Super Bowl XLV

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

They don't have a salary cap anymore OST.

Well, they didn't in the 2010 season that is true, but it was subject to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement being renegotiated at which point the salary cap will hopefully be reintroduced so teams couldn't just go out and pay players whatever they wanted. It would be a disaster in my opinion if the salary cap was to go.

[ghanimah]

One of the main reasons I love the NFL though, is the concept of ‘parity’. Every team has to comply with a rigidly enforced salary cap.

That's always a thing that has puzzled me about Gridiron - for a country as ruthlessly laissez faire capitalist as America why they have a concept which is almost the complete antithesis of that in their national sport. I presume there must be some logic behind it (in American economic thinking) but from a position of relatively little knowledge of the sport I can't see what it is.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

That's always a thing that has puzzled me about Gridiron - for a country as ruthlessly laissez faire capitalist as America why they have a concept which is almost the complete antithesis of that in their national sport. I presume there must be some logic behind it (in American economic thinking) but from a position of relatively little knowledge of the sport I can't see what it is.

It is indeed a complete contradiction. Just one example of why, for me, America is endlessly facinating.

[Simon Pieman]

That's always a thing that has puzzled me about Gridiron - for a country as ruthlessly laissez faire capitalist as America why they have a concept which is almost the complete antithesis of that in their national sport. I presume there must be some logic behind it (in American economic thinking) but from a position of relatively little knowledge of the sport I can't see what it is.

As OST says, it's for parity. The Yanks don't have a promotion/relegation system either so they try to make teams as even as possible. Pretty much the same in every American sport.

[Jamiesfuturewife]

I'm in it for the cheerleaders!

[Freddies Ferret]

i imagine quite a few of us are jfw!

[ghanimah]

As OST says, it's for parity. The Yanks don't have a promotion/relegation system either so they try to make teams as even as possible. Pretty much the same in every American sport.

I appreciate the parity bit, but why do the Americans adopt what is essential on the surface at least a 'socialist type' system? Why don't they have relegation /promotion? Why don't they say if you're crap then tough? Why don't they say be as rich as you like? They do for all other aspects of American society (look how worked up they get about modest healthcare reforms). What makes their sports different?

[Jamiesfuturewife]

Wow this is borrrrrring!!

[Simon Pieman]

I appreciate the parity bit, but why do the Americans adopt what is essential on the surface at least a 'socialist type' system? Why don't they have relegation /promotion? Why don't they say if you're crap then tough? Why don't they say be as rich as you like? They do for all other aspects of American society (look how worked up they get about modest healthcare reforms). What makes their sports different?

It's supposed to make it exciting so you don't get the same team winning each year. In turn, this keeps up interest in the sport and therefore maximises potential revenues.

The reason they don't have promotion or relegation is because the divisions all operate out of a franchise model.

[shady]

Sign in if you don't understand the rules 

Good rendering by Christina

[carbonwhite]

GO CHEESEHEADS 

[shady]

C'mon Steelers 

[shady]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bay,_Wisconsin

[shady]

The characteristic shape of Pittsburgh's central business district is a triangular tract carved by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, which form the Ohio River. The city features 151 high-rise buildings,[13] 446 bridges,[14] two inclined railways, and a pre-revolutionary fortification. Pittsburgh is known colloquially as "The City of Bridges" and "The Steel City" for its many bridges and former steel manufacturing base.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh

[tans]

Not really a fan, but ill stay up to watch it. I suppose its not really knowing much about the game. I prefer the NBA basketball, the all star weekend is brilliant.

Green Bay Peckers to win