Quote:
Originally Posted by Master Lok
Why would decertification lead to league contraction necessarily?
I can see that certain american hockey markets would have such low fan turnout returning after the lockout that it could crush those teams, but decertification in of itself shouldn't necessarily lead to league contraction... does it?
I can see the concern about the triple damage lawsuits, but that could be years away and tied up in the courts for a long time.
Aside from that, decertification would mean the big markets would grab all the best players but without a union, the smaller markets could survive without the restrictions on cap floor, guaranteed contracts etc. i.e. couldn't a team like Nashville or Columbus field a team with a team salary of $20 million and survive?
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Interest would plummet in those markets. With some divisions potentially resembling "relegation"
Even if 20M salary is the case we're speaking in those teams of quas AHL lineups and fans prudent enough to recognize it as such.
I'll make a specific point here. A league like the NBA can survive something like this because fans tend to see it as star driven entertainment and so appreciate the ability of the stars, what they do, and tend to worship that talent whether it be playing on the home team or opposition. Thus a LA Lakers game is boffo box office anywhere. The NHL is much more a 20 player TEAM game and if anything it tends to be depressing experience watching an opposing team come in and chronically beat up the local side. Welcome to the 90's here with the "Premium dates" just requiring greater dosage of antidepressants..I went to a lot of those games in the 90's partly due to the fascination of what had so quickly come and gone. To dynasty to Shane Corson etal.
Most people had no interest at all in this and tickets for any game could be had from scalpers for 20bucks or less.
Many markets, and even this one, is not going to pay any moderate ticket price to see a low talent non competitive club. So the end result being that no matter how low payroll goes revenue arguably takes more of a dive.
Elite clubs may be more marketable in Basketball or Baseball. In hockey parity I believe is more of a necessity.