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| For immediate release | November 16, 2000 |
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(OTTAWA) — The National Hockey League Fans' Association (NHLFA) has
released its third annual "Fan Report" poll which provides members of
the 16,000-plus NHLFA the opportunity to offer their opinions on a wide
range of NHL issues. In this latest poll, the NHLFA received more than
3,100 responses to 55 questions.
The Fan Report, made available via the Internet, asked NHLFA members to
respond to questions concerning rules and regulations, financial matters
and NHL leadership.
"The Fan Report is a gauge to measure how our membership feels about the
direction of our sport," says Jim Boone, co-founder of the Association.
"When 80 or 90 per cent of our members are in agreement on an issue, we
feel that's a cue to the players and the NHL to consider some kind of
remedial action."
Jim Spendlove, the Association's other founder, noted that this is the
third report in a row in which members have expressed their concern en
masse over poor ice quality around the League, as well as the high cost
of attending NHL games.
"Those are just two issues which really bother our members.
Unfortunately, the League seems to be doing little to make amends on
either of those fronts," said Spendlove.
Following are some highlights from the 2000 edition of the NHLFA Fan
Report:
- 88% feel ticket prices for NHL games are too high;
- 77% would like to see some form of team/player salary cap in the NHL;
- 63% of respondents believe the average NHL salary is too high, while 28 per cent think it's about right;
- 72% think referees should call games the same way in the first minute of play as in the last minute of play or in overtime;
- 86% believe there should be stricter standards or guidelines for ice quality in NHL arenas;
- 8% of members think fighting should be banned from the NHL; 89% do not want fighting banned;
- 45% of respondents believe new players entering the League should be required to wear a half visor as minimum face/eye protection.
Asked to rate Gary Bettman's performance as League Commissioner on a
scale from A to F (F being the poorest); 30% of respondents gave the
Commissioner a 'B' grade; 38% gave him a 'C' grade; and 19% per cent
felt the Commissioner deserved a 'D' rating. Three per cent awarded Mr.
Bettman an 'A,' while 10% per cent gave him a failing mark.
The NHLFA 2000 Fan Report is attached to this news release. The full
results of the 2000 Fan Report poll can also be viewed on-line at
http://www.nhlfa.com/fanreport/2000.asp
The NHLFA is an advocacy group for NHL fans that was launched in 1998.
The Fan Report is distributed annually to the media, the NHL and all NHL
players (to read the cover letter attached to each NHL players' Fan
Report, visit http://www.NHLFA.com/news/nr10_19_00.asp)
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