363 - 369 Perspectives

Student #: 10096622

COMS 369- L02

            The 2012 NHL lockout is a touchy subject for many. Hockey fans are missing their beloved sport and they’re angry. They are angry with the players, angry with the owners and angry with commissioner, Gary Bettman who seems to be taking most of the heat. Who is to blame for the NHL lockout is a subject of great debate and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to separate fact from opinion. So to began, lets consider the facts.

            According to ESPN, the lockout commenced September 16, due to the fact an agreement could not be reached between the NHL owners and the players to replace the previous collective bargaining agreement. The NHL owners originally sought to lower the player’s earnings from 57% to 46% of hockey-related revenue. However, since their original proposal the NHL owners have suggested a 50/50 split, which was also denied by players. As many as 10 NHL teams are struggling to break even, commissioner Bettman tells ESPN, “in these economic times there is a need to retrench.” Nevertheless, Players don’t think any belt-tightening is necessary, mentioning annual industry revenue is on the incline, growing from $2.1 billion to 3.3 billion since the last deal was made. To date, no agreement has been reached in regards to revenue allocation. Both sides stand firm, the players saying they want to see a fair deal and the owners allegedly unable to give them one.

            In deciding whose side to take on this debate what is “fair” should be considered. Players feel it is not fair they work for a lesser amount of money when the profit of the industry is increasing. This is true, but they are not taking into account the teams that are financially struggling. Bettman’s job is to make sure the system works and if he sees some areas of the system failing due to financial reasons, he is going to do his best to keep them afloat. If players care about the sport and their jobs, shouldn’t they too try and keep the best interest of the league in mind? In fairness to the fans, the players and the league as a whole, the big picture needs to be considered.

            Keeping the league running smoothly should be in everyone’s best interest and it is clear through the player’s unwillingness to settle they are not considering the interest of the league. With this in mind, maybe anger shouldn’t be directed at Bettman, but rather the players. The players attempt to redirect anger from them by airing messages to their fans starring prominent NHL figures like Sidney Crosby, expressing his desire to simply play hockey. They act like it’s simple; all they want to do is play hockey for their fans. The truth is, it is far from simple and they shouldn’t try and trick their fans into thinking it is.

            If NHL players really wanted to be on the ice, they would be. It is clearly much more complicated than they make it seem. It makes sense they wouldn’t want to air a message that makes them out to be greedy and discourteous to the fans that fund their careers. This is why fans should take into consideration the message player’s action’s send, rather than their words. Unfortunately, the message players are sending to fans by asking for more money than Bettman can offer is not a favorable one.

            It is important to remember, without fans these players would not have a career. The healthy paychecks these men receive come out of the pockets of fans. Therefore, for players to simply say they feel for their fans because they too are missing hockey, seems completely ungrateful knowing the only thing keeping them off the ice is money. This battle over money makes hockey appear to be primarily about profit, which devalues all the wonderful things about hockey as a sport. For this reason, hockey players should feel guilty. Guilty they are attempting to increase their already generous paycheck, rather than giving back to those who have given them the opportunity to do what they love professionally.

            It is clear I feel that the loyalty of fans, players and owner’s should be with the league as a whole. If the league runs smoothly everyone wins, this means players may need to accept a pay cut in order for the league to continue to thrive. The more players fight this, the more likely it is they will loose their fans. Why would fans want support hockey when it’s becoming more about money than bringing people together, teamwork and hope? Without fans hockey is not possible. This is why players need to consider revised monetary offers as a means to keep the league successfully running, keep their fans and their jobs.

For more information:

Lupul, J. (2012). NHL Lockout 2012: AN NHL Player’s Unadulterated Opinion On Why There’s A Lockout. Retrieved from http://ca.askmen.com/sports/fanatic/nhl-lockout-2012.html

Blum, R. (2012). NHL Lockout: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from http://news.yahoo.com/nhl-lockout-know-162929731--nhl.html

Associated Press. (2012) Time of Future Negotiations Uncertain. Retrieved from http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8615644/2012-nhl-lockout-league-union-meet-small-informal-lunch-talks