Quote:
Originally Posted by dino7c
Are either of these sides really stupid enough for a work stoppage? The pro sports model is dying
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While I don't want work stoppages either, I think the reason we've seen so many in the NHL is truly because they don't actually impact the league all that negatively, and from the league perspective, the negative from cancelling half a season, or in some cases a full season don't outweigh the benefits for driving the better agreement from the owners perspective (at least in the negotiations to date, who knows if the math holds up on the new issues that will be discussed).
Truth is, afterwards the league says all the right things about brand damage and fan impact, but there really wasn't much impact. The fans in Canada just keep coming back, and IMO always will, there is no actually enough is a enough point, at least not in the numbers required to matter (despite levels of emotional tough talk that goes on during the stoppages). And in the States, the fans just don't care enough, especially for a half season lock out given Americans that do really care don't actually get ramped up until post NFL season anyway.
Work stoppages occur frequently in the NHL because the impact of them actually isn't that bad on the league IMO, relatively speaking, and it's a tool the owners are more then willing to use to drive a better deal (which also speaks volumes to the fact that they are probably right in looking to drive those deals).