Gary to Bob - let's start off this negotiation by you explaining to me, the owners, the fans, the corporate sponsors why you stand so strongly against:
a partnership
Gary Bettman for a partner? Surely you jest.
cost certainty
This is Bettmanspeak for artificially set limits on player wages.
revenue sharing
The NHLPA does not oppose revenue sharing. They have encouraged it. They would argue that the success of the NFL is that more than 70% of revenues are shared. In the NHL less than 9% of revenues are shared. Owners pay lip service to revenue sharing but push comes to shove and the owners always vote for nickels and dimes. The owners oppose a luxury tax because it means sharing revenues.
The only reason I have been given to date is that it's against your principal so while your at it please explain to me what principals you are referring to in simple terms please.
Well, a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest, doesn't he? Principles? How about the fundamental principles underlying the economies of free and open societies?
The idea of artificial controls on wages is the antithesis of the free enterprise system. In a capitalist society, the owner takes the risks, manages the operation and strives to profit. The worker is free to negotiate the highest possible wage for his labour. What's so wrong with free enterprise and capitalism that is should be thrown out in hockey?
Tom