Well it’s been awhile. Not intentionally, just the way things worked out. Has much happened since I last posted? In a word… yes.
There are several things that I want to share, but first I must get this off my chest. Yesterday was, in my opinion, the blackest day in professional sports history. I am so disgusted, frustrated, and downright pissed that Mr. Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow have taken it upon themselves to destroy the tradition and livelihood of millions of people for simple selfishness. They have completely disregarded the fans of the National Hockey League and everything the Stanley Cup stands for. For those unaware, yesterday February 16th, 2005 at approximately 10 AM Pacific, Gary Bettman the Commissioner of the NHL officially cancelled the 2004-2005 hockey season. This coming after over five months of sparse negotiations ending with both sides being closer to an agreement than at any other time. They have violently stabbed this sport through the heart.
We all heard the speculation from the beginning that the season may be in jeopardy and that there may not be a season until 2006. But in my heart of hearts I never truly believed the dispute would go that far, or that they would let it. And I don’t think that most fans thought it would either. After all, the NHL is a multi billion dollar business. Why would they risk losing all that money? But they have. It’s simply billionaires fighting with millionaires. And what about Joe Fan? Too bad, so sad. Bettman saying he’s sorry at his press conference, but I simply cannot believe or trust him. And that goes for the Players Association representative Bob Goodenow as well. I believe both Bettman and Goodenow should be immediately removed from their positions, and replaced with real negotiators who want and know how to get a deal in place that works for both sides. I don’t care about the argument that players make too much money. So do most people in the entertainment business. I don’t differentiate between professional sports players and actors or musicians. So the money to me is a mute point.
What does matter to me is being shafted by the only sport that I am truly passionate about. The same one my two sons love. This is part of my culture, and something that I can share with my children. I love this sport, and I love my team. And I am no different than millions of others who feel the same way. What really sickens me is that after toying with our (the fan’s) emotions for the last five months, they have cancelled the season over what would seem to be a measly 6.5 million dollars. Sure that’s a lot of money to me or you but put into the perspective of the industry and its pocket change. The NHL is a 2.1 billion dollar industry annually, what’s 6.5 million?
Now I’m hurt that they have done this, but at least I can continue to work and feed my family, but what about the uncountable numbers of individuals who count on a NHL season for their livelihood? I am not talking about the players who make millions of dollars, or even the players on the bottom end that brings in only 600k. But I am speaking of the front desk people, the hotel and restaurant workers, and the taxi cabbies and others who have all taken hourly cuts in shifts and or pay cuts. Or those who may have lost their jobs completely due to lack of business affected by this ridiculous situation the lock-out has created. No, the NHL and NHLPA care so much that after trying to make their points for the last five months, bantering back and forth, that they come within reach of a real agreement that would have seen the end of all this nonsense and fix most of the damage done, just to let their gigantic egos get in the way. They have destroyed the loyalty of their fans and have tainted the game for future generations. Not to mention bringing undue hardships upon countless families that now need to find a new way to put food on their tables.
Shame on the NHL and the NHLPA, and especially on Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow. You make me sick.