I think Mr. Vinik is assessing the situation incorrectly here. First, lockouts are going to keep happening because looking like assholes isn't bad for business (not talking about anyone in particular. I'd vote to lockout if I didn't have a CBA, but getting there is a such an issue, and what's wrong with a provisional CBA that no one likes just to make sure that games get played?). These guys only get a few kicks at the can here too for an Olympic medal. A World Cup of Hockey isn't that, and it's been normalized because the NHL has been going since '98. Basically the belief, whether the league will ever acknowledge or accept it, is that the NHL doesn't like this Olympics being in South Korea specifically, and are much more willing to go to China in '22.
It doesn't matter if that's true or not. That's what's the perception is.