What's your opinion of the NHL Lock Out?

[Orest]

Once again $$$$ is the issue.

I usually watch the playoffs and the Stanley Cup.

Intersting information from the following link.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...680/index.html

NHL management claims it needs changes in the labor contract because teams are losing money, $273 million in 2002-03 and $224 million last season, according to the league.

The NHL's average salary has risen from $733,000 at the time of the last lockout to $1,830,126 last season, according to the NHL players' association. While NHL revenue rose from $732 million in 1993-94 to $1.996 billion in 2002-3, the league says that player costs have increased from 57 percent of revenue to 75 percent over that period, figures the union disputes.

Unlike the other major sports, the NHL's revenue from broadcasting is relatively small, $449 million from national and local contracts and new media in 2002-03, according to the league. The five games of the Stanley Cup finals on ABC averaged just a 2.6 rating last spring and the two on ESPN a 1.2 cable rating, according to Nielsen Media Research. This year's Super Bowl had a 41.3 rating on CBS, while last year's World Series averaged a 12.8 on Fox and this year's NBA finals an 11.5 on ABC.

[WarMachine]

Who really cares? Hockey hasnt been the same in a few years. Besides, Its football season.........Go Skins


MC

[HighCap56]

Sounds like the "root of all evil" has taken over this sport as well.

At least you get to see some Pro's do what they do best, and often get to watch them beat the crap outta each other.

It's the best of both worlds.

[Talapia]

Never been a hockey fan, but I think that
it would be smart for the players to look
at the NFL and the salary cap system
that they have in place. It works for
all concerned. Hockey has been on
a steady decline both in terms of
attendance and revenues from TV.
I kind of have to go with the owners
on this one. I think that they really
are loosing money and that they players
need to realize this and negotiate a new
contract that will work for everybody.

[jay b]

Who cares?? To me it's not sport anymore, just entertainment. There all just like any other "pro" sport only after the $$ and that's owners and players alike. I'd just as soon go watch a Junior Training League, High School or College game in any sport. Besides do any of them FISH??

[SaltyDog]

Actually, most of them do hunt and fish. What it has to do with anything, I'm not sure.

[jay b]

Nothing, it's just BS on a fishing board.

[pensfan]

a LOCKOUT HAD TO HAPPEN, this sport is in dire need of fixin, I love the game but I can wait a year for a better (less expensive) product. Go Pens

[murphman]

Less teams, shorter season, lower salaries. I still love my Flyers and will miss them this year.

[pensfan]

Originally Posted by jay b

Who cares?? To me it's not sport anymore, just entertainment. There all just like any other "pro" sport only after the $$ and that's owners and players alike. I'd just as soon go watch a Junior Training League, High School or College game in any sport. Besides do any of them FISH??

Do any of them fish!!! They're mostly from Canada, probably part Eskimo, I'm sure they gew up eatin fish and gnawin on Caribou bones.

[johnnyleo11]

The NHL might be the fourth big league professional sport in the US. That being said, their share of the professional sport market isn't that big. The NHL thinks that it can compete as if it's in the same marketing league like MLB, when in reality it's more like MLS. The owners alienated a lot of true and would be lifelong fans back in the early to mid 90's when they moved hockey teams from the traditional hockey grounds to places like Phoenix and Raleigh. These were places that were mad with hockey. Unfortunately, not all hockey towns have had the opportunity to acquire an expansion franchise into a league with already too many teams. The Jets are gone, as are the Whalers, Nordiques, and North Stars. All of those teams went to towns where hockey isn't even on the list for HS Varsity sports minus the Nordiques.

[OldBay]

The NHL does not generate the TV revenue that other sports do. Hockey does not translate well to TV - the puck is too small, and the action is too fast. The NHL is selling a product. The players are tools used to provide the product. The players don't realize that the product they provide is not worth the price they are asking for it. Contraction would serve the league well. I guess the players will have more time this year to get into fist fights with the other hockey dads.

[Shoebag22]

If there is a complete lockout this season, the nhl might fold. For the casual observers it is going to be out of sight and out of mind.
Most of the players that I have read an interview on have said that they will take cuts in their salary... it seems that the NHLPA is doing a poor job of representing the players. A cap needs to be put in place and that is the bottom line.