Bettman Doesn't Deserve All The Blame
As far as the NHL is concerned, the buck stops at Gary Bettman. When it comes down to it, he is the one man who could have conceded some things and allowed at least some of an NHL hockey season to be played. He locked out the players. He made the final decision to cancel the season. But he doesn't deserve all the blame, or even most of it.
That burden belongs to the players and their decision not to accept the $42.5 million salary cap for each team.
It's not hard to see why they turned down the league's final offer. They see teams in the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball in which two or three players make up $42.5 million each season. They are the fourth "major" sport. They think they deserve the same treatment. But they're wrong.
The numbers just don't add up. The "big three" have a wider fan base and, most importantly, far superior television contracts. They have more money to give. Their teams actually make money, while far too many NHL teams lose money. I hate the fact that rich businessmen run today's sports leagues as much as anyone else, but you can't expect to make a ridiculous amount of money from your employer if the league is losing money.
The gap between the numbers the players' association quotes and the numbers the league quotes resembles the Grand Canyon. But one thing is certain: the NHL isn't in position to pay it's players anywhere near the kind of money being earned in basketball, baseball and football.
I'm sure the players' association understands this. They are privy to a lot more information than I am. But pride is getting in the way. Why do I say that? Because of their final rejection.
At the last moment, the two sides both conceded some things and the gap--which was too big to even define during the entire conflict--was suddenly the very tangible number of $6.5 million. The league pitched a "take it or leave it" offer of a $42.5 million salary cap. Instead of accepting the offer like they should have, the players' association countered with $49 million. Evidently, they didn't understand the phrase "take it or leave it."
Do I like Gary Bettman right now? No. Do I condone the way he ignored the players' final counter-offer? No. But he isn't the only one to blame here.
Winter in Minnesota is a lot colder without the Wild playing on their frozen pond. But it's time to forget about it. The season is dead. Spring is almost here.
That burden belongs to the players and their decision not to accept the $42.5 million salary cap for each team.
It's not hard to see why they turned down the league's final offer. They see teams in the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball in which two or three players make up $42.5 million each season. They are the fourth "major" sport. They think they deserve the same treatment. But they're wrong.
The numbers just don't add up. The "big three" have a wider fan base and, most importantly, far superior television contracts. They have more money to give. Their teams actually make money, while far too many NHL teams lose money. I hate the fact that rich businessmen run today's sports leagues as much as anyone else, but you can't expect to make a ridiculous amount of money from your employer if the league is losing money.
The gap between the numbers the players' association quotes and the numbers the league quotes resembles the Grand Canyon. But one thing is certain: the NHL isn't in position to pay it's players anywhere near the kind of money being earned in basketball, baseball and football.
I'm sure the players' association understands this. They are privy to a lot more information than I am. But pride is getting in the way. Why do I say that? Because of their final rejection.
At the last moment, the two sides both conceded some things and the gap--which was too big to even define during the entire conflict--was suddenly the very tangible number of $6.5 million. The league pitched a "take it or leave it" offer of a $42.5 million salary cap. Instead of accepting the offer like they should have, the players' association countered with $49 million. Evidently, they didn't understand the phrase "take it or leave it."
Do I like Gary Bettman right now? No. Do I condone the way he ignored the players' final counter-offer? No. But he isn't the only one to blame here.
Winter in Minnesota is a lot colder without the Wild playing on their frozen pond. But it's time to forget about it. The season is dead. Spring is almost here.
posted by Joe Siple | 4:44 PM
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