bluecoconuts said:
Wow they are really tearing into the NFL right now, that was pretty brutal. I don't know how the NFL can't go and fix the issue with the refs right away, at this point the regular refs have so much leverage it's not even funny.
Well, ESPN (ie Disney) is paying the NFL an arm and a leg for a professional product, but instead is getting bush league. My guess is that many viewers are tuning out, and that this is impacting TV ratings for games. This means that advertisers and cable operators are going to be balking at paying contracted rates. Hence, Disney's lawyers are going to be arguing for reduced payments to the NFL, AND probably threatening a lawsuit as well for the NFL's material breach of contract - because the NFL is delivering a substandard product to their viewers.
Goodell really screwed up this time. This isn't just about a few players and some bounties, now we're talking serious change (billions) that will eat into the owners pockets. And Disney is much larger than the NFL, with a much bigger team of lawyers. The NFL isn't going to be able to simply bully them around like they do to everyone else.
So, my guess is that the announcers are, in part, reflecting the frustration of ESPN/Disney execs, and I'm sure there are going to be some very strong phone calls made to NFL corporate tomorrow morning, if they have not already been made.