BoT Special Report: NHL Cancels All Games Thru December 14th, All Star Weekend Also Cancelled
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
The NHL Friday afternoon announced the cancellation of all games thru December 14th as well as this seasons All Star Weekend in Columbus. These cancellations come at the heels of ongoing failed negotiations continue to eat away at what’s left of what was supposed to be the 2012-13 season. The lockout as of Friday is in it’s 76th day with no end in sight. These cancellations bring the total of games lost to 422 to the latest NHL labor dispute with shades of 2004-05 now starting to loom even larger. With every day that this lockout continues, damage to the NHL’s reputation and mere credibility may become more irreversible. With the inability of Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA head Donald Fehr unable to put together a new CBA, the next domino to fall may very well be the entire 2012-13.
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association remain far apart in negotiations on the allocation of revenue and rules governing player contracts. At this time there are no new sessions scheduled to continue discussions towards a new CBA. The latest offer from the players union called for a 50/50 split of revenues along with the deferment of payments near $400 million. The owners proposal had some similarities but the payments are only just over $200 million. In addition, contracting issues also need to be worked out. Donald Fehr had reiterated time and time again that the players union has always stood ready to negotiate a settlement and a new CBA. Thus far though the sides are far enough apart to where their is now considerable doubt that the NHL will be able to avoid it’s second lost season in eight years and no guarantees that the 2013-14 season won’t be impacted.
Stay with Blades of Teal as we will keep you up to date on this breaking news as it develops…
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