Greed Kills Hockey

The NHL became the first major sports league in U.S. history to cancel a season due to a labor dispute. What is at issue, $6.5 million dollars per team per year--that right's right, small potatoes to these organizations.

To be sure both sides have given up a great deal, but the fans have given up more and that has cost the NHL more than it can ever recover--fan goodwill. Fans will have lost over 1200 games, a Stanley Cup run that has been exciting in recent years and trust in teh league and players.

I used to like the NHL because the game is exciting, and it remains one of the few sports still available for middle size guys. You didn't have to be a 6 foot 7, 300 pound behemoth to play or a 7 foot tall stick either. But the greed of the players and the owners has gone beyond repair in my mind. Call me a simpleton, but if you are only $3.25 million apart over the course of an eight-month season, what is your problem. Greed--everyone wanting a bigger piece of hte pie.

Now, with the season canceled, the league faces a bigger problem. With fans dismayed and disappointed at the turn of events, the league is going to have a tough time selling their product again--and the players are going to have to help. That is the irony, in order to justify and cover what ever salary cap comes into play, the league, the owners and hte players are all going to have to work hard, together, to convince fans to come back to the arenas and watch the games. Otherwise, the league won't make enough money to cover operating expenditures, player salaries and other costs. Oops!

I understand the need for each side to protect its interests, but if you want a good example of a league and the players union cooperating, look at the NFL. The league continues to make more and more money each year. Teams that spend the most money on salaries, don't always win--see the Redskins. In fact, the new England Patriots, arguably a dynasty, have a much smaller payroll than Philadelphia.

I believe a salary cap makes the league more competitive and a more competitive league means that games are more exciting and that is what draws fans in to the seats.

So the the NHL Owners and Players union--get your head out of your ass, agree to a $45 million dollar salary cap with bonus for exceeding attendence goals and get to work.

NHL Cancels Season as Final Push Falls Short (washingtonpost.com)