Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't we as average citizens faced with the risk of cut-backs in our pay. For example, Air Canada who went through bankruptcy protection had to get all of their employees including pilots to take a significant wage cut. I can assure you that a company like Air Canada will know going forward what % of their revenues/profits are paid out in the form of salaries, does the NHL have that same benefit? Absolutely not.
The bottom line is that this is a business. I'm not opposed to the owners making money nor am I opposed to the players making money. It's about finding an agreement where both parties can make money without killing the other. Tell me something, why can't the players just agree on a % of revenues? You say it's because of mistrust over the reported revenues - then why doesn't the NHLPA take up the leagues offer to hire an independent 3rd party jointly chosen by the NHLPA or the NHL to audit the books? Why has the NHLPA refused to look at every team's books even though the offer has been on the table for several years now? The reason is because if the NHLPA did look through the books and find out that the NHL is in fact losing money, their entire argument would be dead in the water.
All I want is for there to be an agreement between both parties where some level of risk is shared. Not one more than the other but shared. This is a reality in any business. You talk about injuries for players but similar to regular workers, they have insurance that covers their salary during those periods of time. Nevertheless, I give the players full credit because they are able to do something that a very small % of the popuplation are able to do and that is play hockey at a really high level, but does that mean they should be entitled to whatever % of revenues they wish? I think not.
PJStyles
http://hockeyinsight.blogspot.com