Unspoken issues at heart of CBA negotiation

In my opinion the NHL is still suffering the affects of the last work stoppage, with the current not-so-great TV contracts.
I hope the league and union want insure the NHL does not lockout again, but everyone wants their piece of the pie, and that never bodes well for the fans

Don Fehr will try to prove he's meaner and tougher than ever and that bodes ill for the league AND the players. When a no-brainer like realignment is refused guess what that means for the negotiations? Another stoppage and a short season, or maybe even a lost season. Means contraction, less TV money and a loss of player jobs. Have at at it Donnie. Let's see what you can mess up.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:50 AM ET  02.03 by BrownsBucksBlueJackets

In my opinion the NHL is still suffering the affects of the last work stoppage, with the current not-so-great TV contracts.I hope the league and union want insure the NHL does not lockout again, but everyone wants their piece of the pie, and that never bodes well for the fans

they all get the pie and we get nothing...not even Cool HWHIP

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:10 AM ET  02.03 by Spiny Norman

they all get the pie and we get nothing...not even Cool HWHIP

Don't be cru-ell

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:10 AM ET  02.03 by Spiny Norman

they all get the pie and we get nothing...not even Cool HWHIP

Stewie is that you?

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 09:07 AM ET  02.03 by Slapshot

Don Fehr will try to prove he's meaner and tougher than ever and that bodes ill for the league AND the players. When a no-brainer like realignment is refused guess what that means for the negotiations? Another stoppage and a short season, or maybe even a lost season. Means contraction, less TV money and a loss of player jobs. Have at at it Donnie. Let's see what you can mess up.

As much as I enjoy watching pro sports, it would be nice if just once after one of these "stoppages" the fans never came back. Just an entire season of empty stadiums. Just once...

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:47 AM ET  02.03 by Canuck eh?

Stewie is that you?

you can't have pie without Cool HWHIP

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:55 AM ET  02.03 by Spiny Norman

you can't have pie without Cool HWHIP

Only if you're eating hair.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:54 AM ET  02.03 by nfitzy

As much as I enjoy watching pro sports, it would be nice if just once after one of these "stoppages" the fans never came back. Just an entire season of empty stadiums. Just once...

I know I have many other interests that I would be more than happy to pay attention to. If they have another work stoppage, hockey would pretty much be off my radar. I just wouldn't care anymore.

What I would like to see is Comcast, who owns NBC, attend one of the meetings between the league and the PA and say straight out that NBC took a chance on the tv contract with the NHL and Comcast will not take kindly to losing this programming just as they are trying to get the NBC Sports Network up and running. A not too subtle threat from them would be most helpful I think.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:13 AM ET  02.03 by Phantomphan MMT

What I would like to see is Comcast, who owns NBC, attend one of the meetings between the league and the PA and say straight out that NBC took a chance on the tv contract with the NHL and Comcast will not take kindly to losing this programming just as they are trying to get the NBC Sports Network up and running. A not too subtle threat from them would be most helpful I think.

it amazes me that these guys are the essence of killing the goose that lays the golden egg...all pro sports are.
You're getting paid tons of money for a game (both players and owners) and yet you want more? How much do you need?

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:21 AM ET  02.03 by Spiny Norman

it amazes me that these guys are the essence of killing the goose that lays the golden egg...all pro sports are.You're getting paid tons of money for a game (both players and owners) and yet you want more? How much do you need?

It's a sign of the times, Spiny. More is not enough anymore.

I still know friends (casual Flyer fans) who don't watch the Flyers as much as they did in 2004, and this is a great hockey market! The NBA and NFL can get away with a lockout more then the NHL can. The NBA can always market Lebron and Kobe to promote their sport and the NFL is once a week, so it is a religion on Sunday to football fans. Hockey has a loyal following, but not much margin for error, and they rely alot more on gate revenue then the other sport, and that is the first to suffer after a lockout. Fehr is remembered for cancelling the 1994 World Series, so I wouldn't put it past him to ruin our sport now by playing hardball. And Bettman should be fired if he presides over the 3 lockout in 18 years too!

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:54 AM ET  02.03 by nfitzy

As much as I enjoy watching pro sports, it would be nice if just once after one of these "stoppages" the fans never came back. Just an entire season of empty stadiums. Just once...

With HDTV and the outrageous price of tickets, I don't understand anyone who pays for season tickets anymore? We used to have season tickets to the Flyers (Spectrum days), but a whole season is too much money.

The price of tickets, food, parking, the hassle of traffic, it just isn't worth it to goto sport events anymore. I happily sit at home in front of my 55" HDTV and enjoy the game just as much.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 10:32 AM ET  02.03 by Phantomphan MMT

It's a sign of the times, Spiny. More is not enough anymore.

I don't even think it's a matter of that. From what I can see, the players don't think the league is maximizing profits the way they should be, and for them to continually take the risks modern-day players take every night (with concussions and the always-looming threat of being traded to Burke/Wilson, etc.) they want to send a message. The fact is the players suffer more than anyone by having these awful teams in awful hockey markets when there are untapped markets all over the place which would increase revenue and make everybody wealthier.

Of course, we all know this. But there's a certain little guy in a big office who doesnt.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 10:12 AM ET  02.03 by Phantomphan MMT

I know I have many other interests that I would be more than happy to pay attention to. If they have another work stoppage, hockey would pretty much be off my radar. I just wouldn't care anymore.

Me too Phantom. I could just go to bars and watch MMA, fly kites, continually whine and moan (wait, I do that now!).......it is insane what Fehr and the NHLPA are getting ready to demand. Don't misunderstand, I don't care a whit for the owners either. But, the fact is that hockey, more than any other major sport, counts on ticket revenue. broadcast revenue is relatively small (compared to MLB and the NFL especially). The amount of money I've paid out for the last 50 years for sports would put me in the 1%!. The golden goose has a limited amount left to give. So guys....you better agree, and far in advance of training camp, or it'll be another 5 or 6 years before you get back to where you already are today.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 10:32 AM ET  02.03 by Phantomphan MMT

It's a sign of the times, Spiny. More is not enough anymore.

There's a great bit at the end of "Chinatown" where Jack Nicholson says to John Huston:
What do you neede that you can't already buy? What better food can you get?...etc
A great exchange that I always think of when I hear any of this stuff

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:50 AM ET  02.03 by Slapshot

it is insane what Fehr and the NHLPA are getting ready to demand. Don't misunderstand, I don't care a whit for the owners either. But, the fact is that hockey, more than any other major sport, counts on ticket revenue. broadcast revenue is relatively small (compared to MLB and the NFL especially). The amount of money I've paid out for the last 50 years for sports would put me in the 1%!. The golden goose has a limited amount left to give. So guys....you better agree, and far in advance of training camp, or it'll be another 5 or 6 years before you get back to where you already are today.

and the sad fact is, all of these owners...even the so-called "small market" guys...can afford, if needs be, to take a year off

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 11:27 AM ET  02.03 by Spiny Norman

and the sad fact is, all of these owners...even the so-called "small market" guys...can afford, if needs be, to take a year off

You've hit on a great point. A lot of these money-losing franchises will lose LESS if there is a stoppage. These guys make their money on the increase in franchise value from when they bought it. And that train is gonna stop running soon, if it hasn't already.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 09:07 AM ET  02.03 by Slapshot

Don Fehr will try to prove he's meaner and tougher than ever and that bodes ill for the league AND the players. When a no-brainer like realignment is refused guess what that means for the negotiations? Another stoppage and a short season, or maybe even a lost season. Means contraction, less TV money and a loss of player jobs. Have at at it Donnie. Let's see what you can mess up.

I think the NHL are going to be the ones playing hardball. They are going to be asking for a revenue split similar to the NBA and also a limit on lengths of contracts. Pretty sure the players don't want any of that so a short or lost season is not out of the question.