Tap the Cap

Riddle me this, sports’ fans. The NFL just signed a rights’ agreement with the usual broadcast suspects worth a reported $113 billion over eleven seasons. The McCaskeys and their fellow owners would seem to be rolling in the dough, then, right? So, why is there a salary cap? The short answer is because the players allow it. Hence, the salary-cap dance the marks the start of each new calendar year in the NFL. The Bears get rid of cornerback Kyle Fuller and are expected to dump defensive tackle Akiem Hicks to save a projected $21.5 million in salary cap space. The fact that GM Ryan “Searching for Clues” Pace just spent $10 million to sign free-agent quarterback Andy Dalton serves as frosting on an absurd cake. NFL owners laugh their way to the bank or, in the McCaskeys,’ case, stumble there. And the players? Why, they can look forward to getting their collective bells rung, and not just for sixteen games. It looks like this year the regular season will expand to seventeen. Clang-clang goes the trolley, straight to concussion protocol. Last stop, CTE-ville. But, hey, we need the cap to save the game.