Pro Football HOFer Dan Marino, Miami’s favorite adopted son, took the stage yesterday afternoon for a featured interview at SportsBusiness Journal/SportsBusiness Daily’s IMG World Congress of Sports, where the current CBS NFL analyst discussed his playing career, his brief stint as a movie star, his efforts as a philanthropist and, of course, the NFL labor situation. The following is a portion of the Q&A.
Q: The biggest story is the NFL lockout. What are your thoughts on that?
Marino: I wish that both sides at the table -- the money the league is making, the owners are making -- would be able to work something out. I hope they don’t cancel games, because I would have a job. If they don’t (reach a deal), then I’m not going to be working either.
Q: A big question is player solidarity. How tough will it be for them to keep together on this?
Marino: Because of history, they’ll learn from the past. But when you start missing games, and you start losing paychecks, that could change a lot.
Q: When you were playing, were there times you knew were off the record?
Marino: Back then, we had relationships with some reporters. Now guys have to be a little more careful. Texting, tweeting, Facebook -- you have to be careful.
Q: How would it be different if you played in the NFL now?
Marino: My bank account would be a lot bigger.
Q: A lot of talk on player safety and concussions. Talk about that.
Marino: It’s a serious problem, I think, as players get older and you see the effect it has on them. I think the league is doing a good job. ... The thing Roger (Goodell) has done well is add the sideline testing.
Q: Do you still have Isotoner gloves?
Marino: I don’t. But that’s marketing! A guy from South Florida selling gloves.
Q: The best-run organization in the NFL?
Marino: They’re all pretty well run. If you look at winning and stability, I’d have to say Pittsburgh. The Rooney family has done a great job with them.
Q: Is team management something you’d consider?
Marino: It’s something I would think about doing again. Not right now. ... There may be a time for it. But right now, I enjoy doing TV, working with companies. ... Five or six years ago, I was going to be the personnel guy with Mr. Huizenga. But I wasn’t ready then, and decided to stay on TV.
Q: “Ace Ventura 3?”
Marino: “Ace Ventura 3?” I wasn’t even invited to do “Ace Ventura 2.” ... I made Jim Carrey a star!
Q: No more movies?
Marino: I’d do more movies (laughter).
Q: Which NFL player do you enjoy watching the most?
Marino: At the end of the year, Aaron Rodgers' play was pretty special.
Q: Finish the sentence: The biggest mistake athletes make when starting their own foundation is…
Marino: Understanding all the things that are involved with it, and making sure you know all the business things involved with it.
Q: Super Bowl in Indianapolis. Who will be playing?
Marino: In the NFC, if Green Bay can continue that run, they’ll get back. ... In the AFC, we’ve always got Pittsburgh and the Colts, but New England also is a team that’s getting younger.
