2012 CBA Negotiations Thread

[bustaheims]

Also, while, we're at it, isn't the whole "players don't get paid during the playoffs" angle kind of meaningless these days? Revenues generated in the playoffs still count as HRR and players still get 57 or 50 or whatever percentage of it ultimately.

Depends on whether or not the players believe that the leverage they get from taking that revenue away from the owners would lead them to be more open to settling on a deal that's closer to the players' terms. Losing the playoffs could mean fairly significant increases in operating losses for a number of teams, and that might be enough for the owners to put serious pressure on Bettman and Daly to get a deal done in time to save them.

 

[Kin]

You're right, I probably should have said "similar tactics," but, nevertheless, my point still stands.

No, I think you're completely misrepresenting what happened in 1994. The idea that the PA struck when they did to maximize or even exert leverage really isn't true.

The problem there is, once the disclaimer of interest goes through, no team would own the rights to any players anymore. Technically, absent a valid CBA, they don't own them right now.

I don't think that significantly affects Subban's ability to file suit if the lockout continues though.

Depends on whether or not the players believe that the leverage they get from taking that revenue away from the owners would lead them to be more open to settling on a deal that's closer to the players' terms. Losing the playoffs could mean fairly significant increases in operating losses for a number of teams, and that might be enough for the owners to put serious pressure on Bettman and Daly to get a deal done in time to save them.

It might but that's a pretty far stone's throw from the idea that striking right before the playoffs is some devious plan that sees the players earn a ton of money and then hit the owners right where it hurts. It's certainly not an appropriate boogeyman that explains why the lockout was necessary when the business was profitable.

 

[Joe S.]

Really? The op didn't say 'right before the playoffs' they said 'playoffs are in the not to distant future'.

I didn't quote him. I quoted Busta who said:

Which is exactly why the NHL, NBA and NFL all went the way of the lockout in their labour disputes. It protects them from a situation where the players could strike right before the playoffs (after they've earned the entirety of their guaranteed salary) and takes a high leverage option away from them. And, for what it's worth, both Fehr and the NHLPA have used that strategy in the past.

I think that puts me on pretty solid ground, champ.

True enough.