The Business of HockeyDiscuss the financial and business aspects of the NHL. Franchise sales, valuations, TV contracts, ratings, expansion, relocation, the CBA and work stoppage discussion goes here.
Personal observations: a lot of fans I've talked to are so <disgusted/frustrated/angry/etc.>, they simply want to know when things are starting up again.
Others are starting to indicate things getting to the breaking point ("That's all I can stand; I can't stand no more") and they are preparing to walk away.
These are not casual "once a season I turn the game on TV" but "diehards", STH, suite holders/sponsors.
“It’s very dangerous,” Canadiens NHLPA rep Gorges said of waning fan interest. “That’s something we’ve talked about since the start. The league is not just hurting the players by locking us out. There are a lot of people who love hockey and they’re starting to lose their passion. They don’t want to sit here and listen to this."
...
More and more these days, you’re hearing fans say they simply don’t care about hockey. This could be merely the impatient voice of frustration, an anger instantly forgotten when/if a deal is finally struck.
That’s something we’ve talked about since the start. The league is not just hurting the players by locking us out.
...
“We want to be playing hockey and we’ve said from the start that we could be playing. There’s no reason that we’re not. We could play while we keep working out a deal. We want to get a deal done but it’s tough when you can’t negotiate.”
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Gionta
Unfortunately, it seems to be on the deadline of Gary, what he wants to be doing and what he has planned here.
“He’s got a blueprint and he seems to be sticking to it, with no regard for the game or the players.”
Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Pacioretty
It seems to be always coming down to the same issue, when people talk to me about it, and the issue’s Gary Bettman. To tell you the truth, I’ve heard enough about it today. It’s my first time hearing about it in quite a while. There’s one big problem with the lockout and I think we know what it is.”
Sounds like Stubbs was really asking them the hard-hitting questions.
TBH, my "anger and disgust" has more to do with player statements like those above. I understand that lockouts happen, and labor strife gets ugly. But take some damned responsibility for YOUR PART in making this happen. Enough of this "we just want to play" bull**** that only a child would believe.
I've given some thought to cancelling my season tickets, but I think that would send the wrong signal. My problem isn't anger with the league, it's that I'm going to have a very hard time rooting for these guys when they hit the ice again. Last time I felt that way it had to do with baseball.
I would do the same thing but they would just call one of the 8000 people on the waiting list! Fans WILL be back as strong as ever.
In some cities they will, in others they will not.
Even the most passionate of us are getting disgruntled but the apparent lack of 'give a damn' by either side. This game is so important, blah blah blah. This history of this league is important, blah blah blah. Well really? Start playing again,act like it matters. I'm beginning to think the game doesn't.
I think it would be healthy for the game in the long run if fans let the the league and players know they've had enough. A few years of decreasing revenue should do the trick.
My passion for the sport has slowly declined these past yrs even before this lockout. The game has gotten boring in their attempt to achieve perceived parity.
I'm really having trouble determining how to vent my anger towards the players without doing the same to the NHL as a whole.
Stopped following any player on twitter and maybe I'll just not wear any player specific jerseys anymore. (players will not notice this at all so it's all a waste)
I have one jersey without a name so maybe I'll put
I love hockey, always have and always will. This lockout will never change my love, dedication and passion for hockey.
I've been a Canucks fan for over 20 years. Honestly, I'm not sure I could just "walk away". The disenchanted, disappointed part of me wishes/wants to walk away... There are other sources of hockey out there, college, minor league even beer league. Leagues without ridiculous ticket prices and labour strife.... But, none of them are my Canucks.
At this point, I'm really torn between returning to the team I love and walking away.
BLAAAH! What's a girl to do? Stop the madness! Just friggin' stop it already!
I normally watch 75+ games a season and try to attend at least ten regular season games and one game per playoff round. I have not cared one bit that the NHL is locked out. I would like to have hockey back, but it was pretty easy to adjust from spending a lot of money and time to not spending a lot of money and time.
I suspect i care so little because i prepared myself ahead of time that this season was going to be cancelled. I just have no faith in the players or owners.
I've been a die hard NHL fans for years but I'm waning myself. I won't lie and say I won't be back when the puck drops again, but as of right now I haven't watched the NHLN since July, I don't have any plans on going 3-4 hours to the "local" NHL barn, I haven't put aside any money for Center Ice, I've told people to get me other things instead of the usual NHL merchandise for the holidays, and I quit following several players on Twitter. People thought having a more open social media would help keep fans informed on this round of the CBA, but I've found myself the more inundated with all this "information", the more it makes me roll my eyes and not care.
I find it ironic that the lockout is essentially happening to protect the teams in non-hockey markets, but it's only the non-hockey market teams that will be negatively affected by the lockout.
I've been a hardcore hockey fan for over 35 years. I still love the sport but no longer care much about the NHL. I'll watch a game if it's on TV but no more Center Ice, jerseys, ect. And this has nothing to do with the lockout. Trust me, Gary Bettman doesn't give two ***** about the fans.
I've been very meh on this all along, but I'm sure someone will come along and tell me that since I'm wasting my time posting on a message board that I care deeply about the daily ins and outs of the lockout. I unfollowed every hockey related twitter and facebook feed, not interested in hearing about my team or the league's "news" unless it's about the lockout being over. I intend to cancel my season tickets this week, but not really out of any kind of anger. I just don't care at this point if they play this year, and I don't want them to have my money anymore. I like to read what people are saying about the lockout on here, but I find myself not caring if it ends.
it all boils down to a personal beliefs to be honest. the league could absolutely care less about those who are willing to walk away.
they do not deserve my time or money. The amount I've save already makes me happy enough to not care and The favorite players I grew up watching are all now pretty much retired.
The current and future casual fan is the majority and what the NHL/NHLPA covets. They know they can make money off this group and only a minority cares enough to walk away from the league.
I'll watch the playoffs and go to a game comped by my company. They will not get a dime out of my pocket though.
I check for updates on this constantly. I want hockey to come back soooo bad. My wallet is ready like a spring to pop open and contribute to some good ol' HRR when I'm able to again.
I love NHL hockey, and I really want it to come back. I am not being sarcastic.
Give me the opportunity to become a Leafs STH and I won't even think twice. I am Gary Bettman's best friend.
I believe the repercussions of a season long lockout will be similar to what we see in baseball in 1994. Josh Georges does have a good point about the fact that fan apathy is much worse than it was in 2004.
In 2004, the fans were 100% behind the owners and their quest to change the economic landscape and implement a salary cap. This was especially supportive in small markets like Edmonton and Calgary who were sick and tired of big market teams like Toronto and New York raiding their top talents because they can afford to pay what these players ask.
This lockout is sheer greed shown on both sides. I blame both sides equally. I blame the owners for orchestrating the whole CBA talks in a very short-sided matter, especially with that initial offer back in July to piss off the PA. I would argue if the NHL offered 50/50 back in July, we would've had a full season. The players are just as much to blame. Sure I understand their whole "principle" stance, but at the end of the day, they're millionaires and its hard for working class citizens like myself to have any sympathy.
With that said, a lost season because millionaires and billionaires can't figure out how to divide a 3.3 billion dollar revenue pie isn't going to fly with fans. The last lockout, the NHL had so many assets to market their game: Crosby, Ovechkin, new rule changes, shootouts etc. What does the NHL have this time to win back fans?
This is going to be like post-MLB strike IMO. Attendance will drop especially in prominent American markets. Revenue takes a hit and loss of sponsors. We all know how devastating the strike was on baseball and it took years for the league to recover.
