EA Sports Gets Sacked by Retired NFL Players

[Xanthious]

But what do they need the extra money for? They're retired football players! They made more money in their career to last a family of 6 three lifetimes over.

-FAIL-

That statement might be true if you are talking about the top players that played the game of football in the last 20 or so years. However, most retired NFL players don't have piles of money to fall back on. More than a few retired players can't even afford the medical care they need after years of destroying their bodies playing football. Large salaries for pro athletes is a trend that only really took off in the past two decades or so.

In 1970 the average salary in the NFL was 23,000 dollars. That's right, the average NFL player in 1970 made the same amount as your typical factory worker does now. Even the highest paid athletes during those times made a fraction of a fraction of what your lower tier players get paid today. I have to assume that the majority of those people suing are the guys that didn't get the massive payday that the players of today enjoy.

I'll quote you here, FAIL.

Saying that 23,000 in 1970 equals 23,000 in 2010, is about the most idiotic and stupid thing, I've ever heard anyone say. Ever. Anywhere. Wtg.

No it was worth about 115k if you adjust for inflation. 115k today is roughly one third of the league MINIMUM. Meaning that even the lowest paid players of today still would make 3 times as much as your average player did in 1970 if you adjusted their salary for inflation.

And things cost about what, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 times less?

No an economics major I see. . . . . When you "adjust for inflation" it means that 23,000 dollars in 1970 would go as far as 115,000 would today. Now why don't you go back to amusing yourself with shiny objects and let the adults talk. Kay?

 

[qbanknight]

I haven't read all the facts, but the claims presented here are pretty weak case. Are we talking about Madden, the game where all of its player base admires the facial work done to each and every single pixelated character? No, we are taking about Madden, a damn football game. Usually, you can barely see the faces of most of the characters. Hell, I can't even recognized some football players on my own team unless they are "star players". In which case, then EA Sports would like do a little more work on their models. But for the hundreds of other NFL players? Please, they don't have the time or money to wonderfully recreate the likeness of every single one of the 6000 retired players. Nor would anyone buying the game give a shit otherwise.

 

[Pipotchi]

But what do they need the extra money for? They're retired football players! They made more money in their career to last a family of 6 three lifetimes over.

I'll quote you here, FAIL.

Saying that 23,000 in 1970 equals 23,000 in 2010, is about the most idiotic and stupid thing, I've ever heard anyone say. Ever. Anywhere. Wtg.

Even accounting for inflation £23,000 still wasnt the megabucks we associate with professional sports today, certainly not enough to feed three families of six forever.

Besides its their faces, they get to decide what they go on, its as simple as that. They might be greedy, they might geuinely need the cash, with the majority of retired NFL players falling somewhere in between I'd imagine

Quid is the wrong currency to be applying here.

It would've been enough, back then, had NFL players then (just as now), not lived on the insane belief that they could ride their athleticism to retirement. Not EA or anyone's fault, but their own, that they fucked their future so they could live the life.

Ah good point, but still Dollors or pounds my point still stands. I am not disagreeing that had they managed their money better they wouldnt need this EA cash or that the lawsuit is essentially a waste of time compared to more pressing issues. Just that if your face was included in a game you derserve either financial compensation or at least give permission. Otherwise any person could end up stuck in any old thing without recourse and that sets a dangerous precedent.

I know I wouldnt appreciate being given the starring role in "Pedophile Petes Playground Paradise" or something

 

[SilentHunter7]

And things cost about what, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 times less?

...what? He already adjusted for inflation.

 

[Cid Silverwing]

Words cannot express my glee right now so I will let this song speak for me. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy5eGK026HE]

 

[SilentHunter7]

Alright, I feel like a need to clear up the ignorance about professional athletes in this thread.

The average NFL Salary TODAY is $770,000
The average NFL career TODAY is 3 years.

Therefore, the average NFL player TODAY will make about $2.3 Million during his career. Keep in mind, that a few star players will make much, much more, and play for much longer. But also keep in mind, that a lot of people make far less, and have far shorter careers. Hell, a lot of them don't even make it out of training camp.

Anyway, back to my point, $2.3 Million is a lot of money, right? Not really, no. Especially after taxes. Consider that after a 3 year career, a player will be about 25 years old. That's 47 years until they're eligible for Social Security at 72. So, if the player budgets his money PERFECTLY, that's about $48,000 a year. Before taxes.

I know what you're thinking. $48,000/year is not too bad. Well consider the medical expenses a person incurs from playing football for 11 years straight (3 years in the NFL, 4 in college, and 4 in High School). And the fact that the NFL doesn't offer health insurance to retirees. And the fact that such injuries makes it hard to find work. And the fact that Social Security is a joke. And the fact that today's numbers don't come anywhere close to the numbers athletes were making in the 70's, even when adjusted for inflation. And the fact that $48,000 won't buy shit 40 years from now.

Also consider that the $48,000/year is the median. Half of retiring NFL players will have much, much less.

But even if you still think that they don't deserve any more money, think about this: EA used their likenesses. It doesn't matter if you're Bill Gates, or Joe Schmo. You're entitled to compensation. They aren't being selfish or greedy. EA made money off of them. They deserve a cut.

 

[squid5580]

Everyone cheering really should take a step back and read the entire article. Part of the complaint is because of MODS.

 

[Antari]

I still remember the EA intro's .... Challange Everything ... I always added, Including good business practices. Why do they keep proving me right?

 

[SilentHunter7]

There are little to no factory workers who are GIVEN insurance DURING the time they work at the factory.

Actually, statistically speaking, it's been reported that at least 4/5 of American manufacturers provide medical benefits, including dental.

 

[luckshot]

Alright, I feel like a need to clear up the ignorance about professional athletes in this thread.

The average NFL Salary TODAY is $770,000
The average NFL career TODAY is 3 years.

Therefore, the average NFL player will make about $2.3 Million during his career. Keep in mind, that a few star players will make much, much more, and play for much longer. But also keep in mind, that a lot of people make far less, and have far shorter careers. Hell, a lot of them don't even make it out of training camp.

Anyway, back to my point, $2.3 Million is a lot of money, right? Not really, no. Especially after taxes. Consider that after a 3 year career, a player will be about 25 years old. That's 47 years until they're eligible for Social Security at 72. So, if the player budgets his money PERFECTLY, that's about $48,000 a year. Before taxes.

I know what you're thinking. $48,000/year is not too bad. Well consider the medical expenses a person incurs from playing football for 11 years straight (3 years in the NFL, 4 in college, and 4 in High School). And the fact that the NFL doesn't offer health insurance to retirees. And the fact that such injuries makes it hard to find work. And the fact that Social Security is a joke. And the fact that today's numbers don't come anywhere close to the numbers athletes were making in the 70's, even when adjusted for inflation. And the fact that $48,000 won't buy shit 40 years from now.

Also consider that the $48,000/year is the median. Half of retiring NFL players will have much, much less.

But even if you still think that they don't deserve any more money, think about this: EA used their likenesses. It doesn't matter if you're Bill Gates, or Joe Schmo. You're entitled to compensation. They aren't being selfish or greedy. EA made money off of them. They deserve a cut.

I really don't give a rats ass about what NFL players make, the absurd notion that a factory worker today, has the same benefits, rights, salary and privileges a football player in 1970 did, is beyond retarded. The dipshit above made a very inaccurate analogy, and rather than fess up to it, decided to try and play around with what he 'meant'.

There are no factory workers, making 115K a year.
There are little to no factory workers who are GIVEN insurance DURING the time they work at the factory.

Period.

well then why continue to post in a thread that revolves around retired nfl players and what they earned. the factory worker salary was used to help illustrate a point that what the football players earned as high end athletes is not that much today.

couple that with the potentially crippled bodies of retired footballers and they may wish that they had been working in a factory for the last 30 years and still be employable

 

[Loonerinoes]

Can't help but remember this song and movie for some reason at this news:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2FvYkakVb8

 

[SaintWaldo]

Knowing what I know about the so-called "disposable heroes", I really hope the players get something significant.

Wow... 6,000 all it the same time? It's almost like they planned this or something...

I hear football players have some sort of training to improve coordination and action as a team. I could be wrong.

 

[William Dickbringer]

Wow... 6,000 all it the same time? It's almost like they planned this or something...

But what do they need the extra money for? They're retired football players! They made more money in their career to last a family of 6 three lifetimes over.

Perhaps now that they're retired they have nothing better to do than ***** about things?

what the kids on their lawns weren't enough to ***** about?

O.T. so 6000 huh? it'll suck even more if they ask for an ungodly amount like a million each

 

[luckshot]

well then why continue to post in a thread that revolves around retired nfl players and what they earned. the factory worker salary was used to help illustrate a point that what the football players earned as high end athletes is not that much today.

couple that with the potentially crippled bodies of retired footballers and they may wish that they had been working in a factory for the last 30 years and still be employable

Life sucks when you make more than the vasty majority make in a year and only actually work for 16 weeks (by-week, nobody works), doesn't it? Have medical expenses covered for the duration, so there's no need to worry about any of that money actually going towards insurance. Plus, even after they no longer work for the NFL, yes, Healthcare is terminated, hwoever, injuries incurred during their coverage, would continue to be covered if the medical treatment didn't work. I know, because my brother was hurt on a job 2 years ago, and they're still having to go back into surgery to fix the problem.

this is possible, but not knowing the particulars of an average nfl player's contract (or your brother's) makes this a difficult point to argue either side...unless your brother is involved in pro sports?
and depending on the amount of compensation given for injuries and what is required to handle them costs can exceed payment

Pro Football Players, make at minimum, what $3000 a week? For 16 weeks of work. More if they reach the playoffs (the amount is determined via contract), and even more depending on how far they get in the playoffs?

it seems we are getting a bit away from the central topic and group that is focused upon. what were the average players making 20 or 30 years ago, rather than now

also the main reason for the lawsuit is not truly money. it is the unauthorized use of their likenesses.

It was a bad analogy, a terribly analogy, and make Pro Football players out to be these poor abused souls. 3000 a week? If you can't support a family of 3 on 3K a week, it won't matter how much you make, because you spend well outside what you should be. I called that person out on it, we had a back and forth until I felt my point was made, and had no further reason to discuss it with him, as he's obviously received a Major in Economics from Devrye.

However, then someone else comes along and chimes in their 2 cents, at which point there's more to be said. And now we're here.

the analogy was to give some perspective on why money might be important to retired nfl players, not to imply that their lives were terrible because they failed to make trillions but that escalating costs could make what they did earn unable to provide for them in the present economy

this analogy did bring the discussion quite a bit of topic though

 

[Meoith]

Wow... 6,000 all it the same time? It's almost like they planned this or something...

But what do they need the extra money for? They're retired football players! They made more money in their career to last a family of 6 three lifetimes over.

Alot can't handle their money for shit + some enter into way to many relationships and end up paying out way to much money to their exs.