Framework in Place for New NHL CBA?
Yesterday, both through a blog post here and on my Spreecast, I told hockey fans not to get too excited over the NHL's latest proposal because, mainly, there's still a big disparity in HRR (hockey-related revenue) among other things. It has forced the Players to reconvene and come up with another proposal themselves, which isn't a bad thing.Still, my feeling is that while the wheels appear to have been set in motion, the end destination is still miles, miles away.
However, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period has spoken to several sources around the NHL and believes the NHL's latest proposal, at worst, has set up a framework for a potential deal. Pagnotta's article discusses everything from how the NHL has redefined HRR specifically to new escrow calculations.
...before we truly toss jabs in the direction of the NHL and its owners, it should be noted that some of what was proposed, from a business perspective, is not unreasonable. In fact, it's something that can be bargained for at the table...
...there are positives out there, and it appears there are bits and pieces of a foundation being built, but the Players will look to respond to key elements of the latest proposal...
...there is still more than enough work that needs to be done between the two sides to reach a resolution and get the season on track, but the last two offers exchanged seems to be making, at the very least, some progress...
- On the surface, it appears (and I stress appears) the League is serious with this offer, rather than handing the Players a wish-list like the previous offer. However, it only dealt with HRR, escrow and did not included roll backs. Nothing about player contracts, free agency, ELC etc. has been addressed yet. It's the first step in many that lie ahead.
- I stress absolute patience with this: if this offer is truly something the Players' find is a start to actual bargaining, then the ball has officially begun to roll. But I'm holding my breath till the PA announces their proposal tomorrow.
Here is the one sentence that throws cold water on any hope that a deal is possible:
"the percentage of a player's salary put towards escrow would increase."
If escrow amounts increase while the player's share of the revenue also decreases then sorry you can forget about any deal. Not once have the players seen the money deducted for escrow come back to them at 100%. That is a double dip of their salary by the owners.Sorry but it gets old that every other day, false hopes are raised with these "3 card monte" proposals.
@TheProspectpark If Escrow is the hold up, then that's the players being greedy, uninformed, or both. The NHLPA takes a bigger chunk of revenue then any other sports players. If players don't get all their money back from escrow, it not cause the owners stole it, it's because the money was never there to begin with.
The cap is based on a projection of revenue. The money in escrow is simply insurance that everyone will get exactly what they are supposed to. If players don't get back 100% of their escrow contributions, its because the league didn't live up to projections. At the same time, the players DID get back their agreed upon percentage.
Get it done. I'm sick of hearing about this. Somehow I feel like they'd all rather have Sunday off than work toward getting a deal done on time. We'll see...
