Fan101
Registered User
I Have been wondering to myself who has the most to lose from this lockout and would be in the weakest and most likely position to "Blink" or "Give":
OWNERS: If the financial losses are as high as they say, a canceled season means they are saving money; since they are only paying office staff and scouts etc. For owners who want to sell franchises, the lockout uncertainty makes it difficult to sell one, but franchise values have been low since many have been financial losing propositions:
HIGH PAID PLAYERS: i.e. #1 & #2 d-men or top line forwards. The top earners are losing significant income, but many of them are already wealthy millionaires, so they can afford to sit back and enjoy a season off or play in Europe where their incomes are lower but there may be more enjoyment to play the game, especially for the native European players. They also know that when play resumes, their jobs are guaranteed since they are the top franchise "fan drawers".
ESPN: With all of the Super Bowl coverage, Winter Baseball News, NBA Basketball, NCAA Sports etc., I don't think they are experiencing any financial loss at all.
AMERICAN TV Network: Sorry but they have not made much money in the past from the Saturday afternoon broadcasts.
American Cable Co's: The local NHL team broadcast represents a significant nightly audience for them and advertiser revenue. However the likelyhood of people canceling their cable service is insignificant. Most families retain cable service to watch other sports, news, movies etc.
AVERAGE PAID NHL PLAYERS: i.e #3 & #4 d-men, 2nd and 3rd line forwards. Since they make up the majority of the NHL rosters, they know that their careers may be most in jeopardy. Loss of a season means significant loss of income. However once the season resumes they are guaranteed jobs, however GM's may move the higher paid ones to smaller market teams where their bargaining positon for future contracts are weaker. Just look at the fact that Glen Sather "fire-saled" all of his players last spring in anticipation of a future salary cap. Although they are being denied their NHL income of between $750K and $2 MIL, many are playing in Europe with six figure incomes and no income tax due to their overseas employmant status.
LOW PAID NHL PLAYERS: i.e #5 & #6 d-men, 4th line forwards. They are a similar position the Average Paid players except the opportunity to play in Europe is limited by European team roster rules. Their lower salaries make them a comfortable fit for most team salary structures when and if the season returns.
CANADIAN NATIONAL TV: Yes i believe they may big losers because NHL Hockey is the biggest TV Sport and a big part of Canada's culture and tradition. However Canada's fans are the most fed up with the NHL's loss of Canadian identity, "Americanization" by big money and dominance by American franchises. THe Canadian owners and media have much to gain by a salary cap, especially for small markets like Edmonton and Calgary.
Contrary to what they say, NHL Hockey is a Major League Sport because NHL players are Major League Athletes. Hockey is also a #1 Major League Arena Sport like NBA Basketball. Hockey is #1 Major League National TV Sport in Canada because of it's tradtion and fan base. Hockey is NOT a Major League National TV Sport in the US, but wealthy Metropolitan Franchises like NY Rangers, Philly and Chicago consistantly sell out their arenas and draw significant cable revenue.
Obviously all sides have to come up with a solution which guarantees the long term survival of team franchises and identity. Hockey is unique because of it's strong identity as a sport in Canada, The United States and Europe. As a revenue sport in the States, Hockey has to compete with the NFL which now extends to February, A Major League Baseball season which draws fan interest for 12 months, the NFL April Draft, NCAA Basketball March Madness, The Winter Olympics every 4th year, and an NBA season & playoffs which goes head-to-head with the NHL.
OWNERS: If the financial losses are as high as they say, a canceled season means they are saving money; since they are only paying office staff and scouts etc. For owners who want to sell franchises, the lockout uncertainty makes it difficult to sell one, but franchise values have been low since many have been financial losing propositions:
HIGH PAID PLAYERS: i.e. #1 & #2 d-men or top line forwards. The top earners are losing significant income, but many of them are already wealthy millionaires, so they can afford to sit back and enjoy a season off or play in Europe where their incomes are lower but there may be more enjoyment to play the game, especially for the native European players. They also know that when play resumes, their jobs are guaranteed since they are the top franchise "fan drawers".
ESPN: With all of the Super Bowl coverage, Winter Baseball News, NBA Basketball, NCAA Sports etc., I don't think they are experiencing any financial loss at all.
AMERICAN TV Network: Sorry but they have not made much money in the past from the Saturday afternoon broadcasts.
American Cable Co's: The local NHL team broadcast represents a significant nightly audience for them and advertiser revenue. However the likelyhood of people canceling their cable service is insignificant. Most families retain cable service to watch other sports, news, movies etc.
AVERAGE PAID NHL PLAYERS: i.e #3 & #4 d-men, 2nd and 3rd line forwards. Since they make up the majority of the NHL rosters, they know that their careers may be most in jeopardy. Loss of a season means significant loss of income. However once the season resumes they are guaranteed jobs, however GM's may move the higher paid ones to smaller market teams where their bargaining positon for future contracts are weaker. Just look at the fact that Glen Sather "fire-saled" all of his players last spring in anticipation of a future salary cap. Although they are being denied their NHL income of between $750K and $2 MIL, many are playing in Europe with six figure incomes and no income tax due to their overseas employmant status.
LOW PAID NHL PLAYERS: i.e #5 & #6 d-men, 4th line forwards. They are a similar position the Average Paid players except the opportunity to play in Europe is limited by European team roster rules. Their lower salaries make them a comfortable fit for most team salary structures when and if the season returns.
CANADIAN NATIONAL TV: Yes i believe they may big losers because NHL Hockey is the biggest TV Sport and a big part of Canada's culture and tradition. However Canada's fans are the most fed up with the NHL's loss of Canadian identity, "Americanization" by big money and dominance by American franchises. THe Canadian owners and media have much to gain by a salary cap, especially for small markets like Edmonton and Calgary.
Contrary to what they say, NHL Hockey is a Major League Sport because NHL players are Major League Athletes. Hockey is also a #1 Major League Arena Sport like NBA Basketball. Hockey is #1 Major League National TV Sport in Canada because of it's tradtion and fan base. Hockey is NOT a Major League National TV Sport in the US, but wealthy Metropolitan Franchises like NY Rangers, Philly and Chicago consistantly sell out their arenas and draw significant cable revenue.
Obviously all sides have to come up with a solution which guarantees the long term survival of team franchises and identity. Hockey is unique because of it's strong identity as a sport in Canada, The United States and Europe. As a revenue sport in the States, Hockey has to compete with the NFL which now extends to February, A Major League Baseball season which draws fan interest for 12 months, the NFL April Draft, NCAA Basketball March Madness, The Winter Olympics every 4th year, and an NBA season & playoffs which goes head-to-head with the NHL.
