By Simon Evans
MIAMI (Reuters) - The worst fears of NFL fans were confirmed Saturday when America's most successful sports league announced a lockout which threatens the 2011 season.
Up until now, the NFL has been a recession-proof cash-cow, bringing in an annual nine billion dollars in revenue, based largely around lucrative television contracts.
The ability to attract television viewers, and the advertising dollars that follow, at a time when diversification is making it hard for most programing to attract mass audiences has been key for the NFL.
All of the U.S's major league sports, except the NFL, have been through work stoppages in the past two decades and all of them paid some sort of price for their squabbling.
Prior to last month's Super Bowl in Dallas, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell warned that his league would not escape the negative side-effects of a damaging dispute.
"No, I do not think we are immune to that. I have said repeatedly that the fans want football and if we are not successful in reaching an agreement that (backlash) will be toward the commissioner, toward the clubs, toward the players, toward everyone involved," he said.
The backlash has certainly begun in the media where there is evident frustration at the breakdown in talks.
Writing for Sports Illustrated, Don Banks said he was tired of hearing the mantra from both sides in the dispute that they had worked toward a compromise.
"Blah, blah, blah. We know none of that is really true. Both sides in this league-versus-players stand-off only did what they wanted to do and what they were willing to do. Nothing more.
"The rest is just spin and trying to keep the upper hand in the public relations battle. And the blame game is beyond tiresome at this point," he said.
Fan fury has been vented online where opinion is divided over who is to blame but frustration is the most common emotion.
"Can all of you guys work something out! I can't live without football," wrote one fan on the website Pro Football Talk.
Some fans are getting organised -- the group Sports Fans Coalition, has set up a website 'Save Next Season' where a petition has been demanding a voice for fans in the dispute.
"This labor dispute doesn't pit owners against players. It pits owners and players against fans. And it's up to us to stand up for ourselves.
"Otherwise, the owners and players will make sure only their interests are taken care of no matter what the cost," said Brian Frederick, executive director of the Coalition.
It remains to be seen how much the dispute will impact on season ticket sales and sponsorship deals.
Former quarterback Trent Dilfer, now a television analyst, believes it will require some pain before a compromise is finally reached.
"I wasn't hopeful for a deal," he told the New York Times.
"Total panic was going to have to set in before a deal was done. And I don't just mean with players and owners, but the media, Congress.
"Not until total panic sets in will a deal get done."
(Editing by Martyn Herman)
