Tennesse Titans owner Bud Adams guarantees 2011 NFL season
Bud Adams, owner of the Tennessee Titans National Football League (NFL) team, has guaranteed that there will be a 2011 NFL season.
Adams was presented with the T.J. Martell Foundation’s lifetime humanitarian award by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a ceremony on Monday night. Adams later told reporters, "It's going to be a few months here, but we'll be playing this year. I guarantee
we'll be playing."
Adams was then asked about what message he wished to convey to fans, who are tired of the endless discussions over the labour deal, and just want to watch football. Adams replied by saying that he is one of those fans.
He added, "It's one of those things that they haven't been very (much) wanting to work out a deal with us, but we'll be playing football this year. I'll tell you that for sure."
Adams was the founder of the Houston Oilers franchise way back in 1960. The 88-year-old also took part in the NFL-American Football League (AFL) merger and then shifted the team from Houston to Tennessee in 1997.
NFL Commissioner Goodell said that fans should have no issue in purchasing season tickets because the league is doing everything in its power to make sure that the 2011 NFL season takes place. He has not spoken with NFL Players Association (NFLPA) executive
director DeMaurice Smith but says that getting back to negotiations is the best and fastest way to reach a new deal.
Goodell also confirmed that the NFL is willing to negotiate before the court hearing scheduled for 6 April. The hearing concerns a federal antitrust lawsuit filed against the league by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Peyton Manning, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and six other professional football players in the NFL.
Goodell said, "The reality is you know how important this game is to our fans and to the players and coaches and the clubs, and you want to make sure that you do this right. You want to make sure we address the issues that are necessary and to get the right
agreement. You want both sides to feel they have an agreement that they can live with."
The lawsuit is scheduled to be heard in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 6 April by United States District Judge Susan Richard Nelson.
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