NHLPA Today Could Make Counterproposal To NHL's Latest CBA Offer

The NHLPA today "could offer a counterproposal" in ongoing CBA talks with the NHL, "although numerous issues remain unresolved as a Sept. 15 expiration date – and perhaps a lockout – looms." Among the "snags that surfaced publicly" yesterday are "how to agree on what is included in hockey-related revenues (HRR) before that pie is divided and a proposed increase in escrow set aside by players, rather than a salary rollback" (NEWSDAY, 8/30).

The NHL’s offer has been characterized as a 50-50 split with players, but players don’t see it that way, sources said. “Their proposal goes to 50 percent of HRR, based on the way they define HRR. The way we look at it, they didn’t go to 50-50, they went to 46 (percent),” said one source. The reason for that is the NHL is redefining and reducing what revenues are included in HRR. Under the original proposal made by the league in July, HRR going to players would be reduced from 57% to 43%, using the old definition of HRR (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal).