August 18, 2004
NHLPA To Ownership: Drop Dead
In other bright and happy news, the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) formally rejected all six of ownership's proposals for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA):
"We believe what we read, and they had pretty much disparaged all the proposals publicly," NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly said. "But we just wanted them to confirm that to us across the table. I suppose that we are hopeful that they will come back to us with their vision. Their last and only proposal was in June 2003, and that was 15 months ago."
Saskin has said the NHLPA won't negotiate "against ourselves." He said "lobbing proposals back and forth" wouldn't be as constructive as trying to find common ground through exploring the league's operations and economics.
That was what the sides discussed Tuesday in what Saskin termed "a sidestep in the process."
They did agree to meet Aug. 25-26 in Ottawa and Aug. 31-Sept. 1 in Montreal.
Looks like both sides are going to get exactly what they want -- a work stoppage, and one where both sides have to bleed before there's a settlement.
Here's some thoughts from PJ at Sharkspage from yesterday that I think are pertinent:
I was firmly behind the NHLPA and the players during the 94 lockout, but this year they have been woefully inadequate giving fans information about their position. Although the timely release of salary information on their website is informative, they have no CBA news on the front page of their site, nothing on the press release page, no blog, no detailed information about their CBA position, nothing of interest to those concerned about the loss of a season.
I'm not one to take sides in a business dispute, but PJ does point out something important: on the PR front, ownership is absolutely clocking the players -- something that's sure to have an impact on the rank and file during an extended work stoppage. Domination of public debate in a negotiation like this one might just cause a revolt, and cleave the players in two.
OT UPDATE: Joe Tasca has a different take.
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This looks like it's a done deal to me - obviously there is still time for something to come up and get done, but the players aren't into this at all. Ugh. Not looking forward to this Fall - the Olympic Bad Dream Team is leaving a bad NBA taste in my mouth, and I don't expect minor league hockey to be on DirecTV anytime soon. Thanks for posting about this.
Posted by:
at August 18, 2004 12:26 AM
You're right Eric, on the PR front ownership is beating the NHLPA like rented mules. OTOH with what it costs to go see a Ducks or Kings game I'm getting pretty hostile to both sides. I'm at the point where it's like "Owners? Players? Meet your respective petards" In short, NHL, get it worked out or screw you guys, I'm going home.
At least there's San Diego Gulls games next year. And hockey on the GameCube. And drinking heavily.
Posted by:
at August 18, 2004 02:59 AM
The players don't need to fight a PR war, because it's not up to public opinion. The fans are against the players getting paid *at all*--there's no rational basis for discussion there, so there's no point in paying any attention in that direction.
Rick Sadowski at the Rocky Mountain News mentioned this about six months ago. I shared this viewpoint with him, and he admitted that while that was true, he was looking for a PR effort from the players more for his benefit, rather than for public information. I think that's basically the impulse here.
Keep in mind: A labor-management dispute is not a popularity contest. If that were the case, sports owners would win every time, regardless of the facts. The players know this.
Posted by:
at August 18, 2004 10:00 AM
The fans are against the players getting paid *at all*
What the...?
A labor-management dispute is not a popularity contest. If that were the case, sports owners would win every time, regardless of the facts.
Owners are more popular than players? I'm trying to think of one sports movie where the owner wasn't portrayed as an evil, greedy SOB. I can't think of one.
Posted by:
at August 18, 2004 02:22 PM
Our company buys 8 seats for the complete Buffalo Sabres season. I would rather see highschool hockey than pay more for season tickets. ( This season the new owner actually lowered ticket prices ) It's clear to the fans that the NHL players can have a great life on what is being paid currently. It will probably kill this fanchise to have a delayed or cancelled season. For most fans, life will go on without the NHL. I wonder what the players will think about a cap at that point? My thinking is that the players would make great rink guards for the local " general skate ".
Posted by:
at August 26, 2004 10:33 PM
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12:12 AM