Will the NHL Agreement Meet Your Needs?

At 5 a.m. this morning, January 6, 2013 the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) finally concluded their 113 day discussions with an agreement to end the lock-out/ strike that has affected more people than all of them put together can even count.

Oh, each of these partners in the negotiations will survive, and go on to live lives of luxury most of us can only dream about. The travesty here is that it was all about lining their pockets and ensuring that they will be looked after in their dotage or should I say doughtage (my word) where they'll now have a defined pension. You would think that after making XXX millions of dollars each year that they would have put together some sort of plan to build their own nest egg. Hell, the average citizen manages to do that on a lot less annual income, why can't they.

I got off track a little bit there because the real story here is that over the past 113 days plus/minus, who has the NHL lock-out/strike hurt? Directly, it has affected the many people who work in the arenas where these folks play! Think about the young people who have some ambition to get ahead and take a job working in the parking lots, or the gates or the concessions or food services or security to name a few. Not just young people but maybe single parents or seniors who are trying to make ends meet with a part time job. What have they lost, never to get back with a fancy new contract for 10 years or eight if your just not happy. Give me a break.

There are others in the widening circle of support for these playboys and their billionaire owners that are affected as well. There's the suppliers to these arenas for food, cleaning supplies, signs, and toilet paper. Or how about the people who put the ice in and paint the markings and maintain the ice in pristine condition so these darlings have the best.

The good will that has been destroyed will take a long time to repair. How will the new product (tic) be any better than the old one? Will youngsters still gaze with starry eyes on their heroes? Will dad or mom even be able to afford to take them to the rink and then afford the expensive food when they get there? These are questions that will soon be answered as these princes of the puck make their way back to their respective rinks in a much shortened season.

Another question begs to be answered. When are they going to get rid of Gary Bettman which many media pundits are saying should have happened a long time ago. Here is a guy that was so dictatorial that they had to bring in another mediator to get the job done. Here is a guy that has spent so much time building markets in marginal hockey territory where hockey takes a back seat to baseball, football and basketball that other teams in real hockey territory have to support them with a $300 Million dollar equalization payment.  I think its time for him to go.

I think its also time to think about the value of what they are presenting and start to care for the folks that pay for the tickets that keep them in business. I don't deny them a very good salary after all they are the elite of their sport, the best of the best.

I'm thinking though that all these folks could take a lesson from the proving ground where they all started - Minor hockey, where they play for the love of the game.