's suggestion that Paul Tagliabue show his successor "where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash."

Tagliabue said Monday that incoming commissioner Roger Goodell and Steve Bornstein, who runs the NFL Network, will discuss the remarks after Goodell takes office Sept. 1.

Gumbel addressed his closing remarks on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" last Tuesday to Goodell.

"Before he cleans out his office," Gumbel said. "Have Paul Tagliabue show you where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash. By making the docile head of the players union his personal pet, your predecessor has kept the peace without giving players the kind of guarantees other pros take for granted. Try to make sure no one competent ever replaces Upshaw on your watch."

Tagliabue's response: "What Gumbel said about Gene Upshaw and our owners is about as irresponsible as anything I've heard in a long time."

Upshaw did not immediately return a call placed by The Associated Press.

However, a number of owners have said that they thought they had given away too much to the union in a last-minute six-year contract extension that added almost a billion dollars in the league's contribution to the players.

And Upshaw told the AP several weeks ago that he was able to get more from the owners than he had agreed to just a few days before the owners finally agreed on the new deal.

Gumbel, once the host of the NBC pregame show and later co-host of "The Today Show," said when he was hired that no restrictions had been put on his ability to comment on what he sees on the field.

"It's a lot like covering any story," he said. "You see what is front of you and you report on it."

The two-year-old NFL Network will televise eight late-season games on Thursday and Saturday nights this season.

[broncofan]

Gumbel is a complete idiot. Anybody who takes his remarks as witty and hard hitting are fooling themselves. I can't even stand to listen to a word he has to say anymore.

[Garcia Bronco]

Nice. While the show has some good pieces on it from time to time... it would be good to see Bryant get the hook. If I were in charge I would extend it to his brother as well.

[bendog]

Gumbell's right, though.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by bendog

Gumbell's right, though.

He was dead on the money. Upshaw's a marshmallow. It was hilarious the way some folks on this board portrayed him as a wild eyed extremist, hell bent on League destruction a few months ago.

[Atlas]

I like Bryant Gumble. What he said might not be entirely true but it is insightful. I don't think anything will be made of it. In 1997 Denver creamed the Faid 31-3 on Monday night. Al Michaels was ripping into Al Davis, wondering when he would give up control of the Faid and then he started saying that the Faid should change their slogan to "A commitment to mediocrity." Davis was fuming after the game and went after Michaels. I don't even think Michaels apologized for his remarks.

[bronco militia]

"Before he cleans out his office," Gumbel said. "Have Paul Tagliabue show you where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash. By making the docile head of the players union his personal pet, your predecessor has kept the peace without giving players the kind of guarantees other pros take for granted. Try to make sure no one competent ever replaces Upshaw on your watch."

bwahahahah holly crap, that was awesome

[BigPlayShay]

He may be right about Upshaw, but I don't agree that NFL players should be given guarenteed contracts the way NBA, and MLB players are. It just doesn't make sense for the sport. The risk of injury is far greater in Football to be giving away guarenteed contracts. Signing bonuses should suffice. Health Care after football on the other hand, that is somehting the league needs to do somehting about.

[BroncoSoja]

I dont care if Gumbel is right or wrong I hate the dude and am very happy he finally found a way to hang himself so to speak

[Garcia Bronco]

What ever...if you look at the deal...Upshaw did a great job. Gumbal has no business making a remark like that. Gumbal has no idea what is involved nor is he a player or the union rep for the NFLPA.

[-Slap-]

I respect Gumbel for speaking his mind, without regard to future employment. His HBO show has nothing to do with his commitment to the NFL Network for game coverage later this year. I can't wait until the imperious pricks at the next owner's meeting splutter in anger and I hope they cancel Gumbel's contract and he sues their flabby old mantits off.

[bendog]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

He was dead on the money. Upshaw's a marshmallow. It was hilarious the way some folks on this board portrayed him as a wild eyed extremist, hell bent on League destruction a few months ago.

Upshaw's just looking for his mealticket. It should be obvious to anyone remotely paying attention that the people getting obscenely wealthy are the owners. A handful of players get what seems to us huge amounts of money, but compared to the take ... not that much. We have 35 individuals and one quasi public corporation taking 42 or 46%. Not that there's anything un-American about that ... besides their holding cities up for stadiums.

However, what's nasty about Upshaw is that the average NFL guy really is selling his health for not all that much money. More than the avg Joe, sure, but the average career is less than five years. The money's all tilted to a few, and the high draft picks. But, because the owners and the payatons are happy, the lower level guys have no juice. And they won't unless some guy like Marvin Miller comes along.

I thought the Duke was wrong on the strike.

[bronco militia]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

I respect Gumbel for speaking his mind, without regard to future employment. His HBO show has nothing to do with his commitment to the NFL Network for game coverage later this year. I can't wait until the imperious pricks at the next owner's meeting splutter in anger and I hope they cancel Gumbel's contract and he sues their flabby old manboobies off.

exactly.......from week to week Upshaw rarely stood behind the players when it came to fines and suspensions.

add in the new CBA, and you can see why Gumbel thinks he rolled over....again.

props to Gumbel..even if I rarely ever agree with him

[Taco John]

I like Gumbel and believe he and Simms are the best duo when it comes to calling a game.

[bronco militia]

Originally Posted by Taco John

I like Gumbel and believe he and Simms are the best duo when it comes to calling a game.

wrong Gumbel..

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by bendog

Upshaw's just looking for his mealticket. It should be obvious to anyone remotely paying attention that the people getting obscenely wealthy are the owners. A handful of players get what seems to us huge amounts of money, but compared to the take ... not that much. We have 35 individuals and one quasi public corporation taking 42 or 46%. Not that there's anything un-American about that ... besides their holding cities up for stadiums.

However, what's nasty about Upshaw is that the average NFL guy really is selling his health for not all that much money. More than the avg Joe, sure, but the average career is less than five years. The money's all tilted to a few, and the high draft picks. But, because the owners and the payatons are happy, the lower level guys have no juice. And they won't unless some guy like Marvin Miller comes along.

I thought the Duke was wrong on the strike.

I'm sure they've insulated the process to the point where a Marvin Miller isn't even possible anymore. Lucky for them.

You make a really good point, though. The Payatons are happy and they're really the key to the whole thing. As long as Manning, Ray Ray, Champ and the other top names insist on making 10-20 times more than their teammates, the salary structure will remain broken and the guys at the bottom will get screwed, royally in some cases.

We live in a superstar culture that totally supports this type of arrangment, though. This mindset certainly extends beyond the world of sports as CEOs in this country are paid far more handsomely than their peers in other countries.

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by BigPlayShay

He may be right about Upshaw, but I don't agree that NFL players should be given guarenteed contracts the way NBA, and MLB players are. It just doesn't make sense for the sport. The risk of injury is far greater in Football to be giving away guarenteed contracts. Signing bonuses should suffice. Health Care after football on the other hand, that is somehting the league needs to do somehting about.

Fair take, and one of the reasons that the NFL has done so well to date is the fact that, Guaranteed contracts ARE NOT in the picture. MLB is a joke with these contracts, let alone that the owners and such WILL not reign in the likes of the steinbrenners of the world with some hard nosed rules to level the playing field. "king" george continues you to "buy" all stars, pays the fines, because MLB lets him. I have nothing against him personally, I'd do it to if MLB let me and I had the cash. They do need to level the playing field though, some teams have NO chance, and I mean none. The NFL, on the other hand, can say that the playing field is about as level as it gets, short of the few "idiots" and their poor decisions in charge of football teams. These athletes earn way to much as it is from where I sit..dman

*I know , I know, the owners are raking it in, this is true. But, the players do not carry the burden of the "risk" involved with running a major leauge team, the owners do. The players are employees, thats about it in todays MLB. It is out of the box, especially just before the deadline.

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

I'm sure they've insulated the process to the point where a Marvin Miller isn't even possible anymore. Lucky for them.

You make a really good point, though. The Payatons are happy and they're really the key to the whole thing. As long as Manning, Ray Ray, Champ and the other top names insist on making 10-20 times more than their teammates, the salary structure will remain broken and the guys at the bottom will get screwed, royally in some cases.

We live in a superstar culture that totally supports this type of arrangment, though. This mindset certainly extends beyond the world of sports as CEOs in this country are paid far more handsomely than their peers in other countries.

Either you are a superstar, or not. IF you are not, better practice. If you are, better continue to perform at that level, or you are gone. I have no problem with accountability. guys at the bottom getting screwed? Earning 1 or 2 mil a year? Throw me in that briar patch getting paid to play a childs game...dman

[bendog]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

I'm sure they've insulated the process to the point where a Marvin Miller isn't even possible anymore. Lucky for them.

You make a really good point, though. The Payatons are happy and they're really the key to the whole thing. As long as Manning, Ray Ray, Champ and the other top names insist on making 10-20 times more than their teammates, the salary structure will remain broken and the guys at the bottom will get screwed, royally in some cases.

We live in a superstar culture that totally supports this type of arrangment, though. This mindset certainly extends beyond the world of sports as CEOs in this country are paid far more handsomely than their peers in other countries.

Yes, football's really no different to society. From who wants to be a millionaire to american idol. My Kid asks me how much something costs sometimes, things like mulitmillion dollar houses, so I tell her, and she says 'where do they get all the money.'

I don't know about Marvin Miller. Fifteen years ago, I'd have said he ruined the game. But 'roids aside, baseball's in fine shape. Sure, the game's different with guys changing teams, but the whole fantasy sports thing grew out of that. No doubt that what happened to Curt Flood was wrong, and the system needed change.

It goes in cycles, so maybe it'll change, but the solid truth of it is that there are maybe 5-10% of the players who are off the charts, physically. If teams simply blackballed the bottom 50% of players, I doubt we'd notice a difference. So, so long as the top stars are cool with it, the bottom level get's screwed. The owners just have to make sure they pay the stars enough to keep them from jumping to the Mexican League or World Football League.

[ludo21]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

I respect Gumbel for speaking his mind, without regard to future employment. His HBO show has nothing to do with his commitment to the NFL Network for game coverage later this year. I can't wait until the imperious pricks at the next owner's meeting splutter in anger and I hope they cancel Gumbel's contract and he sues their flabby old mantits off.

'

lol

I have no problem with what he said, i like the defiance he showed.

Whats the over/under he aoplogizes by next week?

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by bronco militia

exactly.......from week to week Upshaw rarely stood behind the players when it came to fines and suspensions.

add in the new CBA, and you can see why Gumbel thinks he rolled over....again.

props to Gumbel..even if I rarely ever agree with him

there is an appeal process for fines and suspensions and the union works ith every player in that regard.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

"Before he cleans out his office," Gumbel said. "Have Paul Tagliabue show you where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash. By making the docile head of the players union his personal pet, your predecessor has kept the peace without giving players the kind of guarantees other pros take for granted. Try to make sure no one competent ever replaces Upshaw on your watch."

Beautiful, and absolutely true!!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------------------------
Average NBA salary is $4.9 million... guaranteed

Average NFL salary is $1,169,470... NOT guaranteed

Average MLB salary is $2.6 million ... guaranteed

[Mediator12]

Its funny, because it is true and everyone knows it. However, the world no longer tolerates truth, just political correctness.

I have said for years that Upshaw is a horrible union president who is a pawn of the mega Agents, sponsors, and elite players. That being said, the other leagues are wrong on Guaranteed contracts not the NFL Mr. Gumbel.

Upshaw's major Failings:

1. There is no way that the elite Players are worth five, let alone up to fifty, times the guys playing with them. They also make up to 50 times more income from local and national endorsements.

2. The state of Veterans benefits, or more correctly lack of benefits, is laughable.

3. The lack of discipline in a league that has around 60% of its players with some form of Substance abuse problems (yes, the latest figures were THAT high). The fact that 17% of the current players in the nfl (2005 figures) have criminal records and are still employed.

4. Despite highly deceptive propaganda, the lack of a competent support system to help NFL players adapt to the unique stressors of a being a professional athlete is appalling. These guys are handed huge amounts of money that is completely squandered within an average of three years of being out of the league. They are ill prepared to handle the notoriety and spotlight that is focused on them 24/7/365. The rookie symposium is getting better every year, but it is not even close to enough.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by defenseman

Either you are a superstar, or not. IF you are not, better practice. If you are, better continue to perform at that level, or you are gone. I have no problem with accountability. guys at the bottom getting screwed? Earning 1 or 2 mil a year? Throw me in that briar patch getting paid to play a childs game...dman

That's not the bottom I'm talking about. Do you think the guys on the end of the roster are all making one or two million a year? Some of these guys who wash out leave the game with little more than lifelong physical ailments and whatever education they received in college.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

Its funny, because it is true and everyone knows it. However, the world no longer tolerates truth, just political correctness.

I have said for years that Upshaw is a horrible union president who is a pawn of the mega Agents, sponsors, and elite players. That being said, the other leagues are wrong on Guaranteed contracts not the NFL Mr. Gumbel.

Upshaw's major Failings:

1. There is no way that the elite Players are worth five, let alone up to fifty, times the guys playing with them. They also make up to 50 times more income from local and national endorsements.

2. The state of Veterans benefits, or more correctly lack of benefits, is laughable.

3. The lack of discipline in a league that has around 60% of its players with some form of Substance abuse problems (yes, the latest figures were THAT high). The fact that 17% of the current players in the nfl (2005 figures) have criminal records and are still employed.

4. Despite highly deceptive propaganda, the lack of a competent support system to help NFL players adapt to the unique stressors of a being a professional athlete is appalling. These guys are handed huge amounts of money that is completely squandered within an average of three years of being out of the league. They are ill prepared to handle the notoriety and spotlight that is focused on them 24/7/365. The rookie symposium is getting better every year, but it is not even close to enough.

Hey, Garcia, read this twice and apply it to the Droughns thread as well.