“$600 a player?” Now I understand why Bull is so glum! The pay-to- play – participate – whatever fee in the schools in my town is a more down-to-earth 75 bucks. Turns out things could be even worse, though: according to the article that The Ridger linked to, these fees can run up to a grand! Unfortunately, it looks like the only ones in Westview who can afford the six hundred bucks are the parents of the uncoordinated skinny white kids. The punchline sucks, too: Bull would have to comprehend that Les is talking about “cutting” costs, not players.
Gratuitous
What’s even more wearisome than the decades-old running gag about the lousy football team? How about a week-long arc about how hard economic times are affecting said lousy football team? What is a tip jar supposed to accomplish? Why doesn’t Bull get some advice from fundraising genius Harry Dinkle?
Whiners and Losers
As the Scapgoat gridders practice, Les and Bull look on and continue to bemoan the school’s pay-to-participate play policy. We can’t mention the football team without also bringing up the fact that they suck. Batiuk employs a couple black “extras” left over from last week’s arc.
Make 'em Pay
School’s in, and Les is still a teacher at Westview High, and bumbling Bull has managed to hang on as the Scapegoats’ athletic director. Les brings up the unpopular phenomenon of Pay-to-Participate fees that are being instituted in cash-strapped schools. Bull’s wife Linda brings up the fact that Westview’s football team sucks.
It's Called Running
Today’s strip feels like two daily strips, one stacked upon the other, and neither one being funny. It also feels like a rehash of the July 10 strip, only this time Les wears the Lisa’s Legacy t-shirt, and Funky has gotten even fatter; his panel 4 silhouette resembles the Michelin Man.
Son of Stuck Funky 
