I miss my hockey season. I don't follow any sports except hockey. I'm not the freakish, stop everything it's Monday night football, bet on fantasy league, stat memorizer type. Just someone who enjoys watching the sport. Former player Phil Esposito had it right in this article. I think there isn't the market that the players feel there is for astronomical salaries.
My friend Joe has an opinion on the subject that led me to write this posting. There is also a vague reference in his post to someone who could be construed as me. Wow, that's pathetically shallow. That's also a good reason to reciprocate his veiled reference. A shameless, selfserving attempt to have myself vaguely referred to (that's shallow AND depressing). Actually I agree that this lockout could hurt the league irrepairably. However I don't believe that the owners should end the lockout, I think the players should accept a salary cap. There is just not a large enough fan base to support unlimited earnings.
Todd,
ReplyDeleteNo league makes enough money for unlimited earnings. The players are not holding a gun to the owners heads making them sign these contracts.
It is true that the revenue stream in the NHL is not as it is in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Since one franchise, Pittsburgh, has already gone through bankruptcy, there is trouble in paradise.
However, are the owners wanting to cap their revenue? As in ticket prices, parking and food? I think not.
Any business wants cost certainty, it ain't gonna happen.
The players made a huge gesture in the salary rollback. The owners have not moved and are risking the future of the league over one point, albeit a major one.
As long as they're not playing, the NHL becomes less and less revelant to the fans. There are a few die hard cities that care, but most fans have written the season, and even the league off.
Less than a month to pitchers and catchers!
Oh, and I can't take much stock in what company lackey Phil Esposito says. He's from the days when the players were nothing more than chattel and took whatever the owners were kind enough to parcel out.
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt Espo was a great player, but he is living in the past when it comes to the relationship between the players (labor) and the owners (management)
Todd, I'm surprised you buy into the salary cap, it is such an anti union position to take, and you are a proud Teamster.