TEH OFFICIAL 2014 NFL SEASON Thread

[RVR II]

The Donald says he's gonna go for it..

Trump plans to make a run at buying the Bills
April 14, 2014, 8:58 PM EDT
AP

When Donald Trump first disclosed his interest in the Bills, he said he'd been approached about investing.  Now, he says he wants to take over.

Trump told Tim Graham of the Buffalo News that the one-time owner of the USFL's New Jersey Generals intends to make a run at buying the Bills.

"I'm going to give it a heavy shot," Trump said.  "I would love to do it, and if I can do it I'm keeping it in Buffalo."

Of course, Trump wouldn't be doing that as a favor to the people of Buffalo, but for his own convenience.

"I live in New York, and it's easier for me to go to Buffalo than any other place," Trump said. "Where am I going to move it, some place on the other side of the country, where I have to travel for five hours?"

Regardless of the motivation, the end result of a Trump purchase of the Bills would be that they would remain the Buffalo Bills.

Trump apparently can afford to buy the team.  Per Graham, Forbes estimates that Trump is worth $3.9 billion.  Graham reports that but "sources close to [Trump] claim he's worth almost three times that."

It sounds like the source close to Trump is Trump himself, because that sounds like something Trump would say.  Whether it's $3.9 billion or $11.7 billion, he can afford it.  The real question is whether he can get enough votes to approve his entry into one of the most exclusive clubs in the world.

[KidFlash]

I still think this is a world-class pile of BS. Does he have any liquid assets or is it all tied up in NYC real estate? If it is, he'd have to sell quite a lot of it to pony up the cash. If you'd seen that USFL doc, that alone should fire off red flags. 

[Bob]

Waste-of-space Trump wants his name on TV...........he knows he could not buy a burger without failing.

And, since the draft is coming soon, you all are welcome to my house in Houston for the three day draft BBQ-BOOZE festival.  Bring your own toothbrush though.

[RVR II]

Sherman: Show me the money
Updated: April 24, 2014, 12:04 PM ET
ESPN

Richard Sherman Contract Talks Ongoing

Richard Sherman feels that the best way the Seattle Seahawks could show him their appreciation would be by showing him the money.
"Whatever they feel I am due. I will take it as respect," Sherman told NFL Network. "It's all about respect in this game, and the only way people show respect is the dollars. We'll see what happens."

Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty ImagesPro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman is looking to secure a big contract from the Seahawks.

Contract negotiations between the Seahawks and the Pro Bowl cornerback are ongoing, but a source directly involved in the talks has told ESPN's Ed Werder that the sides are not as close as some reports have indicated.

Sherman is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to make $1.4 million this season. There is no timetable for the sides to reach an agreement, but it is clearly a team priority to secure both Sherman and safety Earl Thomas to long-term deals.

Sherman, 26, could command a salary larger than the recent deal awarded to Darrelle Revis, who will make about $12 million with the New England Patriots.

Considered by many as the game's top player at his position, Sherman had 18 pass deflections and eight interceptions last season. His most memorable moment came in the final minute of the NFC title game against the San Francisco 49ers, when he knocked the ball away from wide receiver Michael Crabtree and into the arms of linebacker Malcolm Smith for an interception that sealed the Seahawks' second-ever trip to the Super Bowl.

[Bob]

14 more days until 3 day BBQ/Beer/draft fest begins at my house.

Pack now to arrive in Houston in time you all.

[RVR II]

Aw man no more 'Jigle Tests'?? 

The insane, demeaning life of an NFL cheerleader

April 27, 2014 | 4:49am
Modal Trigger
The insane, demeaning life of an NFL cheerleader
Buffalo Bills cheerleader Alyssa U

Five Buffalo Bills cheerleaders filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming wage violations, uncompensated costs, and a litany of demeaning work conditions as members of the squad.

As members of the Buffalo Jills organization — which quickly suspended all operations in the wake of the litigation — cheerleaders were subject to a weekly "jiggle test" to assess every inch of their body and given a list of rules including how to wash their "intimate areas," the suit claims.

And while the team pulls in about $256 million in annual revenue, the five Jills maxed out at $1,800 — and as low as $105 — in a single season, the lawsuit claims.

Alyssa U., 23, a West Falls, NY native and member of the 2012-2013 Jills, talked to The Post's Gary Buiso about the out-of-bounds treatment she says she endured while cheering for the team she still loves.

Here's her story:

I have always been a huge Buffalo Bills fan and it was always a dream of mine, since I was a little girl, to be a Buffalo Jill. I have danced my entire life and have also been a Zumba instructor for the past six years, so this was a huge accomplishment for me. What I had hoped was that it would open many doors, for this to be an experience of a lifetime.

But soon after joining I realized that it wasn't what I expected — basically when I first saw the contract.

There were things in there that made you think, "Really?" Do they really think we don't know this stuff? Just getting down to ridiculous detail about how we needed to act and talk and walk and dress.

'She had us do jumping jacks in front of her to see what parts of our bodies were jiggling.'
- Alyssa U.
For instance, how much bread to eat at a formal dinner, how our nails needed to be clear polish or manicured, our hair done a certain way — this was not only when we were working and in uniform, but in our personal life as well. We were instructed on how to act off the field. And it got pretty gritty too — how to wash intimate areas.

From the Jills' Etiquette for Formal Dining, for instance, for soup, it states: "Dip the spoon into the soup moving it away from your body until it is about two thirds full, then sip the liquid without slurping from the side of the spoon without inserting the whole spoon in your mouth." [Laughs] Hearing myself say it just sounds ridiculous.

I was taken back by it all. It's degrading. It's embarrassing to even talk about.

They would monitor things like our Facebook pages. When we first made the team they would go over things like, how we weren't allowed to post selfies, or we weren't allowed to post pictures of us partying, or anything like that — which is understandable.

But how they went about it was definitely wrong. They ended up taking photos from these girls' Facebook that they thought were inappropriate, and putting up a slideshow in front of all of our peers. Their way of informing us what to do and how to act, and things to post and not post was to embarrass us and publicly display these pictures of what not to do.

They had a physique evaluation, which took place one week prior to the game for that week. We had to stand in front of our coach in our uniform in rows of five as she stood before us with a clipboard and had us face forward as she reviewed our bodies.

We turned around, had her look at our backside, and then turn forward again and she had us do jumping jacks in front of her to see what parts of our bodies were jiggling. That's where it got it's name — the Jiggle Test.

'There were four seats to a golf cart — basically four men. So where was this Jill to sit? Well, in the golfer's lap.'
- Alyssa U.
The next day, you receive an email which was categorized by different body parts and let's say, she thought you had a stomach issue for that week, you got a check. If you had two checks, you weren't field ready. If you had three checks, you were benched for the next game.

We understand that there were weight standards — we understood that going in as NFL cheerleaders. But the inconsistency with the physique evaluations was pretty much a mind game. How someone's weight could fluctuate from one week to the next — someone was field ready one week, not the next, and was the week after that, it was very emotional for these girls.

We work very hard to maintain the requirements. We were never weighed on a scale, but it was all about image — how we looked in the uniform. There was no structure to the evaluations, it's all in the control of management.

I had a personal issue with regards to hair. I was told that when we had our field-ready practice (when we had to perform all of our sideline cheer routines in front of management for them to decide if we were ready to go out on the field for our first game), they brought each cheerleader aside to tell them things they needed to work on.

When I was pulled aside, I was told that I was not field ready and would not perform on the field unless I colored my hair. My hair was blonde, but I was told it was not natural looking, and that I needed to go see the Jill's hairstylist who knew "the Jills look" — who also happened to be the coach's best friend. And it wasn't free. You have to pay her, that's not for free — but we got a $5 discount, so it was around $85.

And we weren't paid for any of this. We only got $35 an hour — for a maximum of two hours — for an occasional public appearance. Maybe you got one every three months — it was basically whoever answered that email the fastest is who got that paid appearance, and they were not offered often. Maybe two girls at most per event.

We did charity appearances that we were not getting compensated for — and we were OK with that. But Jills management was getting paid by these charities. We don't understand where that money went, because it didn't go to pay us.

'we had to pay for pretty much everything, including our uniforms, which were $650.'
- Alyssa U.

We had to purchase Jills calendars from our coach — 10 a month — which was $100 that we had to pay her and if we were unable to sell these calendars, then we lost out on that money. If these girls weren't able to front the money every month for these calendars, then they were benched for the next game. That really made us realize that there was some sketchy stuff going on here. But we had to pay for pretty much everything, including our uniforms, which were $650.

There was a golf tournament, a mandatory event. Girls wore their uniforms, however there was a dunk tank at the event on the golf course where girls were in bathing suits.

We had to sign up for different jobs or tasks during the tournament — some had to do the dunk tank, some girls had to be auctioned off. People were bidding for which Jill would ride along with them in the golf cart. basically there were four seats to a golf cart — basically four men. So where was this
Jill to sit? Well, in the golfer's lap. It was very inappropriate.

There were definitely uncomfortable situations where I felt that security should have been offered to us. For instance, there was something called "The Man Show," [at a local casino] where girls had to walk around in their bikinis. And there were men who may have drank a little too much and got a little brave, and were in very close proximity to these ladies.

I definitely thought on numerous occasions about leaving the team early on. My love for cheering for the Bills and performing at the games was too strong. Although it was difficult financially and emotionally I really wanted to finish out the season.

I have never been a quitter. Cheering for the Bills was a life long dream and I felt it was only right to honor my commitment and not let my fellow team mates down.

It's tough when you work so hard for something and have such high expectations. We were there for the Bills. We were there to cheer on the Buffalo Bills. We loved cheering on the field — with the fans, that's what made it a great experience. And we definitely want to see the Jills succeed. I guess that we really hope that there will be more Bills involvement in the future.

We'll be proud when the organization stands on a solid foundation, for the right reason.

[KidFlash]

It's just awful. Thankfully, the reaction on the Bills boards I follow has been mostly pro-women, although there's still a significant "cheerleaders=strippers" portion of the fanbase, if these boards are any indication. Meatheads, I say.

[RVR II]

It's just awful. Thankfully, the reaction on the Bills boards I follow has been mostly pro-women, although there's still a significant "cheerleaders=strippers" portion of the fanbase, if these boards are any indication. Meatheads, I say.

I'm afraid this lawsuit could mean the end of the Jills

[KidFlash]

I really wouldn't have a problem with that. After all, there are a handful of teams without cheerleaders.

[RVR II]

I really wouldn't have a problem with that. After all, there are a handful of teams without cheerleaders.

Well I like watching them 'Jiggle'

[KidFlash]

There's the Internet for such things, y'know?

[RVR II]

There's the Internet for such things, y'know?

Oh yeah

[MartyS (Gromit)]

The fact that they closed down operations seems like an admission of guilt to me.

And cheerleaders for professional teams do seem kind of pointless these days, they don't put them on screen during broadcasts any more, maybe a few seconds here and there.  A crazy mascot for a team gets way more screen time.

And on a far less serious note:  I'd say the jiggle tests as described were counter productive, we want more jiggle, not less!

[KidFlash]

Once again, the Toronto media beats the Buffalo News on a Bills relocation story.

Clause forbids Bills' sale to anyone intent on relocation

The odds of the Buffalo Bills being sold to a Toronto group -- or any group intent on relocating the NFL franchise -- appear remote.

An overlooked clause in the Bills' restrictive non-relocation agreement with Erie County and the state of New York expressly prohibits the sale of the NFL franchise to anyone who intends to relocate the team -- at least before that agreement expires in July 2023.

This proviso might even supersede the one-time out clause in February 2020 that allows the Bills to break their 10-year lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium for a $28.4-million penalty.

The sale clause all along has been in the non-relocation agreement, signed early last year as a sister legal document to the Bills' 10-year lease extension at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

But, much as the last-resort, $400-million punitive-damages penalty in the non-relocation agreement had been grossly misunderstood and misreported until QMI Agency set the record straight last month, so the prohibition of selling the team to a carpet-bagger of sorts has been disregarded until now.

Clause 3(b) in the non-relocation agreement states, in part, that without approval of both the state-appointed public corporation that owns the Ralph and the county in which the stadium sits, the club shall not "sell, assign or otherwise transfer the team to any person who, to the Bills' knowledge, has an intention to relocate, transfer or otherwise move the team ..."

The clause also prevents the team from so much as entertaining, soliciting or negotiating any offer or proposal to relocate the team.

To do otherwise would be in breach of this novel non-relocation agreement between the Bills, the NFL, the state of New York and Erie County.

The rest is worth a read.

[Bob]

At least buffalo has good wings...... Nothing else of course.   But hey, love those wings.