Earlier this month we tentatively sent a date of NFL draft weekend for the largest fan protest and tailgate party in pro sports history. Feedback from hundreds of fans, as well as developments over the past couple of weeks have led me to believe that pushing this back into the summer is a better decision.
There are number of reasons for this decision, however the bottom line is that our ultimate goal is to gain as much attention as possible to the fan movement while hopefully stopping the lockout in the process. Based on your input, we have decided to move this event to the time when most training camps are scheduled to open (Saturday July 30th) for the following reasons:
- Many fans remain optimistic that an agreement will be reached in the coming months; it is not until the scheduled start of training camps that the reality of a cancelled or seriously tainted season will start to set in. The excitement of the NFL draft will distract many fans from the reality of the labor dispute situation.
- We do have to give the parties a fair chance to resolve this; I don’t believe that the owners have any intention of serious negotiations, and both parties are completely out of touch with reality, however at this point nothing has been lost YET.
- A later date gives us much more time to organize, promote, and attract media attention. This event needs to be a huge success for the professional sports leagues to finally get the message and end their disrespect towards the fans.
We are still looking for fans interested in organizing or attending this event that will be held simultaneously in all 32 NFL cities (and at training camp sites as well if they are empty due to a lockout). The owners have the power to shut down the league, but fans are ultimately in charge if we will respect ourselves. The league has nothing without the revenue contributed voluntarily by loyal fans, and our loyalty continues to be tested and taken for granted. Visit our lockout site or e-mail me directly at timclaiborne@prosportsfansunion.com
the fans pay every single dime to the players and owners, and they have the audacity to keep the the fans in limbo. the fans run the total show, with-out the the fan base there would be no nfl period. if the fans would boy-cot the nfl, it would be a whole different story. you million dollar suckers have got a lot of nerve. just think if you have a nfl game with no one in the stands, who is going to get paid what and how much will the owners profit, NOTHING. this situation is kicking the main aspect in the ass, the fan. this is total selfishness in the first degree. the fans are the boss. ask the fans opinion of what should be done. they run the show. this is cut block to every fan that supplies money to these babies(players and owners). after this recess is resolved, i hope the bosses(the fans) boycott one game or more(not one single fan in the stands) and check the reaction from the players and owners and ask them what they have in their wallets. this is a fan based game not a player or owner based situation. these people are just like the gas prices. the fans should take a stand and not wait until they resolve it, because they don’t fill the stands. FANS STAND UP.