poetica Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Ahhh Poetica...It would be like you to find a journalist that hates owners/ billionaires as you do Jack Todd likes to become the Little engine that could face up the Mighty rich...and use his journalistic talents or lack there of to misinform the public....It was like reading one of your posts. If it were actually bias maybe it would have been a good read... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo2337 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 This isn't about make whole any more, because the difference doesn't make whole lot of cents. Its about stomping over contracting rights and the owners having the upper hand. If the players don't play again, those franchises are worthless. Even if somehow new scab players were introduced, it would be billions in losses. The best thing I get out of *this* lockout as a fan, is Bettman might very well sink this time for the better of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucksnihilist Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Sorry to all those who have related to this. truly... I am sorry for you. unions weren't made to represent millionaires, in protection against the billionaires. unions were made to represent those who could not afford to represent themselves. anyways - what fan wants more free agency for players anyways? let's analyze this for a sec... do you want your stars going to larger markets sooner or later (van is a small market, if you don't know). it is a complete anomalie that van and the canadian cities are prosperous - really they shouldn't be. by population and tv audience we suck. it is only cause the NHL is so poorly run and the world economic crisis with canadians still having money to blow, that is the only reason it supposedly looks good for us right now. illusory. going to disappear. believe me, we want parity. cause we are one of the have-not teams in 10 years from now, when the US is energy self-sufficient, and their economy is blazing (er... debt crisis notwithstanding.. ahem.. cough cough, but then we're all fracked). those who live in glass houses.... so what the owners want is probably actually good for us. we're just too stupid to understand that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucksnihilist Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 poetica, poetica, wherefore art thou poetica... your name is poem, but your thoughts are black do unto others as thou would have done unto you if you can hold that thought or do you know how to have any fun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballisticsports. Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Really why should anyone care about Billionaires fighting with Milionaires? How can either side be in the right? They are both greedy and selfish Except for the Billionaires, without us fans (they were rich without hockey,some even richer without it), there would be alot less Millionaires What is the fan, that is responsible for this Leagues survival, as much as any owner (who provides the vehicle and opportunity for it to exist), and any player who provides the entertainment) have to gain from this ???? They talk about each others needs and in passing mention the fan (as pr only) as both sides show, they dont care about the sport or the fans I am a Canadian who lived hockey,play it. In 94 I was wondering what I would do without it. This time around if I dont care anymore like I once did,how are lesser involved fans going to react ? I think they underestimated the impact this will have Maybe the owners realize that now,and refuse to give Guaranteed Income, when they know, they will not be getting that I bet it will be a long time before the average Joe,wil want to ever go to a game again We will mosty just watch it,when on the tube now,maybe a good % wont plan there week around games anymore either,and ony watch when they have nothing better to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poetica Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 If it's true that we are going to lose the season over $200mil spread out over 5 yrs, then that is indeed very sad. Players need to cave and work out some kind of strategy to recoup their losses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poetica Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 poetica, poetica, wherefore art thou poetica... your name is poem, but your thoughts are black do unto others as thou would have done unto you if you can hold that thought or do you know how to have any fun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamJamIam Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 anyways - what fan wants more free agency for players anyways? let's analyze this for a sec... do you want your stars going to larger markets sooner or later (van is a small market, if you don't know). it is a complete anomalie that van and the canadian cities are prosperous - really they shouldn't be. by population and tv audience we suck. it is only cause the NHL is so poorly run and the world economic crisis with canadians still having money to blow, that is the only reason it supposedly looks good for us right now. illusory. going to disappear. believe me, we want parity. cause we are one of the have-not teams in 10 years from now, when the US is energy self-sufficient, and their economy is blazing (er... debt crisis notwithstanding.. ahem.. cough cough, but then we're all fracked). those who live in glass houses.... so what the owners want is probably actually good for us. we're just too stupid to understand that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drybone Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 poetica, poetica, wherefore art thou poetica... your name is poem, but your thoughts are black do unto others as thou would have done unto you if you can hold that thought or do you know how to have any fun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drybone Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I think you should spend more time with your nose in an econ textbook and less with it stuck to the TV watching CNN. American politicians have been saying how it wants North America to become energy self-sufficient. But the States have mostly coal and natural gas. They get the vast majority of their oil and uranium from us (and much of their natural gas because it's cheaper). We also export electricity to them from surplus hydro and nuclear power. The US has serious energy problems. Coupled with it's health care and education systems, it's economic problems are going to be long-lasting. If our dollar loses value in the next few decades, it will be because of a massive breakdown in the Canadian economy. It's not happening. Not only do Canadians have the money to spend on hockey, they have a far greater desire to pay for it. It's not an anomaly that the Canadian teams are doing well. We've simply that their profits have been under-represented in the past relative to some American franchises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashian Kassian Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Poetica is just one of the die hards who honestly thought the union was ENTITLED to be 50% partners with the guys who own 100% of the league. Its just a naive point of view when you have never run a business or seen life outside of being provided for. In spite of his union going down in flames, he is holding vigil right to the end. Spinning away from his original point of view further every day. I guess if the union makes any deal at all he will try to claim 'victory' because Fehr got .0001% of what he was hired to get in 2010 It makes for good theater anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiDeN Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I hate this lockout, but I love a good poem They've both got their c*ck out tryin to show'em Who's greedier than whom, so we might as well chuck Them in to a room till they both give a... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 ... unions weren't made to represent millionaires, in protection against the billionaires. unions were made to represent those who could not afford to represent themselves. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashian Kassian Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I hate this lockout, but I love a good poem They've both got their c*ck out tryin to show'em Who's greedier than whom, so we might as well chuck Them in to a room till they both give a... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthMelvin Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 You guys should tweet Fehr and tell him to get the NHLPA to watch what they say online tweets FB ect...lol Bolland is a big dummy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngould21 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 You guys should tweet Fehr and tell him to get the NHLPA to watch what they say online tweets FB ect...lol Bolland is a big dummy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shift-4 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 You should tweet your buddy Jimmy D, to watch what he says, bigger dummy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Sikes Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 This. He's just their puppet and doesn't have the ability to run this league the way it should be. Too many owners want things their way even if it's not helpful to the league and this is no exception, either with the CBA negotiations or keeping Bettman around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckinontario Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Just posted this bit from a brand-spanking-new TSN web article in the Decertification thread, figured I'd put it here, too: LEGAL LOOK: A PRIMER ON NHLPA DECERTIFICATION ERIC MACRAMALLA, SPECIAL TO TSN.CA 11/26/2012 11:53:40 AM With talks seemingly stalled, we are hearing the NHLPA and players are considering decertification as their next option. NBA commissioner David Stern characterized decertification as triggering a 'nuclear winter.' Decertification has also been called an AK-47. It's a pretty dramatic tool and can have serious repercussions. What is Decertification? It's unlawful for competitors to get together and fix the marketplace. If they do so, they open themselves up to antitrust lawsuits. This applies to the NHL, because the 30 team owners are competitors and they get together and place restrictions on the NHL marketplace. Things like a salary cap, free agency restrictions and rookie pay are all on their face antitrust violations. Another thing that is an antitrust violation: the owners (as competitors) getting together and agreeing to lockout the players. However, since these restrictions are inside the protective bubble that is the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the NHL is protected and the players can't sue for these antitrust violations. So the CBA insulates the NHL from antitrust lawsuits. That's where decertification comes in. It refers to the NHL players revoking the NHLPA's authority to bargain on their behalf and effectively blows up the Union. And that leads to the important part - by decertifying, the CBA rule protecting the NHL against antitrust lawsuits may no longer apply and players are now free to sue the NHL for antitrust violations. So decertification is like the pin that bursts the protective CBA bubble. The first antitrust violation the players would tackle in court would be to have the illegal boycott that is the NHL lockout declared unlawful and lifted. Are Decertification and Disclaimer of Interest The Same? No. These terms are used interchangeably but are not the same thing. Decertification refers to the players voting to no longer have the NHLPA represent it. It requires the players to vote on decertification and then to subsequently have the National Labor Relations Board validate decertification. Disclaiming interest occurs when the Union terminates its right to represent the players. It's a less formal process than decertification and only requires the Union to renounce representation of the players. It's easier to do and it takes less time to re-form the Union afterwards. While they are different, the net effect is the same: the Union is dissolved and the players are free to sue for antitrust violations. Why Would the Players Decertify? NHL players hope that the threat of antitrust litigation will pressure the NHL to settle on more favourable terms. So Unions are dissolved in these types of negotiations with a view to extracting leverage in CBA negotiations. In the short term, the threat of a lockout being lifted by way of a court order may give the NHL the incentive to consider settlement. The players could also sue for antitrust violations like the salary cap and free agency restrictions. Antitrust litigation can be a powerful weapon as it can result in the award of treble damages, which refers to three times the actual damages. Simply put, antitrust litigation may result in catastrophic monetary damages awarded against the league. We are potentially looking at hundreds of millions of dollars. What's After Decertification? Once the NHLPA is decertified, the next step would be for the players to file a lawsuit asking a court to end the lockout on the basis that it's unlawful. If the players are successful, the NHL would appeal the court's decision. Ultimately, if the players win and the lockout is deemed unlawful, the NHL would need to resume operations. Would The NHL Have Any Defences? Expect the NHL to argue that the NHLPA's decertification is a sham. They would say that it's nothing more than an opportunistic and transparent attempt to extract leverage in CBA negotiations. Decertification is a serious move, and it should not be akin to turning a light switch on and off when it's convenient. Decertification is a far more formal process than disclaiming interest, and as a result may not be as vulnerable to a sham argument. The NHL could also maintain that federal labor law prevents courts from issuing orders that end lockouts. And there is a precedent for that. That's what the Eighth Circuit Appeals Court ruled in the Tom Brady case, where the players were looking to have the lockout lifted. In that case, the Appeals Court said that the NFL lockout should stay in place because a federal statute called the Norris-LaGuardia Act prevents federal courts from issuing injunctions during labor disputes to end work stoppages. This decision is important for the NHL. However, it doesn't mean that the NHL would win based on this decision. It's of limited value. While it lifted the lockout, the Appeals Court actually didn't rule on whether the lockout was legal. Had the NFL players pursued the case, it's possible that the lockout could have been declared illegal by the Court. As well, Eighth Circuit decisions are binding on courts within the Eighth Circuit – but not other courts. If the players took the lawsuit to a different circuit, they may stand a better chance. As for this circuit talk, in the U.S., the Courts of Appeal cover their own individual circuits. For example, the Eighth Circuit Appeals Court handles cases from places like Minnesota and Nebraska. Where Would The Players File A Lawsuit? Well it's unlikely to be the Eighth Circuit. The first thing the players would ask for would be to have the lockout lifted and we know that the Eighth Circuit based on the Brady decision might well say no. So the key for the players would be to file the lawsuit in a circuit that is more player friendly. That means they could well file in the Ninth Circuit, which, in part, handles cases from California. This circuit is known to be more progressive and pro-player. Could The NHL File A Lawsuit First? The NHL could move pre-emptively - and they probably should if they feel the threat of litigation is real. By filing first and doing so in a jurisdiction that both sides are connected to, it makes it more difficult for the players to have their case heard in a sympathetic circuit like the Ninth Circuit. For the NHL, they could look to file in the Second Circuit, which handles cases, in part, out of New York. That circuit has more owner friendly decisions. In fact, that's precisely what the NBA did faced with the possibility of the NBPA dissolving itself. The NBA went to court first and did so in the Second Circuit. So overall, the players might prefer the Ninth Circuit, while the NHL might want to head to the Second Circuit or maybe the Eighth Circuit. It will be interesting to see if a lawsuit is filed, and if so, who files first. If I'm the NHL, I'm filing that lawsuit yesterday. What Would Be Considered A Good Win For The NHL? If the NHL can get a Court to keep the lockout in place, that would be a big win for the league because the lockout would remain in place for an indefinite period of time. That would undoubtedly create more leverage for the league. Imagine the opposite - the players win and the lockout is lifted. If that happens, the league would really have to look to get this settled in a hurry. The last thing it wants is to resume operations against its will. Who Would Win In Court? The only certainty here is uncertainty. Each side can improve the chances of success by employing a good strategy. However, the law here is sorted and complex and it's too tough to say which side is heavily favoured in court. Frankly, if this ends up in the courts no one will win. There will be losers, though, I suspect. The goodwill associated with the NHL brand will continue to erode. As a result, fans – even those in traditional hockey markets – may turn away from the game. Some may do so temporarily, while others may not ever come back. So everyone loses here – the owners, the players and the fans. Well there are potentially two winners here – lawyers and their billable hours. If The Players Decertify Is The Season Over? The season wouldn't be over, but it makes it more likely that there will be no hockey this season. The NHLPA and Donald Fehr are considering this option quite late, and decertification doesn't happen overnight. It can take up to 45 days. That could take us well into January. Then you have the lawsuits. That also takes time. Judges are just going to expedite things because they may be in a hockey pool. Ultimately, though, the players hope that the mere threat of decertification will be enough to get the NHL to settle on more favourable terms. My Head Is Spinning - Is That Normal? Totally and Completely. So What's Next? Let's see if the NHLPA is decertified and who files a lawsuit first. Is There A Chance the Lockout Will End Soon? The hope is that things do get settled in the short term. There are obvious areas of compromise, and the hope is that the sides can settle on them. This isn't 2004. Back then, the NHL business model was broken with up to 73% of league revenue going to players. Fans were more likely to indulge the league as it looked to fix its business. This time around, however, the business model is not broken and the sides are grappling over revenue share. With fans less likely to look favourably on either side, settling soon is in the best interest of all parties involved. Eric Macramalla is TSN's Legal Analyst and can be heard each week on TSN Radio 1050. You can follow him on Twitter @EricOnSportslaw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmployeeoftheMonth Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 How much do you guys think the owner of a company generally takes home percentage wise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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