A "combination of tax breaks and money from sports
lotteries could be included" in the federal government's
"plan to help" Canada's NHL franchises, according to Jim
Morris of the CP. One source said of the plan: "The feds
are going to piggyback all of this stuff. I hear they're
going to encourage the municipalities to do it (give tax
breaks), match it and then come up with some lottery money"
(CP, 12/15). In Toronto, David Shoalts reports that the
"tax relief" could be introduced "as early as tomorrow"
(GLOBE & MAIL, 12/16). In Ottawa, Lisa Burke writes that if
Senators Chair Rod Bryden "doesn't get a response" about tax
relief before Christmas, "he'll no doubt be taking a more
serious look at offers" to sell (OTTAWA SUN, 12/16).
WHAT IS THE MOOD? In Toronto, David Shoalts: "The NHL
owners, not the [CBA], are behind the mess that ails all 28
teams. Player salaries have exploded in the 1990s because a
lot of owners and [GMs] were stupid and ill-prepared when it
came to contract negotiations." More Shoalts: "The federal
government has no business giving our money to the NHL"
(GLOBE & MAIL, 12/16). In Edmonton, Scott Haskins writes
that what he wants for the Holiday is for "the owners of
Canada's NHL teams to stop whining" (EDMONTON SUN, 12/16).
EMPTY SEATS: In N.Y., Joe Lapointe, noting the Kings-
Devils game Tuesday drew 10,807 to Continental Airlines
Arena, writes, "This type of scene is becoming commonplace
in too many [NHL] rinks." Though the NHL says leaguewide
attendance is "down" an average of only 32 fans per game,
from 16,097 to 16,065, the Devils have "dropped" from 16,382
to 14,236. Lapointe notes tickets available even in "fancy
new arenas" in Montreal and L.A.: "All of this in an era of
economic prosperity. What would happen in a recession?"
Devils C Bobby Holik: "All the players can do is play.
That's our part. The rest is up to people in charge of
marketing this sport" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/16).
