More Sports Union ownership?

For a while giving employee ownership shares in other industries. Some like the CNW became owned by the workers.
Now For example what would it be if in NFL in the70s awarded the NFLPA a franchise.
This way the union would have the inside information on the league. Would have the same financial terms of the rest of the League. What other leagues would go the same route.
 

Philip

Donor
Wouldn't that make the players part of management? I believe that would have significant legal implications for the union.
 

SsgtC

Banned
I don't think you can award the Union a franchise. There's a massive conflict of interest there. I highly doubt it would stand up in court
 

Philip

Donor
It would invalidate the CBA. Think about it. Suppose I play for the East Rutherford Unionists. I think the team had mistreated me as a player-employee under the CBA. Can I really expect the union to zealously pursue my interests against the owners (who are also the union)?

The CBA already includes extensive profit (or is it revenue?) sharing. You won't get player ownership unless you get rid of the franchise model and have all the teams owned by the league.
 
What if the union got a percentage of the league instead of a team? Would think that would allow them to know what the league makes and yet avoid the conflicts
 

Philip

Donor
What if the union got a percentage of the league instead of a team? Would think that would allow them to know what the league makes and yet avoid the conflicts

Nope. There would still be a conflict of interests. Players routinely sue the league over disciplinary actions. The union could not represent players against the league.

Something else to keep in mind: the league acts on the behalf of (the owners) of the teams. It is much closer in structure to a home owners association than a typical for-profit corporation. There really isn't much of a league to own.
 
The NFLPA being awarded a franchise is totally unworkable. However, a model similar to an employee-owned company may be. Players who stay for a certain length of time become permanent owners with voting rights, and players can exercise voting rights while they are members of the team. Kind of like the Packers but internal.
 
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