NHL Lockout: The Battle for Hockey Related Revenue
What could, and most likely should have been a great day for hockey yesterday, turned into bitter disappointment.
After the NHL made a huge proposal earlier this week that conceded a 50/50 split of hockey related revenue, everyone in the hocky world thought that a deal was imminent.
The players words shortly after made us think otherwise as the deal was not met with much enthusiasm. We had hoped that it was last-minute posturing by the NHLPA, but now we know that it was not.
On Thursday the PA tabled three counter offers. #1 would hit a 50/50 split in three years, #2 in five years, and #3 would hit 50/50 immediately but only if the owners honored all existing contracts.
After the huge concession by the NHL, it would be easy to immediately vilify the players after todays meetings, but while hardly innocent, at least part of what the players are asking is not unreasonable.
Without knowing more details we have to look at the bit of information available, but offer #3 should make sense. The owners complain about not having a financially viable economic structure and cry poor, but out of the other side of their mouths they beg over priced players to sign with their team.
One of the teams that is used as an example of needing financial help is the Devils. We didn’t hear them complaining about the economy when they signed Ilya Kovalchuk to a disgusting contract.
GM’s and owners threw money around like confetti in a parade with no self-restraint. They made their bed, now they need to sleep in it. A contract, is a contract, is a contract. Remember that players were being signed fast and furious up until the moment that the CBA expired.
Now, that being said the players have a great deal of blame as well. The last CBA was not 100% the steamroll over the players that everyone thinks. Yes, in many ways it was, but to get 57% revenue sharing for the players was more than the NFLPA (48%) in a league that is far less financially viable.
The NHLPA is trying to get the most milk out of the smallest cow, and the owners are trying to back out of contracts that they shouldn’t have made in the first place.
Both offers tabled this week are workable deals and have potential to be met in the middle, but one side has to step up and end the game of chicken.
Don’t let either side fool you into thinking that they are the victim, because both sides are being driven by greed, and its the little guys not making millions that are suffering as a result.
Remember the restaurant owners, the shop keepers, the ticket sellers, and the merchandise vendors that have no business as a result of squabbling rich men.
“It’s clear we’re not speaking the same language,” said Bettman.
Then lets hire a translator and get this thing done.
Until next time…….
Remember to subscribe to our RSS Feed!
You can also get free email updates from Hyped Up Hockey by subscribing here.
