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This labor dispute, for me, really comes down to the San Jose Sharks.
Solidly built, and run team. Really the model franchise for expansion in the modern era.
Sold out every single home game last season and failed to turn a profit. Canadian fans will say "raise ticket prices". Really? That's the solution to profit inequality and a league where the majority of teams are struggling? To raise ticket prices and further alienate what precious few fans the game is clinging to in the united states? Absurd. Is jacking up prices really the appropriate strategy in this climate?
So what, then? The players seem to think there should be expanded revenue sharing. Really? For the Sharks? A wildly popular and successful team that sells out every game. That team generates a ton of revenue. What they don't generate is profit. I'm all for expanded revenue sharing, and i think it is vital, but the San Jose Sharks should not be anywhere near that conversation. They should be a rags to riches story, not a well fare baby.
No, I think it is pretty clearly a question of cost. I think the price is appropriate for the market, and I think the product is of excellent quality. I don't think it makes any sense to increase price or to reduce quality. I think both are exactly where they need to be to operate a very successful franchise. The problem is cost. They spend too much to run the show. So let's look at what they are spending on. What is their biggest expense? Players. Very obviously they are paying players too much.
Paul Bissonnette said on his twitter yesterday that he'd gladly take a pay cut if they'd lower ticket prices for fans but stated that the owners never would. He should put his money where his mouth is.
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