The NHL's current CBA expires this coming Saturday, September 15th. "NHL labor talks: League gives NHLPA 76,000 pages of financial documents" (Tuesday, 7/31/12) -G
Last I read on this the owners were asking the players to take a revenue cut from 57 to 46% of hockey related revenues, and limiting what is defined as hockey related revenue. This essentially amounts to a similar 20% salary cut the players took to end the 2004-5 lockout. I doubt that will be the final number, but it seems like the owners are tying to use the CBA to save them from themselves again.
Is there any realistic chance that this whole thing gets resolved by September 15th, or at least close enough to getting resolved by then that things don't immediately get shut down? -G
In the absence of a new CBA deal, that would certainly be ideal. I've already seen commercials on NBC Sports Network touting the return of NHL play this fall (not specific matchups, but just NHL play overall). Hopefully those commercials don't come back to bite the channel. -G
From the players side this would be a smart move as it would show yes we do care about the fans and about the game way to many times does it seem like its about the money it would also let them win over some non hard core fans from the owners side it comes down to many can't afford no hockey this fall.
True, though it seems that it's the owners that are balking at the current CBA while the players seem to like it as is. If there ends up being a work stoppage, it'll most likely be a lockout initiated by the owners rather than a strike initiated by the players. -G
Honestly, if they were to play this year under the existing rules, and then figure out how to get a CBA done without a lockout/strike that would be the ideal scenario for fans. That's on the owners as I can't see the players actually choosing to strike, as they have nothing to gain by it.
My fear is if there is no hockey this fall the future of Columbus/Islanders/Phoenix/Florida could be up in the air.
"NHL will lock out players if no deal by Sept. 15" (Thursday, 8/9/12) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday that the league will lock out the players if no new collective bargaining agreement is in place. -G
"NHL labor talks: League, Gary Bettman put an end to optimism" (Wednesday, 8/15/12) Gary Bettman didn't take kindly to the NHLPA's proposal. (AP Photo) -G
It's times like these that remind me how intensely I dislike Gary Bettman. There, I said it. Donald Fehr is only slightly better.
Bettman's Gaffe Fans are not doormats that you can assume will show up regardless of labor unrest, this type of statement is a horrible assumption that fans would return after a second lockout in 8 seasons.
The "Fans" are irrelevant to Gary...he only calls us the greatest fans in the world when it's in front of a camera or the Cup final. I would love to see the minutes of the meetings and see how many times the word "fan has been stated. The new agreement that NHL put out was a 58m cap...not a=idal for most teams as a good 15 teams are above that number. Hoping for a lockout until Jan 1...
"NHL labor: 10 days from lockout, the outlook is grim" (Wednesday, 9/5/12) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman maintains that the league will lock out the NHLPA on Sept. 15, and the sides aren't currently negotiating. (AP Photo) -G
"NHL labor talks: League one day closer to lockout after brief Saturday meeting" (Saturday, 9/8/12) Bill Daly, right, is Gary Bettman's No. 2 man. (AP Photo) -G
"NHL labor: Sides to meet Wednesday, 3 days from lockout" (Tuesday, 9/11/12) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly may have a new offer from the NHLPA to ponder Wednesday. (AP Photo) -G