Gold Standard, Tin Cup - Russakoff Rules - Comcast.net Sports

Since everyone is piling on Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb, and the Eagles these days (myself included), maybe it's time to tear into Jeffrey Lurie a little bit.

The man who gave us "The Gold Standard" apparently doesn't have enough money to pay his debts. Or, he just figures he needs $8 million more than the city of Philadelphia does.

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the Eagles have owed the city $8 million since 2001, and are refusing to pay.

According to the Inquirer, the city helped out the Eagles by building sky boxes in the Vet. The city agreed to let the Eagles keep all of the revenue for 15 years, but after that, both entities were supposed to split the money earned from the luxury seating.

That money, $8 million, should have come in 2001. It's seven years later, and the city has yet to see a dime. The city sued the team in 2004 for more than $10 million, including back payments and interest.

The Birds (current value, according to Forbes: $1 billion) maintain that the city caused a canceled exhibition game that led to losses for the team. They apparently feel that the city owes them money, and have countersued. So now that it's in the courts, there's no great hurry to settle up. Let the court costs mount up and sooner or later, they probably figure, the city will cry uncle and walk away.

With the city of Philadelphia running a record deficit, this is an outrage. You can't blame the Eagles for Philly's problems, but you can blame them for welching on a deal that was enormously profitable for the organization.

At a time when Philadelphians across the region are losing their jobs, and the city is closing libraries and other public works programs because of a severe financial shortfall, the 5-5-1 Eagles are making more money than the Philly mint.

Playing hardball with a city that has given the Eagles organization tax break after tax break takes some brass...but denying the city money at a time when it is struggling to stay above water--that's more pathetic than the product the Eagles are putting on the field.

Mr. Lurie, this city has supported your team at every turn and will continue to do so despite the mucky future that lies ahead. It's time you return the "favor" and pay Philadelphia the money it is owed.

Do the Eagles owe anything to Philadelphia? What do you think of the dispute between the city and the team? Sound off here.


Message Edited by Lee_Russakoff on 11-25-2008 01:08 PM