Breaking News : NHL Confirms Player Lock Out Will Be In Effect At Midnight Tonite

[SkateZilla]

The Lockout Threatens The 2004-05 Season, and The Survival Of the NHL in the Current Era Of Hockey,

See ESPN.com or NHL.com For More Details

[Ebenezer]

The Lockout Threatens The 2004-05 Season, and The Survival Of the NHL in the Current Era Of Hockey,

See ESPN.com or NHL.com For More Details
Nuclear winter is here...don't say you weren't warned.

[SkateZilla]

ESPN NEWS (THE CHANNEL) IS AIRING GARY BETTMANS PRESS CONFERENCE,

[FTG]

:bf1:

[Michael82]

The Lockout Threatens The Survival Of the NHL

I agree completely! But it also strengthens the AHL. That could take over. Hmmm...Rochester Amerks. :up: :bf1:

[Patrick76777]

Nuclear winter is here...don't say you weren't warned.


How Dramatic! Very nice!

[Ebenezer]

I agree completely! But it also strengthens the AHL. That could take over. Hmmm...Rochester Amerks. :up: :bf1:
don't hold your breath...ratings for the NHL suck...can you imagine what they would be for the AHL?? Further, if the NHL went belly up, remember, the AHL teams are controlled by the NHL...they would be yanked out of the secondary markets and be put in places where there are currently NHL teams...

[Ebenezer]

How Dramatic! Very nice!
I'm not happy about either but some of these guys were running around "with hope"...this was a sealed deal years ago...:cynic:

[Patrick76777]

I'm not happy about either but some of these guys were running around "with hope"...this was a sealed deal years ago...:cynic:



I'm just playin Ebby!

[LtBillsFan66]

I don't care for hockey one bit, I'm just worried that this will mean more crap like WSOP on ESPN. :down:

[The Spaz]

http://www.nhlcbanews.com/

[Armpalm Ali Musch]

Crazy... I knew it was going to happen. The only thing I hope for is that eventually they will come to a deal but I wonder how many players we are going to lose to other leagues now.

[Ebenezer]

I don't care for hockey one bit, I'm just worried that this will mean more crap like WSOP on ESPN. :down:
what's next??? Bingo on TV?? "Will she use the blue dabber or the green?"

[realmendontwearteal]

i guess basket weaving is making a return

[Bill Brasky]

****ing money ruins everything. These owners should be happy they're in the business and the players should be happy that they have enough skills to play and both should be happy they don't have to rely on min. wage income to survive. It pisses me off when **** like this happens. :down: :mad: Play the ****ing game and stop complaning how much each side is "suppossed" to bring in.

[SkateZilla]

hahaha...

Bettman : "We are Wiating fo rhte P.A. To Put Up a good Offer"
P.A. REP (forgot his name) : "We Are waiting for the Owners/Commisioner to Put Up a Good Offer"



Bettman : " We NEed to instate a Salary Cap; Out of 30 Clubs, 20 Are Ready tp file bankruptcy", "The Club Owners Released a Statement Saying if we cannot get the NHL Finacial Troubles Solved they will be forced to Shutdown their NHL Club"

P.A. REP : "If G.M.s WOuld Do What they get paid to do.. Owners Wouldnt Have to Pay Players As much as they Are"




The Interviews I've watched .. they are pointing Fingers At Each other...

Bettman Also Said if a New CBA isnt Established By Midnight December 31, 2004, there will be no season this Year.

[Ebenezer]

hahaha...

Bettman : "We are Wiating fo rhte P.A. To Put Up a good Offer"
P.A. REP (forgot his name) : "We Are waiting for the Owners/Commisioner to Put Up a Good Offer"



Bettman : " We NEed to instate a Salary Cap; Out of 30 Clubs, 20 Are Ready tp file bankruptcy", "The Club Owners Released a Statement Saying if we cannot get the NHL Finacial Troubles Solved they will be forced to Shutdown their NHL Club"

P.A. REP : "If G.M.s WOuld Do What they get paid to do.. Owners Wouldnt Have to Pay Players As much as they Are"




The Interviews I've watched .. they are pointing Fingers At Each other...

Bettman Also Said if a New CBA isnt Established By Midnight December 31, 2004, there will be no season this Year.
early bets that there will be no season this year??

[Myers57]

early bets that there will be no season this year??

God I hope not...

[Michael82]

early bets that there will be no season this year??
I'll bet 1000 ZBs and I don't even have them yet. Hell, I'll bet $20 cash that the NHL will not even have a 2004-2005 season.

[Đ²]

The players need to hold out long enough for the scrub teams to go bankrupt. By about Feb, you will see 2-3 teams go tits up.

In today's sports entertainment marketplace, why would you play for 1.8 M :huh:

[clumping platelets]

:(

[Đ²]

The players know that Bettman is just blowing smoke. There are a lot of teams that are 2 or 3 months away from going under even with cash flow.

This is a great oppourtunity to get rid of some of the weak sister teams. Who's interest does it serve to have NHL teams in Los Angeles, AZ, NC, Miami, and other US & Canadian cities ?

If the business model can't support teams in crap markets, then fold the team...simple.

[Ebenezer]

The players know that Bettman is just blowing smoke. There are a lot of teams that are 2 or 3 months away from going under even with cash flow.

This is a great oppourtunity to get rid of some of the weak sister teams. Who's interest does it serve to have NHL teams in Los Angeles, AZ, NC, Miami, and other US & Canadian cities ?

If the business model can't support teams in crap markets, then fold the team...simple.


AMEN!! Ditch Carolina, Anaheim, Phoenix, Dallas, Miami, Nashville, Atlanta and Columbus tomorrow. Keep Tampa...they just won the cup.

[Myers57]

Don't rejoice too much, Buffalo will go before half of those teams do.

[Ebenezer]

Don't rejoice too much, Buffalo will go before half of those teams do.
Not true...Buffalo will save money without a season...no need to be ditched...Why would you kill hockey in an area where fans care?? makes no sense...

[Myers57]

Because those other teams have more money to survive on in their cities because they are larger teams, not having to pay the players means they will save money.

No teams are going to fold because of the lockout.

[Ebenezer]

Because those other teams have more money to survive on in their cities because they are larger teams, not having to pay the players means they will save money.

No teams are going to fold because of the lockout.
I didn't say fold...I said ditch them...revoke their charter, license, whatever...hockey in the Southern United States is akin to Jai-Lai in Canada...stow it.

[qcsabresfan84]

I didn't say fold...I said ditch them...revoke their charter, license, whatever...hockey in the Southern United States is akin to Jai-Lai in Canada...stow it.
i hate to agree with you on dropping teams but i kind of do. teams in the south only have fans when they are really successful. i live in NC, and when the hurricanes went to the stanley cup finals the whole state was in a frenzy, but by the next fall nobody cared about them anymore, and they still dont.

[Đ²]

Because those other teams have more money to survive on in their cities because they are larger teams, not having to pay the players means they will save money.

No teams are going to fold because of the lockout.
Tell that to the shareholders of MLSEL (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Limited). I'm glad you can speak on behalf of them that they will "save money" by cutting off most of their revenue streams. They are a bellweather for the league's owners and as soon as the institutional shareholders start dumping shares when MLSEL's balance sheet goes into the red next quarter, then Bettman will be scrambling to settle with the players.

Most of the players have way deeper pockets than many NHL teams do, especially when lines of credit get cut off because there is no revenue stream to guarantee them.

[Ebenezer]

Tell that to the shareholders of MLSEL (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Limited). I'm glad you can speak on behalf of them that they will "save money" by cutting off most of their revenue streams. They are a bellweather for the league's owners and as soon as the institutional shareholders start dumping shares when MLSEL's balance sheet goes into the red next quarter, then Bettman will be scrambling to settle with the players.

Most of the players have way deeper pockets than many NHL teams do, especially when lines of credit get cut off because there is no revenue stream to guarantee them.
so? you believe the players will win?

if they do, you can start broadcasting the end of hockey.

[Đ²]

Qualify that...

The end of NHL hockey...that's not a bad thing.

[Ebenezer]

Qualify that...

The end of NHL hockey...that's not a bad thing.
A world game has little chance of survival...who in Czeck, Slovokia, Russia, Slovenia or other parts of Europe could pay the prices we charge here...never happen...

what do you suggest happens?

[Earthquake Enyart]

Tell that to the shareholders of MLSEL (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Limited). I'm glad you can speak on behalf of them that they will "save money" by cutting off most of their revenue streams. They are a bellweather for the league's owners and as soon as the institutional shareholders start dumping shares when MLSEL's balance sheet goes into the red next quarter, then Bettman will be scrambling to settle with the players.

Most of the players have way deeper pockets than many NHL teams do, especially when lines of credit get cut off because there is no revenue stream to guarantee them.

I hear what you are saying, but you can't tell me that the owners haven't planned for a long stoppage for at least a year now. I don't see tham caving quickly. And they probably don't give a rat's ass if a few southern US teams fold, since the US TV contract isn't squat anyhow.

Kovulchuk a Sabre in the dispersal draft? :pray:

[Ebenezer]

I hear what you are saying, but you can't tell me that the owners haven't planned for a long stoppage for at least a year now. I don't see tham caving quickly. And they probably don't give a rat's ass if a few southern US teams fold, since the US TV contract isn't squat anyhow.

Kovulchuk a Sabre in the dispersal draft? :pray:
nice!!

[Đ²]

I hear what you are saying, but you can't tell me that the owners haven't planned for a long stoppage for at least a year now. I don't see tham caving quickly. And they probably don't give a rat's ass if a few southern US teams fold, since the US TV contract isn't squat anyhow.
There is no shortage of sharks and snakes with deep pockets waiting in the wings to buy the franchises for 35-40 cents on the dollar before they fold.

Look at what's happening with English soccer, the moment someone gets a sniff that a team is about to miss a loan payment, there's Russian oil money, Thai or Middle Eastern Royalty ready to swoop down. They don't even care about which team it is (Crystal Palace :eek: :huh:), they just want to get in the sports entertainment ownership game...the money is HUGE, no matter what the owners say.

[Earthquake Enyart]

There is no shortage of sharks and snakes with deep pockets waiting in the wings to buy the franchises for 35-40 cents on the dollar before they fold.

Look at what's happening with English soccer, the moment someone gets a sniff that a team is about to miss a loan payment, there's Russian oil money, Thai or Middle Eastern Royalty ready to swoop down. They don't even care about which team it is (Crystal Palace :eek: :huh:), they just want to get in the sports entertainment ownership game...the money is HUGE, no matter what the owners say.
There's no money to be made in hockey in the southern US. With no TV money to speak of it's a loser.

They'd be better off buying into NASCAR.

[Đ²]

http://www.matrixis.com/matrixis/images/Services/BU005624%20light%20bulb%20$$.jpg

There are other (much larger) emerging TV markets outside of the US.
These sharks and snakes are thinking of a 10-year business plan and they have deeeeeeeep pockets.

[Ebenezer]

http://www.matrixis.com/matrixis/images/Services/BU005624%20light%20bulb%20$$.jpg

There are other (much larger) emerging TV markets outside of the US.
These sharks and snakes are thinking of a 10-year business plan and they have deeeeeeeep pockets.
who? and where would they play? if it is still played here where are they going to generate money? if it is over there, who is going to pay for the salaries? if any of the players want to go and live in ______ and play for some princes millions then let them go and form their own league...they can restart the NHL with players that want to stay here...the Stanley Cup goes nowhere.

Thailand? Please, there are buildings sitting there incomplete because the money is not there...

[Ebenezer]

There's no money to be made in hockey in the southern US. With no TV money to speak of it's a loser.

They'd be better off buying into NASCAR.
correct!


You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Earthquake Enyart again.

[Earthquake Enyart]

I'm starting to see the light. The Olympics are a prelude to teams in Stockholm, Moscow, Helsinki, Prague, et al?

Have a Euro division, and have the North American teams take a swing or two per season over there?

That would beat the Carolina, Nashville, Florida trip.

[Ebenezer]

I'm starting to see the light. The Olympics are a prelude to teams in Stockholm, Moscow, Helsinki, Prague, et al?

Have a Euro division, and have the North American teams take a swing or two per season over there?

That would beat the Carolina, Nashville, Florida trip.
and how much do players over there make?? why do you think they want to play here?

[Đ²]

It's a much easier/shorter trip to any Northern European destination (especially for charters that teams would be using) now that the over-the-pole route has been opened up since the cold war ended.

[Myers57]

Qualify that...

The end of NHL hockey...that's not a bad thing.

I have no idea what you are talking about!

Would you rather watch the AHL?

The hit of Western New York: Rochester Amerks!

The NHL may be the smallest of the 4 major sports but none the less it is a major sport and the economy of both the US and Canada (especially) thrive on this league.

The NHL should resolve its problems by the end of the CBA and if you dont think it should exist, then don't watch it.

[SkateZilla]

Don't rejoice too much, Buffalo will go before half of those teams do.


Golisnaoi said the only way the'll take the sabres away from him is if he dies before he prints up his last will and testement before november

[Đ²]

I'm curious...

How does the economy of the US and Canada "thrive" on the NHL.

Every time you turn around, the teams are asking for government handouts to build a new arena, tax breaks, etc.

I guess that's "thriving" in a socialist kind of way :huh:

[Typ0]

Golisnaoi said the only way the'll take the sabres away from him is if he dies before he prints up his last will and testement before november

how long is he going to wait to add the sabres to the will?