NataSatan666 said:
Whats funny is how some of the more ignorant posters actually think the players have lost 1 red cent. Before any deal would be agreed to, the owners would have to pony up some of last years "salaries" before the professionals would take to the ice.
You are dreaming in technocolour.
The owners are just playing a stalling game, and the players can stall just as long as the owners. The players have not built new buildings to play in, or are going to lose sponsers.
The owners can stall for much longer than the players.
Losses in revenues will simply be reflected in payments to players. Even in the most restrictive offer, the owners offered 53% to the PA, so they PA suffers more with each dollar lost.
Maybe they won't make their millions in other leagues, BUT will make more than enough to survive.
The players have always been free to ply their trade in other leagues without having to suffer the indignity of making 10 times as much in the NHL.
And they won't let the owners steal from them again like they did from 1913-1994
Hope they enjoy decertification and the return to the "good old days"
Let teams suspend operations, the players of that team will certainly be able to then go to court and get the signed salary they agreed to during the last CBA. Since the team is now not "in a lock out situation"
The number of players under contract is limited. They'll have to make their case in court, but the NHL may contend that the contracts, like the franchise, are merely suspended and will be honoured when they re-open the doors.
You can say the game is the product, but I doubt the game is capable of bringing in 2.1 billion dollars on its own. If thats the case, then the AHL, ECHL must be making billions too.
Revenues without profits are useless. If the league generates $1B, but 10% profits they are far better off than 2.1B with 10% losses.
The players are the product and with no product you have no business period
PA members are NOT the product. They are simply the hockey players who provided a service under the old CBA. If the PA members refuse to provide their services when the doors reopen, then other hockey players will gladly take their place.
We'll soon see whether it is easier to replace hockey talent or the businessmen who provide the league for them to play in.