Lurie and Banner address Eagles fans
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Lurie and Banner address Eagles fans
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Hours after the NFL confirmed that it had indeed locked out its players, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and team president Joe Banner issued a public letter to their fans expressing confidence that a there will eventually be a new collective bargaining agreement and a 2011 season. Here is the letter in its entirety: "In light of the events that occurred yesterday, we wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the status of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and how it affects the Philadelphia Eagles. As we are sure you are aware, the contract between the league and the labor union representing the players has expired, the union decertified and we have entered into a lockout. "However, the NFL remains committed to collective bargaining and the federal mediation process until an agreement is reached – an agreement that is good for the long-term health of the league. We believe that a deal will get done and we fully expect football to be played in 2011. "We want you to know our focus is on preparation for the 2011 season and we are going to continue to do everything we can to strengthen our football team. We will be ready to take advantage of all opportunities within league rules to help reach our ultimate goal. We are also excited about the upcoming 2011 draft on April 28-30 and our preparation for that has been in the works for a long time. "Regardless of what transpires throughout this offseason, our commitment to winning a Super Bowl remains the number one priority throughout our entire organization. We are also committed to keeping an open line of communication with you and our entire fan base throughout these labor discussions. We plan on hosting several events throughout the off season that our fans can enjoy. Our annual Draft Party will take place on April 28 at Lincoln Financial Field. "We greatly appreciate your continued support." Sincerely,
Jeffrey Lurie and Joe Banner
This is the first thing I've read that makes me think a 2011 season won't happen.— thefadd- Give me my money back! I"ll send it in when the strike is over. I am not giving you an interest free loan when I don't know how many games I will get to see or what the quality of the players on the field will be or the degree of their preparation.
- yeaaah kk will still be here..maybe i can catch his balls..— wolf 4
- The two losers who will never win a Super Bowl and who sign the Dog Killer. They should be ashamed of themselves. Hope some the walk away from the game! They losers can't run a team!— MRD
- Jeffrey and Joe please go back to Boston because we don't respect you— shawnmac
- Jeff Lurie Quote - "We want to win as many Superbowls as possible."— Voytas
- The NFL stands to lose too much money with a lockout. Something will pan out before summer starts because these people put the almighty dollar above everything else, especially the fans.— Kanayd
- sad - for the fans...— M60tanker
- This coming from a guy who built a $20 million house and his wife won't even let him walk through the front door. Mr. Lurie, you make me sick to call myself a fan of this game. I hope you contract a venereal disease that makes it inbearable to pee as soon as humanly possible. Take your money, take your stupid letter, and go crawl into a mice-infested hole
- The thing that burns me is everyone talks about the players and the owners. But nobody ever talks about how both sides are screwing the fans. The fans that buy season tickets, the jerseys, etc. We get hosed again.— MIke Shannahan
- Mike, no one is holding a gun to your head and making you go to the games and buy the jerseys.— joranan
- Alright! Lurie and Banner are my favorite Eagles. I can never get enough of them. I love watching them own and president on TV every fall. I have an authentic NFL replica Lurie necktie, a pair of authentic Banner nerd glasses and a replica 18 room mansion with miniature bowling alley, golf course, and indoor tennis court. There is even a mini Jeff and Christina. They should make those things, they would fly off the shelves. I'm sure I'm not the only one overcome by fanatical passion to watch Lurie own and Banner president. They are such savvy businessmen.— jtj06
- I thought Braman was a bad owner,this is
has to be the top of the list.— frank martino - Overall, looks to me like the owners met the players way more than halfway, but players were determined to walk away. Since when do the employees dictate to the owners how much of their fincial information they are required to disclose. Only in the NFL. Players feel owners are disrespecting them, fact is both the owners and players are disrespecting the fans who pay the freight even in a bad economy. They are ALL losers.— Z-Force
- Maybe a little too much hypocrisy for my taste. Although a social liberal in many cases, Jeff Lurie and the rest of the NFL owners are acting like the old TSARs of Russia when it comes to their serfs...lets just reminded that Owners not players chose to shorten the old CBA. Joe Banner is just a manifestation of the greedy side of Lurie's full persona.— Smashmouth
