EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Most of the fans came back during the big 98 season when McGwire and Sosa had the home run chase. The world paied attention to baseball again. I really don't see anyone having the effect that McGwire and Sosa did during that run. Hockey may have suffered permanant damage here. And the sad thing about all this in my eyes... the owners of the teams are losing LESS money but NOT having the teams play than if they did play. Don't buy the conventional wisdom. Sosa and McGwire were not chiefly responsible for most of the fans returning, nor was Cal Ripkin. While I'm on the subject, Ruth's HR explosion occured BEFORE the public learned about the Black Sox scandal. I'd like to know what Al thinks about the PA's sudden change of stance. I'm disappointed to see the cap, but the foremost concern is getting something done, so hockey fans can watch hockey. I'm glad to see it happen. Unions, yet again, seem to overstate their worth. I would rank the NHLPA's actions this year as being SLIGHTLY better than the infamous MLB Umpire's Unions disastrous mass resignation plan --- but this is bad. It might well kill the NHL --- it's hard to justify putting them on TV, considering how poor the ratings are compared to almost everything else ESPN airs in its place. Slightly better? The umpires utilized a disasterous negotiation tactic. The NHL players attempted to prevent MAJOR cuts into their benefits and salaries. As for ESPN, fuck them. They never did anything to promote the NHL, and then they trumpet how much better their replacement programming does. Well, of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 As for ESPN, fuck them. They never did anything to promote the NHL, and then they trumpet how much better their replacement programming does. Well, of course. I'd love to see NBC draw decent numbers with the NHL by the time the current TV contract expires, just to show Disney that a properly promoted league can actually get ratings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ether Report post Posted February 16, 2005 A 28 game season works for me because every game will actually mean something. My thoughts exactly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 The NHLPA rejected it and suggested $49 million. So obviously the next step should be for the owners to go up to $45 million. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted February 16, 2005 I say they settle at 45 Mill. On another note, I really dont give to shits about whats these guys agree on, as long as they make the game better and not the boring trash it currenlty is. This game needs a major makeover, and that is far more important than the what the Cap is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dogbert 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Well, that's it. Any hope should be tossed by the wayside now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 I think they should go ahead and cancel next season while they're at it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Now why couldn't Bettman set a deadline date in like December? If they do settle a deal, the league would come off as a joke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted February 16, 2005 I think Bettman conters at 45 and Bob accepts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Bettman won't counter as high as $45 million. I say he waits until about 30 minutes before his press conference tomorrow, and then calls the NHLPA and offers about $43.5 million, they say they'll take $44 million and boom, we have a deal. Even at this point though, I wouldn't put it past them to cancel the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vigo 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 If they're this close to getting a deal and they cancel the season then they're even bigger morons then I thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted February 16, 2005 If they're this close to getting a deal and they cancel the season then they're even bigger morons then I thought. My thoughts exactly. That and they will be fired in like a day. Imagine how pissed you would be as an owner if they are only apart by 5 million and Bettman still says screw it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted February 16, 2005 http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=115048 For the latest update as of Tuesday Night Midnight Eastern. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Goodenow is going to make me puke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Like Aaron Brown said tonight many people will be asking, why didn't agree to this deal 6 months ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 This sums up my thoughts. Fucking make the deal, assholes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Id say the same about the owners.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vigo 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 I have very little sympathy for the players. First it was with the salary cap deal. Every job in the world has some form of salary cap. You don't go around making what you want, you get pay range like $40,000 - $60,000. Yet the players don't get that for some reason. The second thing with the salary cap is that they accepted. They knew they weren't going to win this time like they did in 1994 yet they still wasted months and months stating there's no way in hell they'll accept a salary cap. The thing about hockey players is that a lot of them just don't get simple economics probably because while they were growing up they were more focused on hockey than education. I know this for a fact as I know a lot of guys who play on teams and hockey is their number one priority. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 I'd argue most people in general don't get simple economics. (don't come in Popick we've got it under control. I think when someone says "economics" it's like it teleports him here.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 I don't get sports economics completely. If there is a salary cap at whatever number, won't Detroit, Colorado, NYR, Toronto, etc. be hurt by this. Is there a luxury tax and what is that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 A luxury tax would force teams with a payroll over the limit to pay a percentage of the overrun, I believe, back to the league in the form of revenue sharing. This generally only applies to the Yankees. Either the whole salary or just the overrun, I forgot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Man in Blak 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Bettman: "It is imperative that we conclude our negotiations today and come to an agreement, as we have already squandered sixteen days of Black History Month." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted February 16, 2005 You know what'd get me, a non fan, to become a HUGE fan of professional hockey? If it were played outdoors on frozen lakes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cosbywasmurdered Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Pond Hockey is where it's at. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 As for ESPN, fuck them. They never did anything to promote the NHL, and then they trumpet how much better their replacement programming does. Well, of course. I couldn't agree more ... the point out that poker gets bigger ratings, but don't mention that they show poker at the same time every week (which they don't do with hockey), advertise poker during their big shows/sporting events (which they don't do with hockey) and make lame-ass TV series dealing with poker (which they don't do with hockey). I'll fully admit that I'm biased, but if they gave hockey half as much attention as they do basketball, it's ratings would improve greatly. Now why couldn't Bettman set a deadline date in like December? I think they did. Late December was the first. Then I think they had 2 different deadlines in January. And now this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Gary Bettman, kiss my ass. Owners, kiss my ass. Players, kiss my ass. NHL, we hardly knew ye. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck Stanley Cup has been cancelled by: 1919: Massive influenza epidemic that KILLED the players 2005: Salary cap?!?! NOOOOOOOO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 If the Cup is canceled this year, it'll mean that there really is a Red Sox curse: both of the last 2 times the Red Sox have won the World Series the Cup was canceled the following season. Needless to say, I hope the Red Sox never ever win another World Series. Go Yankees! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 They've gotta find a way to award the Stanley Cup. Anything is better than nothing. Anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2005 Shut your fucking hole, Bettman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
