NHLPA Given Authority to File Disclaimer of Interest

[_Del_]

I don't think the NFL was willing to lose games, nevermind a season. And the quick settlement as the season approached reflected that. I don't see that kind of movement here -- or the last time the players were locked out.

[Xref]

Originally Posted by DyerMaker66

The NFL locking out their players seems to prove you wrong.

How many games did the NFL cancel?

[Dado]

Originally Posted by Xref

Obviously no one in their right mind would shut down a business that is doing marvelously well.

You're absolutely right they wouldn't do it *intentionally*, but people make miscalculations and mistakes all the time. Especially when they're making collective decisions tying together many disparate needs. Like the demovitator once said: "None of us is as dumb as all of us."

Nobody involved has a crystal ball on how this will work out. It could even be argued that a segment of owners is being hardline precisely because they want the PA to decertify so they can force the league to move to a single-owner corporate structure.

Many balls in play here...many possible roads and possible outcomes...only thing for sure is that somebody, somewhere, is likely to make a large miscalculation...because that's what we human do!

[Killion]

Originally Posted by Dado

"None of us is as dumb as all of us."

The Abilene Paradox. Rule by committee whereby decisions are made collectively that are in fact counter & counterproductive to the individuals wishes & best interests, abilities to manage effectively, remain solvent in some instances. Dangerous ground.

[Xref]

Originally Posted by Dado

You're absolutely right they wouldn't do it *intentionally*, but people make miscalculations and mistakes all the time. Especially when they're making collective decisions tying together many disparate needs. Like the demovitator once said: "None of us is as dumb as all of us."

Nobody involved has a crystal ball on how this will work out. It could even be argued that a segment of owners is being hardline precisely because they want the PA to decertify so they can force the league to move to a single-owner corporate structure.

Many balls in play here...many possible roads and possible outcomes...only thing for sure is that somebody, somewhere, is likely to make a large miscalculation...because that's what we human do!

Yes, that is entirely possible. As is the notion that the PA is using these negotiations and tactics as a means to abolish the salary cap economic structure. Anything is possible.

[DyerMaker66]

Originally Posted by _Del_

I don't think the NFL was willing to lose games, nevermind a season. And the quick settlement as the season approached reflected that. I don't see that kind of movement here -- or the last time the players were locked out.

The players were just willing to bend over for the league; that's why there was a season, imo.

Originally Posted by Xref

How many games did the NFL cancel?

None, and the players took it up the rear from the league.

[Erik Estrada]

I think the NHL made a good move with their offer. Even if there's just slight movement, it's very comprehensive (it has 300 pages?). It puts the PA in a very tight spot. The PA has only till January 2 for the DOI. Then they would need to get another full membership vote to get a new authorization...

The absolute worst case scenario for the Players would be the NHL cancelling the season on Jan 15 or 18 and there's no DOI... NHL needs to get players to sign. If they can't they need to get the PA to invest so much time in the process until season cancellation that there's no DOI.

[thinkwild]

That is an interesting leverage point. Why is it you suggest that the players wouldnt want the season to be cancelled without a DoI in place? Because they'd have to re-vote or is it because it loses its effectiveness after that? I thought the players would only really be willing to venture down that road once all hope for a season is lost.

There must be also some differences in dynamics of how each of the unions are composed? I'm imagining that football players, especially the non core, are even more replaceable than hockey players, and likely have shorter more precarious careers? And the basketball union makeup must be more dominated by the stars with their smaller rosters? Perhaps the largely Canadian farm boys are more likely to show solidarity than the others by nature of their composition? They seem to have won more leverage than the other leagues ever had.

[Erik Estrada]

Originally Posted by thinkwild

That is an interesting leverage point. Why is it you suggest that the players wouldnt want the season to be cancelled without a DoI in place? Because they'd have to re-vote or is it because it loses its effectiveness after that? I thought the players would only really be willing to venture down that road once all hope for a season is lost.

.

There's no damages when there's still a collective bargaining process. Damages from cancelled games during this process can't ever be claimed by the players. Damages only start accumulating the day after the DOI.

If the day of the DOI, the 2012-13 season is over, players are not losing any games because of a group boycott (the lockout). Any claims for damages have been wiped out by the late DOI.

Would a court consider the NHL should have opened up for an 18-games season + playoffs or does a viable 18-games season not exist?
Would the court look at the February 15 cancellation in 2004-2005 as proof that the NHL is forcing an early cancellation when a viable season of 30+40+ games would still be possible?
Would the court look at the January 15 or 19 date as the effective drop dead date for a viable season?