Tension Builds Following NHLPA's Annual Meetings
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Kelly Says NHL Given Due At
Presentations At Recent NHLPA Meeting |
There are “hints from across the [NHL] the sport is again in trouble,” according to Rick Westhead of the TORONTO STAR. A group of 80 NHLers last week gathered at the NHLPA's annual meetings in Colorado, where they “watched a video showing clips” of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman before the ’04-05 lockout. A source who attended the meeting said, “Bettman said before the lockout that the system needed to be fixed so there would be more affordable tickets for fans. Fact is, the lockout had nothing to do with that. The league wanted to increase franchise values and cut player salaries. If this was about affordable tickets, we wouldn’t see all the teams in the league jacking up prices.” NHLPA Communications Dir Jonathan Weatherdon Monday "scrolled through a series of recent news clips that showed some clubs are again complaining about their financial wherewithal … and jacking up ticket prices.” Union officials also told the the players that "some teams -- Phoenix and Florida were mentioned a number of times -- still lost money” even with the higher ticket prices. However, NHLPA Exec Dir Paul Kelly said that the presentations at the meeting “were evenly balanced.” Kelly: “We gave credit where it was due. We pointed out the NHL’s new sponsorships, and trumpeted the Winter Classic.” But Westhead writes, “Perception is reality and at least several players came away from the meetings believing they just heard more evidence about why the NHL is not to be trusted.” The NHLPA also “agreed to form a committee to decide whether to opt out of its labour agreement next summer, two years before its due to expire.” It “all adds up to a smoldering mistrust of the league that’s beginning to build among players” (TORONTO STAR, 6/18).
JOINING THE RUSH: TSN analyst and former NHLer Glenn Healy has been named NHLPA Dir of Player Affairs. The GLOBE & MAIL’s William Houston writes it is a “good hire by the NHLPA.” Healy, who is “bright and has plenty of good ideas,” will have “input into PA business initiatives and on-going issues involving the [CBA].” Healy: “Basically, everything to do with a player will come through me. … The scope is pretty enormous.” It is “speculated that Healy’s compensation at the NHLPA is significant, perhaps in excess of [C]$500,00 a year”(GLOBE & MAIL, 6/18).
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