Coronavirus and the Washington Capitals

[hockeykicker]

Ok whatever that was, lets stop that. We aren't discussing russian hacking, nazi's, who landed on the moon, who got money, politics etc. Try and stay on topic

 

[Langway]

I, for one, would like more moon content.

 

[Silky mitts]

I, for one, would like more moon content.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Trump's four executive orders to lower drug prices: What to know — Fox Business


What say you Dave? Since you’re in the industry.

 

[kicksavedave]

Trump's four executive orders to lower drug prices: What to know — Fox Business


What say you Dave? Since you’re in the industry.

Two comments: One is, none of these four things will actually happen, they will either not be implemented by this administration, or be blocked in court until Biden is elected. Two, if they were implemented, they would not have the exact desired effects because EO's are not laws, they don't have the details to prevent the circumvention that pages and pages of regulation are designed to do.

Simplified, Trumps EO is not remotely the answer, but real reform in how we deliver medical care is needed, and that includes drug prices. I'm not a socialist, I am a capitalist, in general, but I believe there are a few industries that simply don't work in a "free market, capitalists" manner, and health care is one of them (education, prisons, first responders and defense are others). For a free market to work, consumers need to be able to purchase with choices at an arms length transaction while not under duress. That simply isn't possible in health care, where you may be unconscious when you need it, or where there is often only one supplier for what you need but you cannot go without it. Consumers also need to be able to make informed choices and again thats not always possible to compare one doctor or hospital or drug to another. When your house is on fire you don't have the luxury of Googling which fire department is the best and fastest, so it must become a social service. So, ultimately, profit in health care disrupts the common good of serving all of society and should be removed from the equation and become a public (social) service. But then that also creates its own set of problems. If there was one easy answer it would have been tried here already. I'd be fine with reform which makes essential drug prices affordable to the public, but simply price capping big pharma isn't the answer either. I also don't trust Donald Trump to figure it out himself.

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

No thank you.

 

[g00n]

Starting to wonder if the NHL is just trying to fit in a season to satisfy a year of their broadcasting deal.

 

[Calicaps]

This season is ridiculous. They're putting the players, coaches, trainers, etc. at risk of a debilitating disease for no apparent reason.

 

[tenken00]

Starting to wonder if the NHL is just trying to fit in a season to satisfy a year of their broadcasting deal.

Not just satisfy, but to negotiate a new US TV contract with a stronger position than if they just canceled the season. NBC's 10-year contract is finished after this season.

 

[g00n]

This season is ridiculous. They're putting the players, coaches, trainers, etc. at risk of a debilitating disease for no apparent reason.

I suspected this immediately. Googled it. Now convinced this is the reason:

Expect TV Rights Fees For Sports To Soar

I assume there's a "force majeure" clause in the contract that would've pushed the final year of the deal if the season fell short of X games and the NHL wants this year to count so they can find a new rights deal.

So the answer is $$$$$ even as they cry poor (their claim of losing billions).

 

[g00n]

Not just satisfy, but to negotiate a new US TV contract with a stronger position than if they just canceled the season. NBC's 10-year contract is finished after this season.

Yeah see post above. Shady.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Wait what? As in fully substituting the Sabres with the Flyers, or were they planning to rotate a future Flyers-Caps date with a Sabres-Caps one?

I’m sure it would be a rotation. Similar to what other sports (mostly college) have done

 

[Ridley Simon]

I simply cannot share the discontent here. The NHL is easily the weakest of the 4 Pro Sports leagues. If they took off another season, who knows that the landscape would look like upon their return. TV money is a HUGE deal for the leagues ability to not only “make it” as currently constructed, but to stay relevant in the national psyche by being in front of viewers.

no one is forcing players/coaches etc to be involved. They want to opt out (and not get paid), they can. Each their own.

We also need to realize they are all playing their childhood dreams, and even a 10yr career would be cut short by 10% by not playing. Most don’t have near that type of NHL career length.

if I was a player, I’m pretty sure I’d want to play, unless something was really wrong w my family etc.

But that’s just me.

 

[Calicaps]

I suspected this immediately. Googled it. Now convinced this is the reason:

View attachment 394113

Expect TV Rights Fees For Sports To Soar

I assume there's a "force majeure" clause in the contract that would've pushed the final year of the deal if the season fell short of X games and the NHL wants this year to count so they can find a new rights deal.

So the answer is $$$$$ even as they cry poor (their claim of losing billions).

Because of course...

I simply cannot share the discontent here. The NHL is easily the weakest of the 4 Pro Sports leagues. If they took off another season, who knows that the landscape would look like upon their return. TV money is a HUGE deal for the leagues ability to not only “make it” as currently constructed, but to stay relevant in the national psyche by being in front of viewers.

no one is forcing players/coaches etc to be involved. They want to opt out (and not get paid), they can. Each their own.

We also need to realize they are all playing their childhood dreams, and even a 10yr career would be cut short by 10% by not playing. Most don’t have near that type of NHL career length.

if I was a player, I’m pretty sure I’d want to play, unless something was really wrong w my family etc.

But that’s just me.

I take your point but I disagree about the bolded. Maybe not "forcing" but coercing for sure. I'm sure they could opt out, but at what cost if everyone else is going to work? It's the same with everyone who is working during the pandemic in some respects. Beyond that, who's to say that Kuzy or some other player doesn't end up disabled for life, like so many of the "long haulers"?? Is that really a risk worth taking?

And more than that, it's not just players. It's trainers, staff, janitorial crew...they aren't making millions. They don't have much of a choice. If there's work for them, they have to show up. They can't opt out. If there wasn't work, they'd be eligible for unemployment assistance, but with the league open, they aren't. They have to put themselves and their families at risk.

But ultimately, it's about the almighty dollar, as @g00n and @tenken00 have identified, and not "The Game" or saving careers or any other noble-sounding thing.

 

[Corby78]

This season is ridiculous. They're putting the players, coaches, trainers, etc. at risk of a debilitating disease for no apparent reason.

The players in these strict rules are safer than the vast majority of people needing to go to work every day. Also the risk to 28 year old athletes is pretty low.

 

[Corby78]

Yeah see post above. Shady.

Trying to keep a league afloat is shady? If they sat out, lost millions, got taken on a lost TV year because the contract rolled, and the league suffered, you all would call them idiots and incompetent.

Is serving food in a parking lot to keep a restaurant going shady? Is dropping a product because it’s not making your business money shady? People seem quick to call smart business decisions greedy or shady, yet if it’s their own bank account.... different story.

 

[Corby78]

Because of course...



I take your point but I disagree about the bolded. Maybe not "forcing" but coercing for sure. I'm sure they could opt out, but at what cost if everyone else is going to work? It's the same with everyone who is working during the pandemic in some respects. Beyond that, who's to say that Kuzy or some other player doesn't end up disabled for life, like so many of the "long haulers"?? Is that really a risk worth taking?

And more than that, it's not just players. It's trainers, staff, janitorial crew...they aren't making millions. They don't have much of a choice. If there's work for them, they have to show up. They can't opt out. If there wasn't work, they'd be eligible for unemployment assistance, but with the league open, they aren't. They have to put themselves and their families at risk.

But ultimately, it's about the almighty dollar, as @g00n and @tenken00 have identified, and not "The Game" or saving careers or any other noble-sounding thing.

what is more likely? Kuzy having long term issues because of COVID, or because he got checked to the head, or went funny into the boards?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

This season is ridiculous. They're putting the players, coaches, trainers, etc. at risk of a debilitating disease for no apparent reason.

there are billions of reasons....

I don’t blame the NHL one bit for trying to survive by keeping their product available to the consumer.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Because of course...



I take your point but I disagree about the bolded. Maybe not "forcing" but coercing for sure. I'm sure they could opt out, but at what cost if everyone else is going to work? It's the same with everyone who is working during the pandemic in some respects. Beyond that, who's to say that Kuzy or some other player doesn't end up disabled for life, like so many of the "long haulers"?? Is that really a risk worth taking?

And more than that, it's not just players. It's trainers, staff, janitorial crew...they aren't making millions. They don't have much of a choice. If there's work for them, they have to show up. They can't opt out. If there wasn't work, they'd be eligible for unemployment assistance, but with the league open, they aren't. They have to put themselves and their families at risk.

But ultimately, it's about the almighty dollar, as @g00n and @tenken00 have identified, and not "The Game" or saving careers or any other noble-sounding thing.

No season equals no pay for all of the lower level people you mentioned. They will mostly either get furloughed or laid off. So how is that better? They can either look for a new job now (while having a job), or look for a new job now (while *not* having a job). It’s all personal choice, IMO. Same w the players. They sit out a year and take care of themselves. They either come back, get traded, or become FA’s. None of which is horrible. People in everyday life get transferred all the time. You either accept it, or you don’t.

All business are dealing with this. Sadly. Sink or swim. The NHL is trying to swim, IMO

that’s all I’m saying.

 

[Calicaps]

what is more likely? Kuzy having long term issues because of COVID, or because he got checked to the head, or went funny into the boards?

so because he plays a physical sport any risk is acceptable?

 

[Calicaps]

No season equals no pay for all of the lower level people you mentioned. They will mostly either get furloughed or laid off. So how is that better? They can either look for a new job now (while having a job), or look for a new job now (while *not* having a job). It’s all personal choice, IMO. Same w the players. They sit out a year and take care of themselves. They either come back, get traded, or become FA’s. None of which is horrible. People in everyday life get transferred all the time. You either accept it, or you don’t.

All business are dealing with this. Sadly. Sink or swim. The NHL is trying to swim, IMO

that’s all I’m saying.

As I said, without a job they are eligible for assistance, which comes without the risk of a deadly virus. They don't have that option now.

And for the record, this is not me hypothesizing. My husband hasn't worked in nearly a year because of the pandemic (not by choice) and the expanded unemployment has kept us afloat while letting him stay safe at home.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

so because he plays a physical sport any risk is acceptable?

Isn’t it Kuzy’s risk to accept or not?

Lol he certainly doesn’t seem all that concerned COUGH***covid list***COUGH...

 

[g00n]

Trying to keep a league afloat is shady? If they sat out, lost millions, got taken on a lost TV year because the contract rolled, and the league suffered, you all would call them idiots and incompetent.

Is serving food in a parking lot to keep a restaurant going shady? Is dropping a product because it’s not making your business money shady? People seem quick to call smart business decisions greedy or shady, yet if it’s their own bank account.... different story.

Give it a rest.

 

[Calicaps]

Isn’t it Kuzy’s risk to accept or not?

Lol he certainly doesn’t seem all that concerned COUGH***covid list***COUGH...

Yeah, Kuzy maybe isn't the best example. LOL

I am just saying I think putting people at risk from this virus is callous AF, good business or not and that the health of those who have less choice (support staff, family members, etc.) should be the top priority. Just my opinion.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

No season equals no pay for all of the lower level people you mentioned. They will mostly either get furloughed or laid off. So how is that better? They can either look for a new job now (while having a job), or look for a new job now (while *not* having a job). It’s all personal choice, IMO. Same w the players. They sit out a year and take care of themselves. They either come back, get traded, or become FA’s. None of which is horrible. People in everyday life get transferred all the time. You either accept it, or you don’t.

All business are dealing with this. Sadly. Sink or swim. The NHL is trying to swim, IMO

that’s all I’m saying.

totally fair stance IMO....

I think the majority of arena staff would rather be back working honestly....