NEW YORK – NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly issued statement today regarding the two days of meetings that concluded today with representatives of the NHL Players’ Association. The meetings were held under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
“Today, we concluded two days of mediation with FMCS mediators and representatives of the NHL Players’ Association. After spending several hours with both sides over two days, the presiding mediators concluded that the parties remained far apart, and that no progress toward a resolution could be made through further mediation at this point in time. We are disappointed that the mediation process was not successful.”
The two sides remain intractable in their positions and the season now seems to be nearly lost. More than a third of the regular season schedule has been cancelled as well as the Winter Classic in Ann Arbor and the All-Star Game in Columbus (OH).
While there is certainly regret among all sides the real loser at this point is the fan base. One must wonder though, of the real impact of the loss when news each day is greeted by thunderous indifference by fans and the general sports media.
Can the sport survive another lost season? The goodwill built between the NHL and its fan base over the last few seasons may well be irrevocably damaged. Then, from where does the revenue come to support teams and players’ salaries? Far too many teams already have crippling attendance figures. The continued loss of games and near disdain for the fan cannot sustain the sport for long.
Some resolution that supports the NHL franchises and satisfies the players’ income demands must surely be there. If not, then the question of a 2013-14 season be viable must be considered.
Comment@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.