As of today, the National Football League (NFL) is in day 104 of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA
) negotiations which have created a near five week long lockout. The lock out ceases any NFL operation and activities which include player workouts and use of team facilities. The NFL owners and players association continue to meet and have released a statement that they’re optimistic that a new CBA will be reached within the next three weeks. If they are correct and do agree on a new CBA the NFL season will have enough time for a revival and football fanatics will have their beloved game this year. On the other hand these are the same owners and players that were optimistic about not having a lockout and reaching a new CBA months ago. This is the same group that took a ruling that overturned and lifted the lockout to appeals court to have the lockout put back into effect. The NFL will not know an exact date on when the lockout will be lifted so in the mean time, we sports junkies need to feed our sports crave with a certain amount of sports and football fuel. Here are a few recommendations the GURU offers to help ease the pain of NFL lockout talk and provide a true fan with the alternatives that help keep your football blood flowing.
5) Follow other sports
During football season there are other exciting sports to follow that will keep the edgy and competitiveness still burning inside you as a fan. Baseball is getting into its playoff stage during the NFL season and the hunt for October usually leads to an interesting World Series. NBA basketball and college basketball gets underway right around mid football season so just in case the season is cancelled the NBA is right around the corner. Following other sports is also a relief from the stress from the current lockout.
4) Follow the News
This may be weird because it seems like I’m telling you to follow what’s depressing but following the news will keep you properly informed on the latest breaking lockout news. The news also continues to follow celebrities so we may stumble across our favorite player and some off field antics that may affect him or the game.
3 Follow local sports and sports programs
Take this free time to catch up on the new and upcoming prospects in your region or the nation. High school and community youth leagues is where every star began his journey and it’s where every scout goes to find the next big thing, as a fan we must be familiar with our future. Semipro and arena football can be included in the section as well because it’s all football and good football at that.
2) Make College football the new NFL
College football is growing in popularity and the talent gets better every year. The most we have to worry about college football being canceled is if a program is given the death sentence like SMU in the late eighties but even in that case there’s over a hundred other teams to watch. There are multiple bowl games so the chances of your favorite team being in a championship game are greater than the NFL and the kids seem to play harder. This could be number one but we want the NFL, our professionals and celebrity athletes.
1) Don’t worry we will have football
The NFL is a billion dollar business the owners and players will have to settle or they both lose out. They don’t want it nor do we and they are aware of this. Be patient. If we don’t have the season today we will most definitely have it tomorrow. However, in the mean time, don’t give up on football and stay football sharp by staying engage in sports in particular football related sports and programs.