So here we are just 2 days away from another NHL lockout. Initially I was ambivalent since it has become obvious the Maple Leafs will not only miss the playoffs but have a shot at being the worst in the league unless more changes are made. I will give my reasons when the season actually begins. As the deadline approaches I realize that watching a bad Leafs team is better than no hockey. If you are passionate about hockey then watching terrible hockey at least makes you angry. No hockey just leaves you with a void.
So will the two sides settle in the next two days? Not a chance. The current negotiations are not focused on the economic survival of the league or even the smaller market teams. They aren't focused on resolving some systemic problems in the game. The negotiations are a just two greedy parties wanting the biggest slice of the pie they can grab. The league generates $3.3 billion in income which is up from $2.1 billion when the current contract began 7 years ago. So both sides have gotten richer. Over those 7 years the players' share has grown from $1.2 billion to $1.9 billion. The owners would like to cut that back to $1.6 billion and pocket another $300 million.
So will the owners' approach help the teams not making money? Not really. Much of the $1.4 billion in income on the owners' side goes to just 10 teams. It would be great if the additional income would be used to help the weaker teams but without a robust income equalization scheme the extra income will likely be absorbed by the big 10.
So we fans are to sit by the sidelines and let these rich business people and athlete fight over how much richer they want to be. Wake me up in November when it's over.
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