NHL is asking for

- players' share of revenue cut from 57% to 46%
- entry-level contracts to go from three years to five years
- team control of player rights to go from seven seasons/age 27 to ten seasons
- all contracts to be capped at five years

NHLPA to counter soon, presumably. Not a good starting point.

#3 particularly interests and worries me, because setting the unrestricted free agency clock back to ten years takes us back to the 1995-2004 CBA that took us to the last lockout, after which the 2005-2012 CBA -- with its 7/27 service clock -- was ratified and described as "a huge victory for owners."

_________________

I would have to think they would not be dumb enough to cancel another season.

_________________

It's the NHL. You thought wrong.

_________________

^

_________________

Whenever we get this settled, I fully expect the players' share to come down to 50%, both because the NBA and NFL just set a sort of precedent by beating down their respective unions into such a split, and because it will be insisted that a 50-50 split is "only fair."

Also remember that cap hit, listed salary, and actual salary are often three different figures. While a player may be said to earn, for example, $3,000,000 a year, what that really means is that the player will earn a salary elaborately proportionate to league revenue. If the totality of annual salaries around the league doesn't add up to around 57% of annual revenue, some of that money gets clawed back through escrow to even out the percentages. This has happened every year but one, if I'm not mistaken, because the union can elect to "escalate" the number that sets the payroll midpoint without a commensurate increase in revenue. This gives teams more money to spend on players, which they don't end up paying 100% of anyway. And this is a problem.

_________________

I see what you did there. Donald Fehr is no stranger to sports labor issues. After all, Fehr was the Executive Director for many years with the even more powerful MLB Players Association. Now, he holds a similar position with the NHL Players Association. That being said, I'm not all that confident that the NHL starts on time. I hope they don't wipe out a whole season like the last time there was a work stoppage.

I hate to play the part of B & B, but I know two people involved with negotiating sides of this thing. Both are for sure the season doesn't start on time and both believe the season probably ends up starting with the Winter Classic. Take it for what its worth, probably not much.

They will settle at a 50-50 split
the entry level will go to 4
player control will stay same
contract cap will be 5 years makes scene and keeps the owners honest

_________________
When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

I don't understand capping contract years.

Players who have not consented to a large, front-loaded, long-term contract: 0
General managers who have been fired for issuing a large, front-loaded, long-term contract: 0

Players like them. Owners like them. Who wants them gone, exactly?


Man, these fuckers want to copy the NBA at every turn, don't they.

_________________

Here's hoping my sources are incredibly wrong.

KRAMER: No no you know we're not partners. I only get twenty-five percent.

GEORGE: Twenty-five percent? It was your idea.

KRAMER: Yap I know.

GEORGE: You're doing all the leg work.

KRAMER: That's right

GEORGE: He's ripping you off

KRAMER: You're right he's ripping me off

GEORGE: If anybody should be getting more it's you.

KRAMER: He's ripping me off

GEORGE: Well don't let him take advantage of you like that.

KRAMER: YAH! (exits)

MORTY: You know I've been thinking, why is Kramer getting twenty-five percent?

HELEN: Well he told you about the place.

MORTY: So what, why is that worth twenty-five percent? It's a finders fee. You know what a finders fee is?

HELEN: You find something you get a fee.

MORTY: Finder's fee is ten percent and no more.

HELEN: Well it's too late now.

MORTY: Those are my coats. I saved them, I stored them, I've been waiting years for this pay off.

HELEN: Well you're not gonna say anything.

(Kramer enters)

KRAMER: I've been thinking about something.

MORTY: Ya so have I

KRAMER: Ahh! I don't think the deal is fair.

MORTY: You don't think it's fair.

KRAMER: No no, I found the place, I set the whole thing up, I'm doing all the leg work.

MORTY: What leg work?

KRAMER: Oh, there's leg work.

MORTY: If anything you're getting too much.

KRAMER: Too much?!

MORTY: That's right, they're my coats.

KRAMER: Look I want thirty-five percent.

MORTY: I'm thinking more like fifteen.

KRAMER: No way I'm taking fifteen.

MORTY: Well you're not getting thirty-five.

KRAMER: Alright let's compromise. Twenty-five percent.

MORTY: Ok it's a deal

_________________