 Earlier this month a collaboration of current and former NFL insiders launched a new web site, The National Football Post. Led by Andrew Brandt, vice president of the Green Bay Packers from 1999-2008, the site plans to be a leading resource for NFL business news and statistical analysis while also drawing upon their past experiences and ongoing industry relations to explain topical events. In addition to Brandt, the staff of The National Football Post includes agents, league executives, players, and broadcast industry executives. The site's collection of insiders is an intriguing blend designed to meld traditional news and analysis with an experienced front office perspective. Joining Brandt at The National Football Post is Michael Lombardi. Lombardi has 23 years of experience in the NFL, most notably running the personnel departments for the Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders. Current player agent Jack Bechta is also on board. In addition to his current client list, Bechta has served as an executive producer of "Super Agent,” a sports-focused reality TV show made in conjunction with Universal Studios and Spike TV. Retired NFL safety Matt Bowen, who played on four teams from 2000-2006 and has become a journalist in his post-playing career, is also among the initial staff. Currently writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, he has also written for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Washington Times, the Washington Examiner, Pro Football Weekly, The Niagara Gazette, The Daily Iowan, and at BuffaloBills.com. Joe Fortenbaugh, who has diverse legal training, has served as a player agent, handled professional team operations, and worked in mediation and arbitration cases. Fortenbaugh will cover fantasy football while also providing legal counsel, statistical research, and ongoing business development services for the web site. Despite 2007 revenues exceeding $7 billion, there are numerous issues the league is confronting. In May, the owners voted unanimously to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement. If a new agreement is not reached in time, the 2010 season will be played without a salary cap and there is the risk of a work stoppage beyond then. As is common in sports leagues with a salary cap, the most contentious issue between the players and the owners centers around how much money should be allocated to player salaries. In addition to this, there are concerns among owners that ongoing stadium development efforts, designed to generate additional franchise revenues, are putting smaller market teams at a competitive disadvantage. With its staff experiences and industry relations, The National Football Post is uniquely positioned to cover football business issues like these in a manner unlike any other resource. We had a chance to speak with Andrew Brandt, founding president of The National Football Post, to discuss his plans for the site and get his insights on how the current NFL landscape will likely impact the league in the coming months. Select Read More to read the interview with Andrew Brandt
Maury Brown for the Business of Sports Network: What was attractive about the move to The National Football Post?  Andrew Brandt: After leaving the Packers, I stepped back and considered some options. I noticed a void in the information marketplace for a place where experienced NFL insiders could, congregated in one setting, provide unique and previously-unavailable insight into what goes on in the country's most popular sport. I wanted it to be a Wall Street Journal type site for the NFL, with perspectives ranging from business and operational to evaluation and coaching to that of former players and agents. Hopefully we are doing that.
Bizball: Given that the Packers are publicly owned, and your former position within the front office in Green Bay, what insight does that bring to those that will be looking at The National Football Post? Brandt: I was fortunate to be a steward for the public trust called the Green Bay Packers. With our truly unique structure, I had a lot of autonomy -- and pressure -- to manage the most important expense of the organization: player costs. I always tried to look at things as what would be in the best interests of our owners - the fans. At the National Football Post, I am trying to provide consumers of football topics and perspectives that I feel would be of great interest to them. Bizball: Using a current situation that greatly impacts the league, what kind analysis do you foresee The National Football Post covering with the owners opting out of the CBA? Brandt: I will try to provide a voice about the key issues and maneuvering for this negotiation, which is to be the most important collective bargaining negotiation in the league's history. The NFL is big business with revenues over $7 billion and it is always interesting to me how that $7 billion is split between management and labor. I have been on both sides and will try to provide perspective from both the teams' side and the players' side. One thing I never lost sight of with the Packers is that the players are the product and we always need to keep that in mind.  Bizball: Does the possible impending departure of Gene Upshaw from the NFLPA add any uncertainty to labor negotiations in the near-term for the NFL?
Brandt: Gene will be the dominant voice for the union through this negotiation; there is little doubt about that. Beyond that, there may be some changes in the leadership there, but not before there is resolution of this important collective bargaining process. Bizball: There has been more statistical analysis being used on NFL football as of late. The Pro Football Prospectus is one annual publication that deals extensively with this. Will the National Football Post provide any looks at statistical analysis? Brandt: Every team and every evaluator in the NFL is looking for an edge, and statistical analysis can provide that edge. At the Packers, we had a "coach" who spent his entire time working on this kind of analysis. Every team is now doing the same. It is a necessary tool to keep up and hopefully surpass the competition. We will have that. Bizball: From a front office perspective, do you see markets such as Buffalo at risk for relocation?  Brandt: This relates to the entire discussion of the collective bargaining process and its related negotiation: revenue-sharing amongst the teams. The deal with the union has to have some relation to the deal amongst the owners. Right now some teams are grossing close to $300 million in revenues, while others are barely half of that. If teams are paying players an average of $110 million per team, that represents a huge chunk of revenues for some teams but not others. Time will tell if that problem is solved, obviating the need for any team to think about relocation.
Bizball: What type of "insider" areas do you see The National Football Post covering the most? Brandt: Instead of reading about situations that teams, players and agents face on a daily basis, we will be explaining how we have dealt with those situations, using real-life examples gleaned from experience. We have evaluated all the players in the NFL, we have dealt with all the contract and Cap matters teams face, we have seen it from all sides. We will maintain our relationships with the league and teams and not divulge confidential secrets but we will entice fans with our real-world stories. Bizball: While you have just launched The National Football Post, what are some longer term objectives for organization? Brandt: To be the "go-to" site for football fans of all ages and interest levels for unique insight, fantasy content, and information that has been previously unavailable. The initial response has been quite positive; we look forward to keeping it up!
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So, Maury when do you start contributing for them? Given your strong background, you would seem a perfect fit.