San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Fined $10k for Defying No Beats Headphones Rule

[AppleScruff1]

The clueless one is you. Nobody begrudges the NFL if they restrict the players when it has something to do with football. They fine players for drinking before a game. Fine. Because drinking effects your game. Etc. But telling a player what they can wear in front of the camera is ridiculous. The deal between the NFL and Bose has nothing to do with the players. If Bose wants the players to wear their gear, Bose should pay the players, like Beats is paying the players. Thats the way business works. Get used to it.

But it's not how it works in the NFL or major sports.

----------

BOSE, you've lost customer interest in your products, so much so that you had to have a competitor banned so only your crap can get shown. Pathetic you.

You don't get it.

----------

This thread reinforces the nerd/jock stereotype like no other. It's quite comical the responses some of us are giving. The funnier thing, most of the heartache is less about the players or Beats. It's about an Apple property being deprived.

It's pretty simple. Collective bargaining covers everything we're discussing. Collective, as in the NFLPA and the NFL mutually agreed to the rules covering everything from salary and player conduct to endorsements and uniform requirements. It also covers a whole host of other things, including fines for breaking the rules in the NFL.

Joining the NFL means joining the NFL union, which means agreeing to the CBA. There is no violation of rights, of ancillary (endorsement) contracts, or any other issue we can come up with.

Beats can do nothing. Apple can do nothing. It is what it is. Players like Steve Smith Sr. and Chris Johnson endorse Powerade. On that sideline and at that podium, they may actually drink Powerade but it will be in a Gatorade cup or Gatorade bottle. Just like they can continue to wear Beats but must cover the logo when representing the NFL. When they represent themselves they can wear whatever they like.

Just like your job has governance over a certain portion of your time, their job does as well. Moreover they agree to it as part of being in the NFL.

That concept is unfortunately beyond the understanding of many in this thread.

 

[Flight Plan]

I still think the NFL could have avoided this mess by giving a grace period for compliance. Equal to the length of each player's current contract with any non-compliant brand.

Maybe not required of the NFL, but this would have been the decent thing to do, and would not have left so many openings for the league to be openly dissed and mocked (which is precisely what is happening with these transgressions).

 

[AppleScruff1]

So because they joined the NFL, they have no fundamental right? I understand your points about contracts. But what you don't understand is that contracts are not absolute, and certain contracts are null and void because they conflict with your rights. This happens to be one of it.

Please provide a link to to the contracts between the players union and the NFL owners, the collective bargaining agreement, the contracts between the players and their respective teams, the contracts between the players concerning their personal endorsement deals, etc.

 

[InfoTime]

Beats may have had contracts with the players beforehand. Why would the nfl get payment and not the players getting anything out of the deal.

Because the NFL "owns the company".

You still don't get it. Whats covered in the CBA is not inclusive of all the rights players have. The CBA is just a contract. Contracts are NOT all powerful and all inclusive. Some contracts can be voided. A contract that says that a player can't represent their own headphone brand during their own time is voidable even if its not in the CBA. The NFL can claim that TV interview time their time, and not the player's time, but they'd still be wrong.
edit: If a player wanted to, they can rightly claim freedom of speech. What do you think supersedes what? Freedom of speech or a contract?

Being interviewed by the media is not the players own time. That interview room is a tightly controlled environment. I guess you think he should be free to wear a T-shirt with a great big Wrangler logo on it too???

 

[AppleScruff1]

What are these rights you talk about? I think it may be you who doesn't understand. Players collectively bargain for the things they want and what they will accept. This is one of those things. It's not new. The NFL has had this right for a number of years. If they players disagreed with it they could have made it a point of contention in their negotiations. They never have.

Please don't bring logic and facts into the discussion. Many can't deal with them.

 

[InfoTime]

You can add your response to the clueless list. When the marketing benefits the opposition as much as the brand that's being advertised it might be time to re-evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign.

There's nothing wrong with Bose's marketing here. They set up an exclusive sponsorship arrangement with the NFL. Similar to what Motorola had in the past. It's Beats that is benefitting because they're taking a big FU attitude to Bose and the NFL.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I'm not sure if the NFL realizes this, but it's kind of a big deal when players get fined. ESPN and everyone else starts talking about it. This is bringing massive amounts of attention to Beats, makes the NFL look bad by associating them with fining a player for showing support for breast cancer awareness, and makes people notice even more when players wear the headphones. This almost seems like a clever ploy by Beats and the NFL to promote Beats over competing brands because their players are willing to pay $10K fines just to wear them in public every day. You don't get a bigger endorsement than that. The NFL is clueless, lol.

I'll bet the only people in an uproar are on Apple forums.

----------

No he can not. But he can wear Beats and cover the logo. He doesn't have to put a Bose sticker on the them. Players aren't mandated to wear Bose. He could have put a pink ribbon sticker over the 'b' and nothing would have been said. They are just prohibited from displaying logos of competition of their official sponsors. You can drink Powerade in an interview as long as it's in a Gatorade container or a nondescript container.

This has become like arguing with kids in Jr. High. They just don't get it.

 

[69Mustang]

Please provide a link to to the contracts between the players union and the NFL owners, the collective bargaining agreement, the contracts between the players and their respective teams, the contracts between the players concerning their personal endorsement deals, etc.

It won't help Scruff. I even pointed out the relevant section in the CBA for him but it did not one iota of good. Judas is a constitutional law scholar and nothing we say is going to move him from "rights". If you didn't know, rights is an all encompassing word that quells all arguments to the contrary. I told him this:
"... The NFL CBA is readily available online. It's a huge document so I will save you some time and point you to the relevant section: Article 51, Sections 1 & 2 cover Endorsements and Attire. If you choose to look, most relevant for you would be Section 2(b), which covers the issue we're discussing. It's on page 215 of the CBA, but actually on page 232 of the searchable .pdf"

He told me I just didn't understand that players have rights <--- there's that word again.

 

[AppleScruff1]

It won't help Scruff. I even pointed out the relevant section in the CBA for him but it did not one iota of good. Judas is a constitutional law scholar and nothing we say is going to move him from "rights". If you didn't know, rights is an all encompassing word that quells all arguments to the contrary. I told him this:
"... The NFL CBA is readily available online. It's a huge document so I will save you some time and point you to the relevant section: Article 51, Sections 1 & 2 cover Endorsements and Attire. If you choose to look, most relevant for you would be Section 2(b), which covers the issue we're discussing. It's on page 215 of the CBA, but actually on page 232 of the searchable .pdf"

He told me I just didn't understand that players have rights <--- there's that word again.

So it's all about freedom of speech now? Wow. So a player can wear a t shirt that says support your local sex offender at a post game interview since the Constitution gives him that right?

 

[69Mustang]

I'll bet the only people in an uproar are on Apple forums.

----------



This has become like arguing with kids in Jr. High. They just don't get it.

So true. So true. My wife is laughing at me. She doesn't understand why I continue to post on this subject. I didn't have the nerve to tell her that I rarely get a chance to be right at home so I have to take advantage of being right on the internet. At home, even when I'm right I'm wrong. Uh oh. Dammit! She read the post over my shoulder. Now I'm trouble. Oh well, even though the couch blanket smells like the dog, I've had enough beer watching the game so it won't matter.

 

[Judas1]

Please provide a link to to the contracts between the players union and the NFL owners, the collective bargaining agreement, the contracts between the players and their respective teams, the contracts between the players concerning their personal endorsement deals, etc.

I am saying that contracts are just contracts, agreements between parties. They are not absolute and fundamental rights are not relinquished. So you want me to state specifics of their contract when I keep saying that they don't don't mean squat compared to individual rights? Maybe you should give me some contract specifics and explain why they supersede everything else. That makes more sense.

 

[blacksurfer]

Remember when Samsung wouldn't let athletes show the apple logo on their phones and tablets in the parade of Nations at the Olympics?! Same thing...LOL

 

[AppleScruff1]

So true. So true. My wife is laughing at me. She doesn't understand why I continue to post on this subject. I didn't have the nerve to tell her that I rarely get a chance to be right at home so I have to take advantage of being right on the internet. At home, even when I'm right I'm wrong. Uh oh. Dammit! She read the post over my shoulder. Now I'm trouble. Oh well, even though the couch blanket smells like the dog, I've had enough beer watching the game so it won't matter.

Mine asked me why I was laughing and what was I arguing about this time. I think there are a few teens participating in this thread and they truly do not understand.

----------

Remember when Samsung wouldn't let athletes show the apple logo on their phones and tablets in the parade of Nations at the Olympics?! Same thing...LOL

No it wasn't.

 

[InfoTime]

the day before this advertising deal between NFL & Bose was announced, BEATS sent the entire Ravens organization Beats Headphones. and the players went to Twitter to thank Beats.

If I were a Bose fanboi and skilled at creating parody videos for Youtube I'd be whipping up something with Ray Rice and how much he likes to Beats his women. Get consumers to make the connections. Some NFL players are domestic abusers. NFL players like the Beats brand. They like to Beats their wives. You've tarnished the brand.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I am saying that contracts are just contracts, agreements between parties. They are not absolute and fundamental rights are not relinquished. So you want me to state specifics of their contract when I keep saying that they don't don't mean squat compared to individual rights? Maybe you should give me some contract specifics and explain why they supersede everything else. That makes more sense.

It doesn't matter, you just don't understand it.

 

[Judas1]

So true. So true. My wife is laughing at me. She doesn't understand why I continue to post on this subject. I didn't have the nerve to tell her that I rarely get a chance to be right at home so I have to take advantage of being right on the internet. At home, even when I'm right I'm wrong. Uh oh. Dammit! She read the post over my shoulder. Now I'm trouble. Oh well, even though the couch blanket smells like the dog, I've had enough beer watching the game so it won't matter.

You don't understand anything because I'm assuming you're cozy with the rights you current have. Just because the NFL have their rules and it been that way for a while doesn't make it RIGHT. Currently, the edit(NCAA's) rules which have been around for a while is under scrutiny. Its currently okay for them to use college students to make million while paying them squat. But I guess because thats the way it is its right, and we shouldn't question it.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Why even allow something like this? I think he should be able to use what he wants to use. I won't comment on the poor quality of Beats headphones, but if he likes them, why not allow him to use them?

If you want to advertise Bose, a few signs, and ads during games are enough. Don't force the individual HUMAN BEINGS into doing something or using something etc that they don't want to.

The NFL signed an exclusive agreement. I’d like to see Apple/Beats step up and pay the fines. Despite the agreement, Beats is getting a LOT of free publicity out of this.

 

[Judas1]

It doesn't matter, you just don't understand it.

Don't understand what? The difference between fundamental rights and contractual obligations? Maybe you don't understand the difference between the two.

 

[AZhappyjack]

You don't understand anything because I'm assuming you're cozy with the rights you current have. Just because the NFL have their rules and it been that way for a while doesn't make it RIGHT. Currently, the NAACP's rules which have been around for a while is under scrutiny. Its currently okay for them to use college students to make million while paying them squat. But I guess because thats the way it is its right, and we shouldn't question it.

Um, you do realize that the NAACP is an civil rights organization - National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, right?

I assume you meant the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

It’s actually funnier they way you told it, though.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Don't understand what? The difference between fundamental rights and contractual obligations? Maybe you don't understand the difference between the two.

I understand the topic being discussed just fine. believe what you want.

 

[Judas1]

Um, you do realize that the NAACP is an civil rights organization - National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, right?

I assume you meant the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

It’s actually funnier they way you told it, though.

Thanks. edited.

----------

I understand the topic being discussed just fine. believe what you want.

The argument I have is the NFL CANNOT unilateral tell a player what headphone they can or cannot wear during an interview, despite any contract they have with the player. This is clearly an issue of the power of contracts over individual rights, which is how I am framing it. What exactly are you seeing here?

 

[PadreQuevedo]

It's cheaper for Apple to pay the fines.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Thanks. edited.

----------


The argument I have is the NFL CANNOT unilateral tell a player what headphone they can or cannot wear during an interview, despite any contract they have with the player. This is clearly an issue of the power of contracts over individual rights, which is how I am framing it. What exactly are you seeing here?

No offense, but it's pointless to discuss it further.

 

[69Mustang]

I am saying that contracts are just contracts, agreements between parties. They are not absolute and fundamental rights are not relinquished. So you want me to state specifics of their contract when I keep saying that they don't don't mean squat compared to individual rights? Maybe you should give me some contract specifics and explain why they supersede everything else. That makes more sense.

Would this work? Article 51, Section 2(b). NFL CBA
(b) On game days, prior to the game and continuing until 90 minutes after the whistle ending each game (preseason or regular season), as well as at any Club's official mandatory minicamp(s), official preseason training camp, and all Club practice sessions, players: (i) shall wear any uniforms and/or related items (e.g., practice jerseys) required by the NFL or Club (regardless of any third party branding that may appear on such uniforms and/or related items as may be determined by the NFL or Club), provided that no individual player and/or discrete group of players will be required to wear attire with third-party branding that is different from the branding on the attire of other players and further provided that no third-party sponsor will depict any player in advertising or promotional materials in a manner that constitutes an "Endorsement" as defined in Paragraph 4(a) of the Player Contract absent consent from the player; and (ii) will be prohibited from wearing, displaying, or orally promoting equipment, apparel, or other items that carry commercial names or logos of companies in any televised interview on Club premises, unless such commercial identification has been approved in advance by the League office.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Would this work? Article 51, Section 2(b). NFL CBA
(b) On game days, prior to the game and continuing until 90 minutes after the whistle ending each game (preseason or regular season), as well as at any Club's official mandatory minicamp(s), official preseason training camp, and all Club practice sessions, players: (i) shall wear any uniforms and/or related items (e.g., practice jerseys) required by the NFL or Club (regardless of any third party branding that may appear on such uniforms and/or related items as may be determined by the NFL or Club), provided that no individual player and/or discrete group of players will be required to wear attire with third-party branding that is different from the branding on the attire of other players and further provided that no third-party sponsor will depict any player in advertising or promotional materials in a manner that constitutes an "Endorsement" as defined in Paragraph 4(a) of the Player Contract absent consent from the player; and (ii) will be prohibited from wearing, displaying, or orally promoting equipment, apparel, or other items that carry commercial names or logos of companies in any televised interview on Club premises, unless such commercial identification has been approved in advance by the League office.

But the NFL has no right to tell the players what to do. It violates their freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. I don't even understand why they have contracts since they are unconstitutional. Players can do whatever they want, especially if it is something that concerns Apple.


Disclaimer: This post is intended to be humorous.