It is kind of funny how impacts of the CBA negotiations sneak up on you. Little things nag at you, in our case, the show that Pete Weber and I host, SlapShot Radio is having a heckuva time getting our annual road trip in the bag and set.
Oh sure, we know that we want to go to Dallas on the last night of the regular season… and the sales team with the Stars has been nothing short of wonderful, rolling out a welcome mat for us that other teams wouldn’t even consider. As we get excited, make the arrangements, round up who wants to go… it hits you. What if there’s a lockout?
Will it change the schedule? Possibly…
Will we get our money back if the schedule changes to a point where we can’t go? Yes…
I know… it sounds silly, but these things are on the mind of a lot of people heading into the last few weeks of the CBA… and given the initial positions staked out by the two parties involved, no one is looking out for the lifeblood of the NHL… the fans.
A lot of pundits have put it very simply… split the difference and move on… but, is it really that simple? I guarantee that is one thing that both sides will agree on… no, it is not that simple. The bitterness and rancor that has been missing from this round of negotiations is beginning to slowly appear. The NHLPA (through its media mouthpieces) is reminding the fans that the commissioner said that ticket prices would decline if “cost certainty” was achieved. It was, and they didn’t… you can parse the argument all you want, but the simple fact remains, average ticket prices increased over 25% from pre-lockout prices to a few seasons ago. The owners continue to point at money losing franchises, struggling to keep up under the current CBA as the reason they need to drop the players share so significantly.
The revenue sharing proposal that was put on the table last week by the NHLPA is a interesting start, the proposal the owners made was DOA, but had some things in it that need discussion. NHL owners need to look at revenue sharing that their counterparts participate in with more popular leagues. The NHLPA needs to look at the reality of the sports landscape and figure that a 50/50 split doesn’t look too bad for them… especially when you consider that NHL contracts are guaranteed (unlike the NFL.)
I find myself in the position of getting mad at both sides. I understand that there is no league without the players, fans lay down their money to see them. But then the business side of me kicks in … I also understand that there is no league without owners willing to put their own money on the line, risking their financial future. Not all teams are the Toronto Maple Leafs when it comes to making gobs of cash and not all owners make a ton of money when they sell their franchise… after all, it ain’t the Roaring 90’s anymore.
It’s a symbiotic relationship boys… neither exists without the other. The sooner this is learned, the better off the league is and the quicker we get back to hockey.
--------------------------------------
Random Notes
- Glad to see the Predators pick up Scott Hannen, solid veteran add to shore up the blueline.
- Great news on the Mike Fisher extension as well. The core is being locked up for a solid window of competition.
- Reports of a good turnout for last night’s Skate of the Union Town Hall meeting.
- Congratulations to former Pred Scott Hartnell, he re-signed in Philly for six more years.
- Someone should tell Jeremy Roenick to not be so shy about sharing his opinion. In an interview with Josh Rimer on nextsportstar.com, he ripped long term contracts, calling them “contract suicide.”
- A union for junior hockey? Yikes!
--------------------------------------
ROAD TRIP!!!! Update!
We are heading to the Lone Star State! SlapShot Radio will be road tripping to Dallas for the season finale on April 13th. We have made arrangements for tickets and are working on the other logistics, bus, hotel, etc... depending on the MLB Schedule, we may even try to catch a Rangers game!
Circle the date and join the SlapShot Radio crew for a road trip to Dallas... 4/13/13. More information to come!
We just ordered our tickets… to order yours please contact Group Sales Manager, Stormye Stevens at (214) 387-5635, mention you're with the SlapShot Radio Road Trip and she'll get you set up.
--------------------------------------
You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!
Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the
link.
-------------------------------------
On the next
SlapShot Radio
We are on summer hiatus and will return with our first show on October 3rd at 7pm on 102.5 the Game!
Preseason advertising packages are available… if you would like to reach our large and highly engaged fan base, please reach out… email
[email protected] for more information.
Click
here to download or listen to any of our previous season’s podcasts.
-------------------------------------
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information,
click here.
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
Join the Discussion:
»