Since we live in a society that venerates the present, the better to convince itself that these indeed are the glory days, it's risky business to make "best-ever" proclamations about anything. The concept of history in this TiVo world is reduced to what was served for lunch yesterday, the better to avoid comparisons with things that might just be superior to what we have today.
Face it, life inflation is everywhere. Music critics give four stars to bands that won't be around in five years, much less remembered in 30. If they get top ratings, what do the Beatles deserve?
The other day, a writer for a relatively popular website posted that Duke's streak of nine straight Sweet 16 appearances is on a par with UCLA's 10 national titles from 1964-75. Yeah, and the Eagles' four consecutive NFC title game appearances trumps Pittsburgh's four Super Bowl wins in a six-year span of the '70s. And the Braves' 14 NL East crowns in a row are more impressive than the Yankees' 16 Series wins from '36-62.
If it's happening today, it has to be the best, doesn't it?
With that said, El Hombre is risking ridicule (when isn't he?) from those who have actually cracked open a history text by anointing Paul Tagliabue as the Greatest Commissioner in Sports History. That's right, better than Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Better than David Stern.
And better than Pete Rozelle.
That's right, the tall, boring Tagliabue has surpassed Polished Pete as the best of the best. And that's saying something. You'll recall (perhaps) that it was Rozelle who convinced Wellington Mara to give up a fat New York TV contract in favor of a league-wide deal that split revenues evenly among the league's teams. Instead of letting the Giants thrive while the Packers tried to get beans from local Green Bay stations, Rozelle imposed a socialistic system that would have made Friedrich Engels proud.
By doing so, Rozelle standardized revenue streams and allowed all clubs to work on an even ledger, at least financially. As for the front offices, they were still encouraged to succeed on their own, a concept that Pittsburgh didn't get right until the '70s. It was a landmark compromise and owed as much to Rozelle's silver tongue as to Mara's largesse and team play.
The other monumental accomplishment on Rozelle's resume is the NFL-AFL merger and the creation of the Super Bowl. By expanding the league to 26 teams and creating the ultimate championship game, Rozelle gave the NFL the platform from which it could experience tremendous growth and success, while quashing the bidding wars that were crippling both sides. Yep, he was something, that Pete Rozelle.
But Tagliabue was better. Not because of expansion, although four teams joined the fray during his tenure. And not because of the Super Bowl's popularity, although the thing gets bigger with every subsequent Roman-numeraled edition.
Tagliabue gets the nod because of his ability to broker a long-term labor peace at a time when the relationship between players and owners is among the most volatile in sports –- and all of business, for that matter. Wednesday, GM offered buyouts to each of its union employees, in a drastic attempt to cut labor costs. Meanwhile, the NFL just upped its salary cap $10 million, a move that will mean more money for its players, who are undoubtedly happy. In fact, it almost looks like Gene Upshaw fleeced the league's ownership contingent.
Even if he did, it was Tagliabue who convinced owners that it was OK. And that is huge. In fact, it ranks among one of the most important sporting accomplishments in recent memory. Think about it: In a climate where egos and greed run amok –- and that's just the players –- getting anybody to compromise on the profit margin is a remarkable feat.
Tagliabue's leadership and salesmanship brought new-jack types together with more moderate constituencies to create a deal that will continue to make money for the teams (and increase franchise values) while still reserving the all-for-one mentality that has allowed the NFL to thrive like no other league.
