If we needed any more proof that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was going to be ruthless in negotiations during the lockout, we got it on Friday when the Toronto Star reported that Bettman plans to cancel the 2013 Winter Classic.
There was hope that the NHLPA and the league would come to a resolution because of the Winter Classic, which brings in a great deal of revenue for the NHL.
But the leverage the players thought they had may be up in flames now because Bettman makes his stance clear with his latest strategy: the league is prepared to wait it out until it gets what it wants.
So much for peace and love on Earth, eh?
You'll remember that Bettman and the owners asked players to take a 24 percent cut to their salaries in the original proposal for the new collective bargaining agreement, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. When that didn't work, the NHL cut that number down to 9.7 percent, but the number was still too high for the players.
Players agreed to take a pay cut, but wanted revenue sharing included in the deal. Bettman wouldn't budge, and now here we are, in danger of the entire 2012-2013 season being forfeited ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Ryan Rudnansky
NHL Lockout 2012: Gary Bettman’s Stance on Winter Classic Is Concerning
September 21st, 2012 by Ryan Rudnansky Leave a reply »
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