NFL Layoffs A Smokescreen?

I certainly understand that the nation's economy is not doing well. If you're a regular reader of 'The Huddle' or its forerunner "Bobby Vs. The World" , you know that the high prices of everything sports, from ticket prices and PSL's to the foolhardy deal the Mets have for the naming rights of 'Citi Field', ticks me off.

Well, the NFL has decided to lay off 150 staff at various locations in the NY/NJ area. That's their right, so they can do it. But here's why I, like Gary Myers of the Daily News, look at this with a 50 pound bag of salt.
1. We're not talking about high priced advertising execs losing their jobs. These are people that probably need their jobs.

2. This doesn't mean that PSL's around the NFL will go down-up to $50.000 for the Jets and Giants, $125,000 for the new palace the Cowboys are building. If that's this case, is there no money for these people to continue working?

3. Do people need to hear this NOW, during Christmas and Hannukah? It's not like an $8.5 billion industry with the highest ad ratings on TV is LOSING money. Any cash the league is losing is profit, and pro football is as close to a cash cow in a crappy economy as there is anywhere.

My take: The NFL's idea of 'losing money' is decreased profit, not operating at a loss. But the league no doubt wanted to look like it was taking a hit like other American industries, and this is their way of identifying with the rest of us.