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| For immediate release | January 18, 2000 |
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(OTTAWA)—The National Hockey League Fans' Association (NHLFA.com) is pleased the Government of Canada has stepped in to assist the six remaining Canadian NHL franchises, but is less than encouraged by the inaction of the players and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA).
While taxpayers and the NHL will make financial contributions to Canadian teams, the players and their Association remain detached from the situation.
Earlier this season, the NHLFA wrote to every NHL player asking that they become involved and pay their fair share to ensure the survival and competitiveness of the Canadian teams in view of the huge salaries paid to players, almost all in U.S. dollars. Unfortunately, nothing was forthcoming from players or the NHLPA and so fans and taxpayers will pick up much of the tab to help keep professional hockey in Canada.
"We appreciate the efforts of Rod Bryden, owner of the Ottawa Senators, who pursued this issue on his own behalf, but also on behalf of all the small market Canadian teams," said Jim Boone, co-founder of the NHLFA. At the same time, Boone called on the NHL and the NHLPA to start working toward the establishment of a viable revenue-sharing plan for all NHL teams.
Bryden's vow to move his team to the U.S. if he was not granted "tax fairness" finally bore fruit with today's announcement that the Canadian government will provide up to $20 million to Canadian teams, based on a "shared solution" with other stakeholders.
Jim Spendlove, co-founder of the NHLFA, said that in view of the federal participation it is more important than ever that Mr. Bryden remain steadfast regarding hold-out centre Alexei Yashin and continue to press the player to fulfill the final year of his contractual obligation to the Ottawa Senators.
"This walk-out extends well beyond the Ottawa Senators and Mr. Bryden's continued firmness with regard to Alexei Yashin will send a message throughout the NHL that such action by players will no longer be accepted," Spendlove said.
NHLFA.com debuted in April 1998 to give fans a voice in the future of NHL hockey. Fans can join the 14,000-member Association by visiting its web site (www.nhlfa.com).
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