With the current global pandemic in an uproar, the world of sports has been brought to a complete halt. With this steadfast pause across the country, COVID-19 has the world speculating about the future of sports leagues. Some of this speculation includes late starts to seasons and potential canceled seasons for the NFL and NBA leagues, however, the most significant speculation surrounds fans. Not just the fan anticipation to see sports broadcasted on television but some recent speculation suggests that stadiums with no fans are a strong possibility with the safety regulations currently in place across the country. Some argue that fans in stadiums aren’t required to bring the enjoyment and entertainment of sports to the homes of millions across the country. I argue that the world of sports will not be able to survive without the participation of fans throughout the season which includes filled seat stadiums.

As I mentioned previously there are many that believe that sports can continue with the current safety regulations and be successful at the same time. I believe in the complete opposite, my first argument comes from a financial standpoint. Fans attending games generate a significant amount of profits for all league organizations. From season ticket holders, to box suites, and just individual ticket sales I don’t see the league being able to fulfill the multi-million dollar contracts they have agreed to with each and every athlete in each respected league. According to an ESPN anonymous source, it was said in a segment earlier this week that no fans at MLB games could result in a 30 percent pay cut on MLB player contracts. The bigger question ultimately aside from financials is that with that posed threat on player contracts will players continue to play at reduced price tags? My answer, no chance! Players such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry in the NBA or Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers in the NFL are veteran guys that are cashing in on their contracts while their talent remains peaked. There is so much more left to argue, but financially even with stadium pay cuts which a USA Today article discussed, “You (wouldn’t) need ushers and ticket takers and concession stand operators and parking attendants,” Carter explained. “That’s a small, small, small number — but that’s also going to go into the appreciation of just exactly how costly this would be (Medina).” Would that be justifiable to long-time season ticket holders and veteran athletes that are used to consistently being paid and provided with the league amenities year in and year out? Financially my argument grounds have been covered but there is much more to be considered.

In the previous paragraph, I discussed the financial reasoning why fans are a necessity when it comes to resuming the world of sports currently on pause. In addition to that reasoning, another key factor for the world of sports being played with fans in attendance is the culture and energy fans provide. The atmosphere of the sports arena with the attendance of passionate fans is what “makes or breaks” the culture of each respected sports leagues. The fanbase for home and away games is what gives the games and events the edge for each team depending on the location. I believe based on athletes I’ve spoken to over the past few months that they feed off of the energy that is brought in and repelled off of the stadium walls. After speaking to Jets linebacker Tarell Basham he mentioned that the energy of fans and “explosive charisma” they provide is what gives “me the edge to push forward each and every down at MetLife.” This is just one of the many athletes that have given me similar insights on their opinions of stadiums without fans. That energy and strange/unique characteristics that come from each and every fan is what makes sports more than a game it creates a family through a fanbase and a lockerroom. An article I read from The Atlantic had discussed the way of life without sports, “We need sports because we now live in a world where each day seems to start with some previously unthinkable horror. Sports always gave us one happy place to end the night (Reilly).” This is how a majority of fans view sports within their homes and without fans being able to attend games the league would never be the same and I don’t believe it would be able to function both financially and culturally.

As a newly enlisted season-ticket holder, I personally would be very upset with the decision to close off stadiums to fans. But, for the safety of both fans and athletes, I can respect that decision. The only aspect of the decision I feel will reign true is that the leagues will not generate the success that it has in years and decades past. Both financially and culturally the leagues will struggle, players may refuse to participate not due to pay cuts specifically, but because of the experiences, they are provided with because of fans being included in their careers. There are plenty of media outlets out there that have mixed opinions but one argument I cannot see a counter to is that fans in attendance provide a special experience to both themselves and athletes season round.

In conclusion, the world of sports will not be the same without fans in attendance, and I personally do not see a success rate in terms of culture and finances to say otherwise. The leagues, inner organizations, and athletes should view fans as a necessity to the game they play not just because they ultimately pay their paychecks but because they give them the ultimate playing experience in the big leagues. Although this essay was more of an opinion based theory, it is significant because it impacts millions across the globe. Fans and athletes that participate in sporting events both at the games and at home add up to well over millions of participants and the world of sports resuming will give these fans and athletes a glimmer of hope in these challenging times. Safety is the number one priority for every person involved in the sport league processes, including the resumption of play. Money vs. lives is a significantly poor discussion, and no amount of success and generated profits for the league can replace the safety of even one single human life being put at risk due to a financial benefit. We all must simply hope for a season to start especially those such as myself that are fans, but we need to see the safety regulations out prior to jumping into a season kickoff.

“Fans Expect Sports to Come Back Before They’ll Be Comfortable Filling Venues.” Morning Consult, 24 Apr. 2020,

morningconsult.com/2020/04/06/fans-expect-sports-to-come-back-before-theyll-be-comfortable-filling-venues/.

Martin Rogers. “Can Professional Sports Really Go on without Crowds? So Far, Sporting Events Have Been up to the Task.” FOX Sports, 6 Apr. 2020,

Medina, Mark, et al. “What If Coronavirus Concerns Force Sports Leagues to Close Doors to Fans?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 7 Mar. 2020,

Reilly, Rick. “I Miss Sports So, So, So Much.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 20 Mar. 2020,

In order for the National Football League (NFL) season to begin the CBA agreement must be in place prior to the kickoff of any team activities. It is believed by many that football is just that, a fun and thrilling sport that families watch on Thursday night, Sunday all day, and Monday night. There is a lot, however, that goes into the process of conducting the league as a whole. The CBA agreement, which is an abbreviation for the Collective Bargaining Agreement, is a labor agreement that reflects the results of the “collective bargaining” negotiations between both the NFL and the NFLPA. The NFLPA is formally known as the National Football League Players Association, their job is to represent the athletes and protect their safety while playing and additionally protect their salaries from playing throughout the season. If and when the CBA agreement takes place the contract lasts a total of 10 football seasons or years. The last agreed CBA proposal was back in 2010 and now is due for an extension that was just agreed on this past month. This essay aims to not only argue but prove that the agreement in place is best for the majority of athletes in the league despite significant disagreement from players during the voting process.

There are quite a few key aspects of the CBA agreement that need to be considered while players vote yes or no for the proposal to pass. For this new CBA proposal, the players are given a one week window to thoroughly gather information and make their decision on whether to vote yes or no. Before the voting process began there were multiple complaints submitted by athletes with years of experience on the legalities that lie within the generated proposal. Some disagreement from athletes came when the league decided to add another game to the regular football season, regularly 16 weeks now expanded to 17, in addition to this change the league also expanded the NFL playoff structure. Although most of these players believe the agreement or proposal is unjust to players with experience in the league or veterans I argue that not only is it best for the league but it is best for the majority of the players. The players nearing retirement have a clear cut case that they don’t want their bodies to undertake excess injury at the final stages of their career. However, in refutation to this argument players are compensated that are currently under contract. All players under contract are paid regularly for the additional game and in addition to this in the proposal the minimum contract value for both rookies, middle-class players and veterans has gone up significantly.

With the players arguing that the CBA proposal is unfair the majority of the league consists of players in the prime years of their career and players that were either just drafted or undrafted. Due to this majority of athletes being in that characterized group I just mentioned the proposed CBA agreement has been approved by the players after the one week voting period. The margin for the final tally vote came down to a mere 60 vote margin. 1,019 players voted yes to ratify the new CBA, while 959 players voted against the ratification. This vote was conducted in a democratic matter which the NFL and NFLPA feel is the best way to safely and fairly conduct the voting process. Another big disagreement came with the voting process in the fact the players are unable to retract their vote and change their choice of yes or no. Although they may be swayed by other opinions in general elections for public officials, votes cannot be withdrawn so in the same case for this voting process that disagreement/argument is entirely invalid. There is plenty more to dissect with this CBA agreement in terms of what this agreement entails as well as what players opposed.

In addition to the increased playoff structure as well as the increase of one game to the NFL regular season, there were a few other changes that took place under this new proposed agreement. Players will now be getting 47% of all league revenue which is up from the last agreement signed and that number could rise even higher depending on partnership deals with TV stations as well as other sponsors. This is yet another reason why this deal is so beneficial to the athletes and the specific ones complaining are being unjust and unrealistic in what they are expecting. The NFL is all about expansion and with that comes change, players make a significant amount of money each year depending on their play as a whole and their style of playmaking. The fact that “some” players are against the proposal because of one game is completely irrational. Players continue to explore the benefits of this new deal with not only increased financials but suspension limitations. One problem in the league was always penalization for drugs and other substances as well as law-breaking. This new agreement allows no suspension for marijuana use which players use as a pain treatment. This is a significant gain for the athletes as they can now undergo treatments and not be halted by suspension warnings.This agreement has been protested for weeks and I feel personally with the facts presented that they are taking their role in the league for granted. These players are getting increased salaries and more leeway with the drug policy as well as more playing time. The veterans continue to only think about themselves and not the 60 percent of the league that is the future. That 60 percent is also the players that have not made a significant amount of money in their careers compared to the veterans that have had their fair share of paydays. I feel based on these facts listed within the NFL CBA agreement that the majority of players are getting the best deal they can get under the current world circumstances with the global pandemic taking place and affecting markets nationwide. The voting for this proposal is closed and nothing can be done officially to overturn this decision however, players will continue to revolt which will get them nowhere. In addition, this deal is very player-friendly for the next 10 years and they should not take that for granted.

In addition to the increased playoff structure as well as the increase of one game to the NFL regular season, there were a few other changes that took place under this new proposed agreement. Players will now be getting 47% of all league revenue which is up from the last agreement signed and that number could rise even higher depending on partnership deals with TV stations as well as other sponsors. This is yet another reason why this deal is so beneficial to the athletes and the specific ones complaining are being unjust and unrealistic in what they are expecting. The NFL is all about expansion and with that comes change, players make a significant amount of money each year depending on their play as a whole and their style of playmaking. The fact that “some” players are against the proposal because of one game is completely irrational. Players continue to explore the benefits of this new deal with not only increased financials but suspension limitations. One problem in the league was always penalization for drugs and other substances as well as law-breaking. This new agreement allows no suspension for marijuana use which players use as a pain treatment. This is a significant gain for the athletes as they can now undergo treatments and not be halted by suspension warnings.This agreement has been protested for weeks and I feel personally with the facts presented that they are taking their role in the league for granted. These players are getting increased salaries and more leeway with the drug policy as well as more playing time. The veterans continue to only think about themselves and not the 60 percent of the league that is the future. That 60 percent is also the players that have not made a significant amount of money in their careers compared to the veterans that have had their fair share of paydays. I feel based on these facts listed within the NFL CBA agreement that the majority of players are getting the best deal they can get under the current world circumstances with the global pandemic taking place and affecting markets nationwide. The voting for this proposal is closed and nothing can be done officially to overturn this decision however, players will continue to revolt which will get them nowhere. In addition, this deal is very player-friendly for the next 10 years and they should not take that for granted.

In conclusion, the newly agreed-upon proposed CBA agreement is the best agreement possible for the vast majority of NFL athletes. To recap, players only have to play one additional regular-season game, in turn, they receive increased salaries, increased revenue from NFL partnerships and larger minimum pays to any player at any position. Veterans will be sacrificing for one additional game that will furthermore deliver more profits to players and the league as a whole. As to the significance of this paper, it is directed to not only fans of football but to athletes who continue to rebel against this agreement. Fans need to understand that there is a significant amount of business and time that goes into playing football and that it is not just a sport to watch with your family. This sport dictates how lives are lived and can impact the futures of millions of people not just fans but for athlete’s families. For the other target audience, veteran players, do not take this agreement for granted money is being made and that is the reason that the majority of your group continues to play. Fair shares of earnings have been, retire if you are completely unhappy and against the sport that you are representing and participating in for all the years, you have been since being drafted. This agreement is in place and couldn’t be any better of an agreement for the majority of the league.

Battista, Judy. “NFL Players Approve CBA: Impact on League in 2020 and Beyond.” NFL.com, National Football League, 15 Mar. 2020,

www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001106247/article/nfl-players-approve-cba-impact-on-league-in-2020-and-beyond.

Goldman, Charles. “NFL Players Vote to Ratify New CBA.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 15 Mar. 2020,

Graziano, Dan. “NFL CBA Approved: What Players Get in New Deal, How Expanded Playoffs and Schedule Will Work.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 15 Mar. 2020,