|
Download 2005 CBA (in PDF format)
When did hockey come to this?
NHLFA's 30 second PSA video
To view a Windows Media Viewer video please click here. (3.6 Megabytes)
To view a Quicktime video please click here. (5.5 Megabytes)
PSA Commercial Credits:
Steve Emmens - Director of Broadcast Production/Executive Producer
David Daga - Writer
Spy Films: Luc Frappier - Executive Producer, Duane Crichton - Director,
Mark Milliard - Line Producer,
Adam Marsden - D.O.P.
Vapor Music: Roger Harris - Creative Director, Steve Gadsden - Sound Designer & Engineer, Edwin Hyatt - Music Composer
Relish: Kate Bate - Executive Producer, Ross Birchall - Editor, Tina Kallimanis - Assistant Editor
Crush Inc.: Jo-ann Cook - Executive Producer, Patty Bradley - Producer,
David Whiteson - Inferno Artist, Dan Margules - Junior Inferno Artist
The following is the NHLFA's position on the CBA conflict. This information
is based on polls of our Members throughout 2004 and 2005:
Eighty nine percent (89%) of our Members clearly support a salary cap or
strict luxury tax for NHL teams' players' salaries.
When asked, "where do you place most of the blame for the current impasse?"
our Members pointed the finger at Players or the NHLPA (34%); Owners or the
NHL (14%); both are equally to blame (52%).
Our Members are not very optimistic that there will be NHL hockey this
season due to the lockout. More than 86% feel the season is lost.
Furthermore 77% of fans feel the lockout and possible loss of the season
will have a profound negative effect on the NHL game.
There is a split regarding the NHL's use of replacement players next season.
We asked: Do you support the contemplated action of the NHL to use
replacement players next hockey season if the players and owners are unable
to agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)?
46% Yes
42% No
10% Don't Know
2% No Opinion
Again, there was split opinion when our Members were asked: How many games
would you attend if the NHL used replacement players next hockey season?
35% I would attend the same number of games
15% I would attend fewer games
32% I would not attend games with replacement players
15% Don't Know
2% No Opinion
When the parties do finally get back to the bargaining table, it's clear
which party fans feel "must make significant concessions while negotiating
the new CBA".
4% Owners
51% Players
43% Both Parties
1% Don't Know
1% No Opinion
When asked: "Do you think Gary Bettman is doing a good job representing the
owners in the CBA negotiations?" 28% of our Members answered "yes"; 57%
replied "no". Similarly, when asked "Do you think Bob Goodenow is doing a
good job representing the players in the CBA negotiations? Only 9% of NHLFA
Members answered "yes" and 77% responded "no".
Fans and the NHLFA believe that we are the primary stakeholders, and both
the NHL and NHL Players' Association are fighting over the money we spend on
the game. Furthermore, the NHLFA would like to see both parties engage the
services of a third party mediator/arbitrator, but both have declined our
suggestion to adopt this means of resolution.
The NHLFA has been conducting an exhaustive media campaign over the past few
weeks. Some American Members have asked us why we aren't doing more with
the U.S. media. The simple answer is that hockey isn't a high profile sport
in some parts of the U.S and it's very hard to get coverage. We would love
to do more. If Members can interest their local media in doing a story on
the Association, we'd be happy to speak to them, or to have Members speak to
them. (Just keep in mind that if you're speaking on behalf of the NHLFA,
you don't want to be giving your personal views, but the views of our
Association.) The following media outlets have interviewed the NHLFA for
fans' perspective on the lock out:
St. Paul Pioneer Press (radio)
Calgary (radio)
Edmonton (radio)
Halifax (radio)
CBC National News (television)
SportsNet (television)
The Hockey News
CBC Radio "As it Happens"
National Post (newspaper)
CBC Newsworld (television)
CTV National News (television)
New RO (Ottawa)
The Ottawa Citizen (newspaper)
TSN (television)
Le Droit (newspaper)
Washington Post (newspaper)
Global News (television)
The NHLFA will continue to seek ways to have the fans opinions heard during
the lock out. Please encourage your friends, family and colleagues to join
our Association. The more hockey fans we have on our rolls, the more clout
we wield.
| 
