Black Wednesday

With rumors flying that the owner-player's union squabble is a smoke screen for the rich owner-less rich owner's internal quarrel over revenue sharing, it appears the NFL is headed for a Bloody Thursday. Union boss Gene Upshaw has left negotiations in New York, and commish Paul Tagliabue has set a 4 pm deadline for a new CBA.

I still don't think the owners would be so foolish to risk the success of the NFL, when there are apparently so few (although expensive) sticking points in the negotiations. Not agreeing on a new CBA would be the defintion of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Perhaps this is all wishful thinking, but I have to believe the owners will strike an 11th hour deal.