People, the National Hockey League is sure to nosedive into another year long lockout. While some have remained optimistic, others have rang the death bell. It was assumed that the season would be compromised. Some have assumed that a compressed 82 game schedule would be placed. Others have speculated anywhere from a 41 game season to none at all. With this latest rejection by the league, the naysayers have gained more traction.
Earlier today, the NHLPA put forth another proposal that made considerable concessions pertaining to Hockey Related Revenue in hopes, that I can only speculate to mean, that they wanted to move on to contracting issues. Specifically, while the league was willing to put aside 6% of the NHL's revenue for sharing, the players' proposal had the audacity to propose the equivalent of 12% of last year's revenue to sharing over the course of four years. Since this was a higher number than the league thought of, they naturally rejected.
This move has only confirmed what many people have known for months: that this CBA agreement is not about what is best for the league, its earnings, or the players in their eyes. To the Board of Governors, it's a clash of ideals. They think that the extra $1.5 billion they made is theirs and theirs alone. Damn to the players they pay, or the arena staff under their payroll. They supply the capital, so what else would be more important? Never mind that their labour and product are intertwined, or that their marketing is only as good as what they put on the ice. They deserve all the money because they are wealthy. Beer leaguers will play for free, so why can't the stars?
At this point, if an agreement was made, it would mean a 50-60 game season that stretched an extra month, at best. And that's without an All-Star Game or a Winter Classic. The bargaining chips are done with, so what's there to fight for? If I'm right, the owners' camp will want to maintain the status quo so the (profiting) owners can keep the bottom line. The players are holding on because they remember what happened when they caved seven years ago. There's a pattern that the most publicized party is called to take a pay cut regardless if they deserve it or not. The NHL could be making eight billion dollars with current player salaries, and people would still be demanding player pay cuts.
I would to end this with a statement to the NHL owners and executives. It may be a little vulgar, so I'll hide this behind a jump cut. Without further ado, dear NHL...
