After two of the most profitable, popular seasons of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 the NHL was ready to break into the fan base of baseball and football this year. Events such as the "Winter Classic" played every New Years Day and the excitement of shootouts has revamped professional hockey into one of the most exciting sports to watch and attend. While the MLB, NFL and NBA have constantly had labor disputes and popularized financial issues, the NHL, until recently, seemed to be the only professional sport free of economic downfalls. So much for that reputation, as once again the greediness of the owners separates the players from the ice.
The impact on the sport of hockey has already been drastic and will continue to get worse. Recently the NHL cancelled the first 82 games of this upcoming season. According to a recent article from TSN the lockout has cost the league $100 million dollars to this point and the number continues to climb. Looking beyond the dollar signs for a minute, the players are beginning to leave the country as well:
"With the industry bracing for another long work stoppage, players have scattered around the globe. More than 100 have already found jobs in Europe -- roughly 15 per cent of the union's total membership -- and that number is expected to climb now that meaningful games are gone."
Not only will this be detrimental for the teams who are losing their superstar players, the fact that athletes are signing with European teams indicates that this lockout could be around for a while.
Who is to blame? The owners? The players? I blame the capitalistic system and mindset that dominates American business. Most corporations will go to extremes in order to maximize profits- including professional sports. In a discussion of a more political topic, a recent blog post on That's Annoying highlights the issues of a tax loophole abused by California corporations. The author states that, "corporations, whose goal it is to make as large of a profit as possible, they will choose whichever formula will result in a lower tax rate." While the overall goal to make money by business and corporations will never go away, there needs to be a shift of primary focus to improve the world and lives of all citizens. With dollar signs preventing the NHL season from happening, the league may lose much more than just one season of games- fans and respect for the sport. Sorry hockey fans, this lockout looks to be a stage-5 clinger.
Considering this is the 3rd lockout under Gary Bettman, I think his business oriented actions have come into much criticism and rightfully so. It is difficult to blame the players when the week leading up to the first talks with the CBA, the owners and Bettman were bragging about the large increase in revenue. As a fan, this appears to be a matter of only caring about the bottom line.
ReplyDeleteIt is also ridiculous that the NHL is pitting the players against the fans, which they will then have to market once they come to an agreement.
One of the newest claims that the NHL is looking out for smaller markets is crap in my opinion, there are plenty of markets that these teams would be successful in. While it is cumbersome to move a franchise, maybe that is an option the NHL should be focusing on rather than how to get more fans in Phoenix to watch their shitty team.
sorry...I hope you're not a Coyotes fan....
ReplyDelete