Crisis in Canada.

[u crank]

Okay, never mind the Middle East or that pointless U.S. election. Forget global warming or Willy and Kate. Boys, we gotta real situation up here.

National Hockey League locks out players.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/09/15/nhl-lockout-deadline-passes

Most people in the rest of the world have no idea of the potential for civil and social unrest now. People will wander the streets aimlessly on Saturday nights mumbling "where's Don and Ron?" Menfolk will be forced, yes I tell ya, forced to talk to wives and girlfriends. They will have to help their kids with homework and do chores. They'll have to take up weird hobbys and go on the internet. Worse, they will be forced to watch other sports and give their misguided opinions. Lookout Soopaman2! Sales of beer and chicken wings will drop causing a financial crisis and there will be line-ups at the local mental health clinics. What people will talk about on Monday mornings is anybody's guess.

I sure hope the U.N. doesn't have to get involved.

I gotta go lay down now....

[Betonov]

What do you mean by ''other sports'' ????? :06:

[u crank]

What do you mean by ''other sports'' ????? :06:

Well I'd have to look them up first.:har:

[soopaman2]

Being a New Jersey Devils fan, and smelling a cup this year, it is a crisis here too.

The last strike nearly killed hockey in America, it became so much less popular and never recovered like baseball did after their strike in the early 90s. (and that took 2 roided up people to hit a bunch of homeruns, Right Sammy and Mark?)

Both the players and the owners forget one thing.

It is the fans who make the sports world go around, we buy your jerseys, pay 8$ per beer, pay 50$ to sit in the nosebleed sections. Plus 16$ for parking, tolls to get to and from the game, deal with massive traffic to and from. etc...I really can go on.

So grow up you bunch of pantywearing greedy bastards, you could man a jackhammer, or lift boxes on some dock for 10$ an hour if playing a game for millions is too hard on you guys. Real people do what you guys do for fun. Come back to reality.

[Betonov]

What does it actually mean, locked out players :hmmm:

[soopaman2]

What does it actually mean, locked out players :hmmm:


It is the step before a strike/work stoppage in this case.

The origins of the term, Locked out refers to early union busting days when they would hire scabs (replacement workers) and lock out the picketing workers from the factories. The term stuck, though scabs in Hockey would be unwatchable. So instead they hold the fan hostage in an attempt to sway public opinion one way or the other.

The lock out is the owners way of telling the players to fornicate with themselves.

[u crank]

Both the players and the owners forget one thing...


Ya, there's no doubt that both sides are equally guilty of greed and have little regard for the fans who pay to watch. This is Bettman's third work stoppage in his presidency. That's not a bad record. :O: And the NHLPA is probably pro sports most incompetent union. Bad combination.

Devils came close last year. :yep:

I'm a Leaf fan. Long time. I may not have to listen to that laughter this year.:har:

[soopaman2]

I'm a Leaf fan. Long time. I may not have to listen to that laughter this year.:har:

At risk of being chastized for going off topic, I will say I respect a die hard, a heck of alot more than a fair weather fan. Enjoy the laughs, it only makes the eventual victory so much better.

Back on topic, I do not want to take a side here, I know too little of the real details of the labor dispute. But it all comes down to a bunch of people who make too much money to play a sport, and a bunch of owners who make too much money from fees for people to enjoy the sport.

Both sides should die in a fire. Just pure disregard to the fan, and not even an apology to us from either side.

I am surprised they aren't asking for a government bailout, they remind me of the banks in this utter greed and screw you attitude to the folks who provide their revenue.

Edit: Maybe we should take away the anti-monopoly exemption on them. Seeing as how pro sports in America is exempt from monopolization laws that other money making enterprises have to answer too, and the players union is not a real union, those guys do not work, they play a game.

Can I get paid for playing Call Of Duty?

[u crank]

At risk of being chastized for going off topic, I will say I respect a die hard, a heck of alot more than a fair weather fan. Enjoy the laughs, it only makes the eventual victory so much better.

Die hard or a fool. Born in Toronto and grew up in Ontario. Nuff said. I was 17 the last time they won.:O:

Well it's not just greed, but power as well. Both sides want the upper hand. The league had 3 billion in revenues last year. The average NHL salary is 2.4 million. Teams are spending incredulous amounts to sign marginal free agents. I don't see the problem. Why do the fans pay the price? But it's nothing new.

Good luck with the 'Niners tonight. :rock:

[soopaman2]

Lifelong NY Knickerbocker fan (Basketball). Never won a title in my life, not doing anything to even suggest they want to win one. Carmello Anthony a leader? Letting Jeremy Lin go? Really?

We are all foolish. Too foolish for our own good. But sports gives us something to root for or against other than real life wars, an excuse to hate without mass deaths. I love sports!

The Niners don't need luck, just the defense they showed in Lambeau last week, Thanks:salute:

I hope this gets resolved, it would be in the leagues best interest to serve the fans best interest. I am talking from an economical viewpoint, Hockey is last in the major sports category in popularity in America.

The last strike nearly killed the sport here, it took 4 years for it to even receive proper coverage, even now it is still lagging somewhere slightly ahead of Major league Soccer in America.

Such a great sport, it is a shame!

[u crank]

We are all foolish. Too foolish for our own good. But sports gives us something to root for or against other than real life wars, an excuse to hate without mass deaths. I love sports!

One thing about your team never winning is you get to root for others. Two years ago the Bruins won the cup and a friend of mine and former employer was a life long Boston fan. I couldn't have been happier. He waited a long time for it, 71/72. Also bruins defenceman Adam McQuaid is a local boy. Buys his car insurance from my wife.

I hope this gets resolved, it would be in the leagues best interest to serve the fans best interest. I am talking from an economical viewpoint, Hockey is last in the major sports category in popularity in America.

The last strike nearly killed the sport here, it took 4 years for it to even receive proper coverage, even now it is still lagging somewhere slightly ahead of Major league Soccer in America.

Such a great sport, it is a shame!

Equally hard on the small market teams up here. Look at Winnipeg. First year back. That's gotta hurt them. It is a shame.

[Jimbuna]

Sooo....not fully understanding the situation, who suffers the most during the process....the fans?

[u crank]

Sooo....not fully understanding the situation, who suffers the most during the process....the fans?

Actually, Jim, everybody suffers. The teams get no revenue, the players don't get paid and the fans are denied games to watch. Typical labour dispute, no winners.

Oh well I may have to try something new. What's this cricket game you guys watch? :O:

[Madox58]

Bomb 'em.

Or better yet?
Have a Politician give 'em a stern faced, scowly faced, talkin' to!

That should fix things.
:har:

[soopaman2]

American Congress had no problems dragging people into hearings over steroids in baseball, lets see them drag the owners and player unions in for hearings too.

Threaten the anti-trust exemption they enjoy. I see the anti-trust exemption as a mandate to provide entertainment. If not lets abolish it, and let competition spring up. Maybe the NHL will wake up when they have actual competition for the players. (Like the old AFL/NFL days)

[u crank]

Maybe the NHL will wake up when they have actual competition for the players. (Like the old AFL/NFL days)

Happened before. World Hockey Association. Lasted from 1972-79 before merging with the big league. Good for the players, salaries took a big jump. Good for Canada, we got three new teams, Quebec, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Edmonton had this kid named Gretzky.

It is a monopoly run by billionaires, like most pro sports. These guys are also in a battle with each other for broadcast deals, turf and free agents. Gee I'd love to play that game.:D

Bomb 'em.

That's one option. Another is a good ass kicking. So, Mr Bettman, sir. Hold still.:har:

[Jimbuna]

Actually, Jim, everybody suffers. The teams get no revenue, the players don't get paid and the fans are denied games to watch. Typical labour dispute, no winners.

Oh well I may have to try something new. What's this cricket game you guys watch? :O:

LOL....give it time, cricket is starting to head down that path in the individual countries....India being amongst the first with their IPL (Indian Premier League:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/content/current/series/520932.html

[soopaman2]

LOL....give it time, cricket is starting to head down that path in the individual countries....India being amongst the first with their IPL (Indian Premier League:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/content/current/series/520932.html

Do other countries have protected sports leagues too?

Like ours are exempt from anti-trust laws.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_antitrust_law

Making something like the NFL/AFL (american football leagues before merger. Real mans football, not your little kickball game:D) seem unlikely to ever happen.

I heard of the EPL for Euro football, but is there others, is there drama over offshoots?

I know I risk an off topic thing, but I am curious if our pro leagues are unique.