The NHL has mastered the craft of torturing fans, forcing its loyal followers to endure two lockouts in the last eight years.
The lockout of 2004-05 cost hockey lovers an entire season. Yet this year, the owners have reportedly told commissioner Gary Bettman that cancelling the season isn't an option (h/t Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun).
My sources say owners have privately informed Bettman cancelling the season is not an acceptable option.
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) December 28, 2012
But while the owners may be adamant about their position, the deadline for salvaging the season is fast approaching. In order to play a 48-game season, the lockout must be over by mid-January. If it's not, the league will lose another year of action.
While this may seem like business suicide, the NHL will survive the latest lockout because of one simple reason: the fans will always come back.
When the '04-05 lockout ended, fans came out to support the league in full force. Twenty-five of the league's 30 teams saw increased attendance from 2003-04 to 2005-06. In Pittsburgh, 33 percent more fans came to games the year followin ...
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Article written by Austin Green
NHL Lockout 2012: Fans Will Still Come Back If NHL Cancels Entire Season
December 29th, 2012 by Austin Green Leave a reply »
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