It is official, the fans dont care anymore.

Drew311

Makes The Pass
Oct 29, 2010
11,902
2,381
Considering i'm such a huge hockey fan I never thought I would come to the point of not caring if a season is cancelled or not, but this has become my state of mind. I couldn't care less and am waiting for the MLB season to begin.
 

Mess

Global Moderator
Feb 27, 2002
86,913
11,862
Leafs Home Board
Bettman in an almost conceited way heading into the lockout said the fans will return, taking that for granted, because it happened last time.

Lockout all about leverage NHL believes fans will return – again

The first mistake you can make when thinking about the coming NHL lockout is thinking about it at all, but let’s blow right past that to the second mistake, which is thinking that it might be about what’s fair. Labour negotiations are not about what’s fair. Labour negotiations are about leverage.
...
But the most important leverage may be the leverage hockey has over its fans, especially in Canada. When asked Thursday if the way the game recovered from the 2004-05 lockout gave him confidence it would recover again, Bettman said: "One, we’re focused on trying to make a deal. We don’t want a work stoppage. But obviously, if we don’t have a deal, we feel we have no choice. And two, we recovered well last time because we have the world’s greatest fans."

There it is. People will come. That is where the NHL is negotiating from, and that is why these kabuki negotiations aren’t even foreplay; they’re text messages, setting the basic parameters for interaction. For the owners the pressure points are not now, and they are not later.

And that is why the battle for public opinion in this lockout won’t matter unless fan anger is actually carried over when they actually start playing games again – and last time that didn’t happen.

One of the chief problems the NHL had with the last CBA is that it linked player salaries and revenues, and revenues skyrocketed from $1.8 billion US to $3.3 billion US in seven years. Part of that was the Canadian dollar, but not all of it. The owners believe the dollars will come back again, even if another Stanley Cup is wasted, because it has happened before.

Full story: http://o.canada.com/2012/08/24/lockout-all-about-leverage-nhl-believes-fans-will-return-again/
Fan apathy is much greater this time around, and Bettman and the Owners might get a big surprise when hockey returns, and their biggest mistake might be taking it for granted that the fans will easily forgive and forget.

"Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me", meaning that you should learn from your mistakes, and not allow people to take advantage of you repeatedly.
 

JAMmer124

Independent Living
Aug 13, 2010
5,415
1
Welland, Ontario
Looks good on them, especially Bettman for assuming we'd all come crawling back like last time.

Last time, I admit I crawled back as soon as the CBA was done, because I missed the Leafs. Right now, I'd be hard pressed to say that I'd even watch a game on tv unless there's nothing better on, and even then xBox probably wins out.


**** those greedy ********. I can't wait for April to come around, I want to cheer on a team that actually has a chance to win and one that seemingly cares about its fan base. Go Jays Go.
 

TheGroceryStick

Registered User
Jan 19, 2009
13,681
3,309
Ontario Canada
Once back, i wish we did something (just one time) to let them know we are here; And not just brainless sports fans, who are willing to toss money at them at all costs.
 

member 147413

Guest
I still love my Leafs, but the league and it's players deserve to rot. IDGAF anymore. When the season returns, I will watch but I doubt many casuals return and I definitely won't be buying any NHL products for a LONG time.
 

Deebo

Registered User
Jan 28, 2005
8,327
1,822
Toronto
If it was up to the Leafs ownership, there wouldn't be a lockout.

Therefore, I will resume my regular NHL watching habits once they return. I'm not going to deprive myself of something I love in order to send a message that really won't be received by anyone.
 

Liferleafer

TSN Scrum Lurker
Feb 9, 2011
39,848
13,005
Considering i'm such a huge hockey fan I never thought I would come to the point of not caring if a season is cancelled or not, but this has become my state of mind. I couldn't care less and am waiting for the MLB season to begin.

These are my exact thoughts. I am a season ticket holder...my family has been for a LONG time. I can literally say i hope they do cancel the season. Like the last time they had a shortened season...it's a farce. Argue like school girls for half the year with no regard to the fans....then throw a half season out so you can milk those same fans and make at least half of your billions. To both sides i say, you've chosen to do this at the expense of the very people who give you something to fight over in the 1st place....so now, take your lumps and give up your whole year of money you greedy ********. I have no interest in paying for the discounted season you offer when you finally do start acting like adults. MAYBE i will consider coming back for the next full season....we'll see.
 

TheTotalPackage

Registered User
Sep 14, 2006
7,303
5,450
Will say this -- what the Jays have done the last couple of months has made a lot of Torontonians, self included, not even care about the lockout ("Just wake me up when it's over") and just want to fast forward to spring training.

That would be considered unfathomable.
 

Liferleafer

TSN Scrum Lurker
Feb 9, 2011
39,848
13,005
If it was up to the Leafs ownership, there wouldn't be a lockout.

Therefore, I will resume my regular NHL watching habits once they return. I'm not going to deprive myself of something I love in order to send a message that really won't be received by anyone.

You want to send a message? Boycott going to games for as many as they cancel. If they "lock us out" 40 games, we "lock them out" for 40 games when they come back. If everybody does this....it sends a message loud and clear. I know it wouldn't happen, but that would be a very clear message.
 

Rare Jewel

Patience
Jan 11, 2007
18,832
2,900
Leaf Land
Once back, i wish we did something (just one time) to let them know we are here; And not just brainless sports fans, who are willing to toss money at them at all costs.

It that really necessary here? I mean I for one do take some solace in the fact that our owner(Larry) was one of the proactive in trying to get a deal done so that there would be hockey this season.

Now if you're a Boston or a Calgary fan then I think you've got a lot more reason to feel betrayed and protest against the NHL. But to be honest, I don't really don't care all that much for other teams fans considering the **** they give us.
 

Liferleafer

TSN Scrum Lurker
Feb 9, 2011
39,848
13,005
Will say this -- what the Jays have done the last couple of months has made a lot of Torontonians, self included, not even care about the lockout ("Just wake me up when it's over") and just want to fast forward to spring training.

That would be considered unfathomable.

Yup...it's funny. I am not even a casual baseball fan, but i'm more excited to see the Jays this year than to see the end of this "joke" called a lockout.
 

Liferleafer

TSN Scrum Lurker
Feb 9, 2011
39,848
13,005
It that really necessary here? I mean I for one do take some solace in the fact that our owner(Larry) was one of the proactive in trying to get a deal done so that there would be hockey this season.

Now if you're a Boston or a Calgary fan then I think you've got a lot more reason to feel betrayed and protest against the NHL. But to be honest, I don't really don't care all that much for other teams fans considering the **** they give us.

The problem is, the NHL is a main company with 30 franchises. If a company like Tim Horton's says screw our customers like the NHL has said screw our fans, i don't think you'd say "well the Timmy's on my corner is OK though". Now...if Larry was to actually have the Balls to speak up to Hitl...i mean Bettman, then i'd agree.
 

ACC1224

Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
Aug 19, 2002
73,091
38,156
I believe when all is said and done that the Fans will come back. Certainly everyone here will.
 

Autologic

@Dropinlogic
Aug 3, 2009
401
0
...

I gave up on a NHL season happening awhile ago. I am not even that mad about losing it anymore. I truly just don't care now. I consider myself a huge Leaf fan but realistically the team's chances were slim to none on winning the cup this year. On a personal level I now have a 1 year old daughter and currently feel like my spare time has shrunk to almost nil... I doubt I would have been able to watch as much hockey this season (as I usually do) anyway.

My hope is we luck out and get a high draft pick this year in the lottery and hopefully the lockout is resolved by next season. Leafs have a bunch of bad contracts expiring at the end of this season. The free agent market could be very interesting (from a leafs perspective) if a new CBA is completed after this season is cancelled.
 

ACC1224

Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
Aug 19, 2002
73,091
38,156
The problem is, the NHL is a main company with 30 franchises. If a company like Tim Horton's says screw our customers like the NHL has said screw our fans, i don't think you'd say "well the Timmy's on my corner is OK though". Now...if Larry was to actually have the Balls to speak up to Hitl...i mean Bettman, then i'd agree.

There are lots of places to buy coffee. There is only one place to watch NHL Hockey.
 

Bedards Dad

I was in the pool!!
Nov 3, 2011
13,717
8,272
Toronto
You want to send a message? Boycott going to games for as many as they cancel. If they "lock us out" 40 games, we "lock them out" for 40 games when they come back. If everybody does this....it sends a message loud and clear. I know it wouldn't happen, but that would be a very clear message.

It would be if people did it, but like you said, it won't happen. ACC will still fill up, so like Deebo said, why deprive yourself.

I am however the most upset/angry I have been with this whole thing. I just don't care at this point, but I am sure it will change once hockey is back. Right now it is all World Jrs for me.
 

Rare Jewel

Patience
Jan 11, 2007
18,832
2,900
Leaf Land
The problem is, the NHL is a main company with 30 franchises. If a company like Tim Horton's says screw our customers like the NHL has said screw our fans, i don't think you'd say "well the Timmy's on my corner is OK though". Now...if Larry was to actually have the Balls to speak up to Hitl...i mean Bettman, then i'd agree.

I don't agree with the analogy to Tims but w/e


On Tannenbaum

He did actulley do that.

It was a fairly famous indecent that happen in the last lock-out back in January 2005 at a BOG meeting where he apparently stood up and gave 30 minute speech about why they should play hockey that season; And apparently it was greeted with the old "Of course you want to play, You own the Leafs" line.

What more can he realistically do? He's one guy, And Bettman gets his marching orders from about 10 owners who are losing money.
 

Deebo

Registered User
Jan 28, 2005
8,327
1,822
Toronto
You want to send a message? Boycott going to games for as many as they cancel. If they "lock us out" 40 games, we "lock them out" for 40 games when they come back. If everybody does this....it sends a message loud and clear. I know it wouldn't happen, but that would be a very clear message.

I usually just watch at a bar, I don't really buy any gear and routinely buy from scalpers for the few games I do attend and might have 1 beer at the game.

The financial impact of me boycotting would be minimal.
 

ACC1224

Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
Aug 19, 2002
73,091
38,156
I'll be down at the ACC Saturday for the holiday skate. If I run into Tannenbaum or Burke I'll voice my displeasure. I'm sure they're just as unhappy about things as I am.
 

Liferleafer

TSN Scrum Lurker
Feb 9, 2011
39,848
13,005
I usually just watch at a bar, I don't really buy any gear and routinely buy from scalpers for the few games I do attend and might have 1 beer at the game.

The financial impact of me boycotting would be minimal.

Oh i understand, and lets face it, we'll all watch on tv when they come back. I'd just like to kick them in the wallet, that's all.
 

Deebo

Registered User
Jan 28, 2005
8,327
1,822
Toronto
I'll be down at the ACC Saturday for the holiday skate. If I run into Tannenbaum or Burke I'll voice my displeasure. I'm sure they're just as unhappy about things as I am.

The GMs and coaches must be going crazy during the lockout.
 

Porn*

Registered User
Mar 6, 2002
36,386
5
In your nightmares
Considering i'm such a huge hockey fan I never thought I would come to the point of not caring if a season is cancelled or not, but this has become my state of mind. I couldn't care less and am waiting for the MLB season to begin.
Yup.

I couldn't care less... this has gone long enough. I'm done.

will I watch the nHL when it comes back? of course... but I can assure you, this strike has taken a big bite out of my interest.
 

TheGroceryStick

Registered User
Jan 19, 2009
13,681
3,309
Ontario Canada
It that really necessary here? I mean I for one do take some solace in the fact that our owner(Larry) was one of the proactive in trying to get a deal done so that there would be hockey this season.

Now if you're a Boston or a Calgary fan then I think you've got a lot more reason to feel betrayed and protest against the NHL. But to be honest, I don't really don't care all that much for other teams fans considering the **** they give us.

I think this is more then necessary here. Regardless if MLSE wants the year to get going at all costs, they are still apart of it. Same with the players; regardless of their views. We are the ones being deprived here; why not show that we care? why not show that we 'give a damn'? Rather then feeding the Bettman troll, who says the witty line of "The fans will be here no matter what"

Your entitled to your own opinion and if you want to go and spend money at the arenas; go for it, show your support! I'm as die hard hockey and NHL fan as they come , but why not show our detest for this lockout? Why not give the money to the bars, that lost just as much? or just watch at home (if you don't have the tickets already purchased)? And if going, why not show a little hate?

Just my opinion. But if you would rather feed Gary's ego, all the power to you.
 

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