PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The Philadelphia 76ers will “Paint the Town Blue” in a full-team, whirlwind tour of Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 24 to help celebrate the start of the regular season and their new blue jerseys.
Members of the entire team, including coaches and players, will make eight total stops, detailed below. The first and fourth stops are not open to the public.
The Sixers’ “Paint the Town Blue” event will tip off Sixers Week, presented by Independence Blue Cross, a week's worth of events and activities to get Philadelphia excited for the start of the season. The Sixers, in conjunction with Independence Blue Cross, are truly changing the game this season.
All coach and player appearances subject to change.
STOP ONE: JERSEY PRESENTATION TO WINNER OF THE “PIN TO WIN” CONTEST (NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
Address: 51 Ralston Ave., Haverford, PA 19083
Time: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Details: Sixers Forward Lavoy Allen, rookie Guard Maalik Wayns and Forward Devin Searcey will present a customized blue jersey to Matthew Frankel, the winner of the Sixers’ “Pin to Win” Pinterest contest.
STOP TWO: JERSEY PRESENTATION TO COMCAST AND PUBLIC AUTOGRAPH SESSION
Address: The Market & Shops at Comcast Center (1701 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia)
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Details: Sixers Forward/Center Spencer Hawes, Center Kwame Brown, and Assistant Coach Aaron McKie will present Comcast with a blue jersey and sign autographs for fans.
STOP THREE: JERSEY PRESENTATION TO WELLS FARGO AND PUBLIC AUTOGRAPH SESSION
Address: Wells Fargo Bank (123 S. Broad St., Philadelphia)
Time: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Details: Sixers Guards Evan Turner and Royal Ivey, along with Assistant Coach Jeff Capel and Assistant Coach/Video Coordinator Monte Shubik, will present a blue jersey to Wells Fargo and sign autographs for fans.
STOP FOUR: JERSEY PRESENTATION TO INDEPENDENCE BLUE CROSS (NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
Address: Independence Blue Cross (1901 Market St., Philadelphia)
Time: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Details: Sixers Head Coach Doug Collins, Forward Dorell Wright and Guard/Forward Damien Wilkins will visit the offices of the team’s Sixers Week and opening night sponsor, presenting a blue jersey to Independence Blue Cross Executive Vice President and CFO Alan Krigstein, meeting employees and passing out the blue “50 Seasons” and Independence Blue Cross logoed opening night T-shirts.
STOP FIVE: JERSEY PRESENTATION TO PHILADELPHIA POLICE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, FOLLOWED BY PUBLIC AUTOGRAPH SESSION
Address: MSB Building (1401 JFK Blvd., Lower Level, Philadelphia)
Time: 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Details: Sixers Forward Thaddeus Young, Associate Head Coach Michael Curry and 76ers Ambassador of Basketball World B. Free will present a blue Sixers jersey to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, followed by an autograph signing for city workers and the public in the concourse area of the MSB Building.
STOP SIX: JERSEY PRESENTED TO MCDONALD’S AND PUBLIC AUTOGRAPH SESSION
Address: McDonald’s (52nd and Jefferson Sts., Philadelphia)
Time: 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Details: Sixers Guard Jason Richardson, rookie Forward Arnett Moultrie and Assistant Coach Brian James will present a blue jersey to McDonald’s and sign autographs for customers. McDonald’s will also sell small French fries for just $0.76 during the hour.
STOP SEVEN: ANDREW BYNUM TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS AT TEAM STORE AT WELLS FARGO CENTER; ONLY TIME FANS CAN PURCHASE NEW BLUE JERSEYS BEFORE THE HOME OPENER
Address: Fan Zone at the Wells Fargo Center (11th Street side, 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia)
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Details: Sixers Center Andrew Bynum will sign autographs at the Fan Zone store at the Wells Fargo Center. This will be the only chance fans will have to purchase the Sixers new blue road jerseys before the home opener.
STOP EIGHT: SIXERS TURN CIRA CENTRE BLUE AND PUBLIC AUTOGRAPH SESSION
Address: Cira Centre (2929 Market St., Philadelphia)
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Details: Sixers Guards Jrue Holiday and Nick Young will literally “paint the town” by turning the Cira Centre’s lights blue and then sign autographs there for fans.
The Sixers open the regular season at home when they host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, October 31 at the Wells Fargo Center at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Raudabaugh returns to Soul
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Soul have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with one of the Arena Football League’s top quarterbacks, Dan Raudabaugh.
The Soul’s assignment of Raudabaugh by the League Office keeps the veteran signal caller in Philadelphia through the 2014 season.
“This is a significant first transaction for our organization,” said Soul general manager Tom Goodhines. “After a successful season in 2012, it is important to retain our core players and Dan is one of the centerpieces we targeted. We are excited to have him lead us back to the ArenaBowl.”
Raudabaugh guided the Soul’s record-setting offense – highlighted by 1,228 points scored – with an outstanding season that earned the team an American Conference Championship and an ArenaBowl appearance. He finished the 2012 regular season by completing 362-of-540 passes (67.0 percent) and establishing single-season franchise records for passing yards (4,790) and touchdowns (115).
“This is a quarterback-driven league, so it is extremely important to make sure you have a top quarterback locked in,” said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. “Dan is a proven leader on and off the field. He has been familiar in our system for the past few seasons and continues to improve each year.”
Prior to coming to Philadelphia, Raudabaugh began his AFL career with the Dallas Vigilantes (2010-11). In two seasons with the Vigilantes, Raudabaugh played in 20 games, including one playoff game, completing 391-of-557 (64.8 percent) passes, with 100 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He took over as the signal-caller duties in the final two games of the 2010 season and retained the job going into the 2011 season.
During his collegiate career (2005-09), the former RedHawk ranked No. 5 in all-time passing yards (5,352). He was No. 3 in all-time career completions (511) and also No. 3 in the school’s all-time pass attempts (916). Raudabaugh was the starting quarterback during each of his four letter-winning seasons, and was awarded the No. 1 spot on the depth chart as a red-shirt freshman.
The Soul’s assignment of Raudabaugh by the League Office keeps the veteran signal caller in Philadelphia through the 2014 season.
“This is a significant first transaction for our organization,” said Soul general manager Tom Goodhines. “After a successful season in 2012, it is important to retain our core players and Dan is one of the centerpieces we targeted. We are excited to have him lead us back to the ArenaBowl.”
Raudabaugh guided the Soul’s record-setting offense – highlighted by 1,228 points scored – with an outstanding season that earned the team an American Conference Championship and an ArenaBowl appearance. He finished the 2012 regular season by completing 362-of-540 passes (67.0 percent) and establishing single-season franchise records for passing yards (4,790) and touchdowns (115).
“This is a quarterback-driven league, so it is extremely important to make sure you have a top quarterback locked in,” said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. “Dan is a proven leader on and off the field. He has been familiar in our system for the past few seasons and continues to improve each year.”
Prior to coming to Philadelphia, Raudabaugh began his AFL career with the Dallas Vigilantes (2010-11). In two seasons with the Vigilantes, Raudabaugh played in 20 games, including one playoff game, completing 391-of-557 (64.8 percent) passes, with 100 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He took over as the signal-caller duties in the final two games of the 2010 season and retained the job going into the 2011 season.
During his collegiate career (2005-09), the former RedHawk ranked No. 5 in all-time passing yards (5,352). He was No. 3 in all-time career completions (511) and also No. 3 in the school’s all-time pass attempts (916). Raudabaugh was the starting quarterback during each of his four letter-winning seasons, and was awarded the No. 1 spot on the depth chart as a red-shirt freshman.
Temple-Louisville to kick off at noon
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple BIG EAST football game at Louisville on Nov. 3 will kick off at Noon at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
ABC will televise the game regionally.
Temple (3-3, 2-1 BIG EAST) travels to Pittsburgh (3-4, 0-3) on Oct. 27 for a Noon game at Heinz Field. The BIG EAST Network (shown locally on 6ABC) will televise the game nationally.
ABC will televise the game regionally.
Temple (3-3, 2-1 BIG EAST) travels to Pittsburgh (3-4, 0-3) on Oct. 27 for a Noon game at Heinz Field. The BIG EAST Network (shown locally on 6ABC) will televise the game nationally.
Worst 10 Flyers Games of the 1980s
Phanatic Hockey Editor
The Phanatic presents the third in an occasional series recalling the best and worst games in Philadelphia Flyers history. It continues with a look at the perils and pitfalls for the Orange and Black during the Decade of Decadence.
Ahhhh, the 80s. When the Broad Street Bullies era came to an end but not before an NHL-record 35-game unbeaten streak and an ill-fated trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. When some fashion faux pas (see picture at left) framed some underperforming teams, and a franchise Renaissance occurred by merging the spirit of the 70s with the European influx of the 80s.
That doesn't mean there weren't some big missteps along the way, as growth and change always produces some painful moments.
10. November 6, 1986: Flyers 5, Devils 5 at the Meadowlands -- For most of Mike Keenan's tenure, losing a simple hockey game was met with the same negative reaction some generals feel when they've lost a war. Early in his third season at the helm, against a New Jersey team which hadn't finished higher than fifth in the Patrick Division, the visitors wasted a 5-1 lead with roughly nine minutes remaining. Claude Loiselle, Aaron Broten, Greg Adams and Doug Sulliman did the damage. The tie came two nights after a 7-1 demolition of these same Devils at the Spectrum, and marked the first time in Keenan's tenure the club blew a four-goal lead at any point and failed to win.
9. February 13, 1988: Maple Leafs 7, Flyers 4 at Maple Leaf Gardens -- Nope, it's not the score that helped vault this game on the list -- though Toronto did only win 21 games out of 80 all year -- but it's the fact that a club-record 25 shots on goal in the second period produced a single goal against Ken Wregget. Ron Hextall, on the other hand, allowed four on nine shots in the middle frame, then two more in the third. In all, 53 Philadelphia shots weren't enough to secure a victory against a team competing for worst in the NHL.
8. December 17, 1985: Devils 7, Flyers 4 at the Meadowlands -- Yeah, some freaky things happened to the Orange and Black up the Turnpike in the 80s. In this one, Jersey chased rookie goalie Darren Jensen early and coasted thanks to a five-goal first period. What was there left to do, but start pounding on the innocent? When defenseman Joe Cirella scored at the 10-minute mark of the second, it was 7-1 for the home team, and Philly, the best team in the league at that point, managed a weak comeback.
7. December 30, 1987: Oilers 6, Flyers 0 at Northlands Coliseum -- Philly's first trip back to Edmonton since losing Game 7 of the previous Spring's Stanley Cup Finals went worse than they could have expected. Riding a league-high 14 game unbeaten streak (12-0-2) into the Canadian portion of their holiday road trip, Hextall was shelled for all six goals on 29 shots, and the game was sewn up in the first period thanks to strikes from Jari Kurri, Kevin Lowe and Esa Tikkanen. Wayne Gretzky, who assisted on all three scores, later added a third-period marker.
6. December 3, 1985: Red Wings 4, Flyers 1 at Joe Louis Arena -- Never talented enough to be an NHL starter, Mark Laforest gained back some goalie cred with his winning performance in the Alumni Game before last year's Winter Classic. What people don't know is that he recorded his first NHL victory against the Flyers, in a year when Detroit won 17 games and was so desperate for help in the crease, the club recalled him from the AHL to face what was one of the top two offenses in the league. He stopped 35 shots on the night, including a half-dozen point-blank chances. Bob Froese, on the other hand, helped the Wings win by allowing two goals from 50 feet or more.
5. November 27, 1988: Sabres 7, Flyers 3 at Memorial Auditorium -- Paul Holmgren's first year as head coach featured this game, the final piece to a 1-9-1 slide which pulled his club into the dregs of the Patrick Division. Ahead 3-2 after two periods, the game exploded in Philly's faces, as Buffalo scored five times in the final 20 minutes to steal a victory. Two days later, the first head to roll became Peter Zezel, who struggled for the better part of a year and a half, dealt to St. Louis for reclamation project Mike Bullard.
4. March 19, 1988: Penguins 7, Flyers 0 at Capital Centre -- The first signs that Pittsburgh was about to break from its decade-long doldrums came early in this season, when it was able to swing a deal to bring Paul Coffey over from Edmonton. The second, was that Mario Lemieux started inflicting some serious damage on his tormentors from Southeastern PA. In the final Steel City contest of four between the teams in 1987-88, the Pens laid a hurting down on the visitors. The seven-goal margin marks the largest for Pitt against the Flyers in their 45-year rivalry, and this game still stands as the largest shutout loss by the club in Western PA.
3. November 21, 1982: Capitals 10, Flyers 4 at Capital Centre -- In its eighth year of existence, Washington had yet to snag a playoff berth, and only snapped a long winless slide in Philadelphia the previous December. To this point, the Caps had only scored as many as six goals against the Orange and Black on one occasion in the previous 30 meetings, so this double-digit explosion came as quite a shock. But it wasn't when you consider Philly committed a whopping 22 penalties, and the Capitals pumped five power-play goals past Rick St. Croix, who stopped 29-of-39 shots in the blowout. Dennis Maruk totaled three goals and three assists, and AHL journeyman Tim Tookey also added a trifecta.
2. January 2, 1981: Jets 4, Flyers 3 at Winnipeg Arena -- Only 10 days earlier, the second-year NHL entry from Winnipeg managed to halt a league-record 30-game winless streak (0-23-7) by beating the Colorado Rockies. After three more losses, Winnipeg managed to pick up its third win of the year against Pat Quinn's club -- one which went 11-0-2 earlier in the season and only lost three games from mid-October to mid-December. A four-goal first period was enough to hand the fearsome Flyers, who were tied for the second-best record in the NHL behind the Islanders, an embarrassing loss. Doug Smail, Willy Lindstrom, Dave Christian and Thomas Steen beat St. Croix, and Pierre Hamel stopped 36 pucks. It was the most glaring defeat in a season-worst 1-5-2 stretch.
1. October 27, 1981: Canadiens 11, Flyers 2 at the Forum -- There are easier ways to see an unbeaten streak end than a nine-goal blowout loss on the road to one of your rivals from the previous decade. Still, the Flyers chose to do many things the hard way during the entire turbulent 1981-82 season. After setting a still-standing club record by going eight games without a loss (7-0-1) from the start of the year, it all exploded in a span of 20 minutes. The Habs chased starter Pete Peeters before the first period was over, jumping out to a 6-0 lead after one period and didn't take their foot off the accelerator. A grinder of the late 80's and early 90s for Philadelphia, Keith Acton was once a scoring winger and recorded a hat trick in the rout. Steve Shutt and Mario Tremblay added two goals each.
The game set several dubious records: most goals scored by Montreal against Philadelphia in one game, largest margin of victory for either side against the other, worst loss by the Flyers on the road against any other NHL club.
Be sure to stay tuned to the Phanatic for the next in the series, top Flyers goaltending performances (non-Parent division).
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
College hockey coming to Wells Fargo Center in January
The inaugural Philadelphia College Hockey Faceoff, to be contested at the Wells Fargo Center, will feature the University of Vermont and Penn State University
on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
This marks the first-ever Division I college hockey game at
the Wells Fargo Center ,which will host the 2014 Men’s NCAA Frozen
Four.
The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) will serve as the host for the event on April 10 and 12, 2014.
Vermont, a member of the Hockey East conference, started out its 2012-13 season by earning a 1-1 tie with No. 6 U-Mass Lowell
on October 12. Vermont’s roster includes defenseman Nick Luukko, a 2010 Flyers draft pick from West Chester, PA, and forward
Kyle Mountain of Bryn Mawr, PA, who was invited to attend the
Flyers’ 2012 summer prospect camp. Other NHL draft picks playing for
the Catamounts include forwards
Connor Brickley (Florida, 2nd rd. 2010) and Brett Bruneteau (Washington, 4th rd. 2007) and defenseman
Michael Paliotta (Chicago, 3rd rd. 2011). Other Catamounts native to the greater Philadelpha region include forwards
Colin Markison (Princeton, NJ/Pennington) and Chris McCarthy (Collegeville, PA/US National Development Program).
Penn
State is beginning its first season as an NCAA Division I hockey
program after several decades as one of the country’s most
successful club ice hockey programs. The school last fielded a varsity
ice hockey team in 1947. The Nittany Lions picked up their first-ever
Division I win on October 13 with a 4-3 overtime victory over American
International College. The team’s young roster
includes sophomore forward Max Gardiner, a third-round draft
pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2010, who becomes the first-ever NHL
draft choice to play for the school. Also toiling for the Nittany Lions
are four players from the greater Philadelphia
region: defensemen Rich O’Brien (Furlong, PA/Central Bucks East), Connor Varley (Lansdale, PA/La Salle) and
Peter Sweetland (Newtown, PA/Pennsbury) along with forward Dominic Morrone
(Sewell, NJ/St. Augustine Prep). Penn State will play the 2012-13
season as an independent before joining the new Big 10 hockey conference
next season, at which time it
will also move in to the new 6,000-seat Pegula Ice Arena on the State
College campus.
Monday, October 22, 2012
College hockey round-up: Week 2
The second full weekend of Division I college hockey was completed over the weekend, with a milestone and a celebration framing some exciting action.
The top-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers split a pair on Friday and Saturday night in a two-game set at Michigan Tech. Despite dropping Friday's opener by a 5-3 count, the national semifinalists claimed a 3-2 victory on Saturday which gave head coach Don Lucia his 600th career win. Lucia became just the 10th coach in college hockey to reach the milestone.
Minnesota, however, slid to second in this week's brand new poll.
Number two North Dakota also recorded a win and loss over the weekend. First, it claimed a 5-0 victory against Alaska-Anchorage at the Ralph, but couldn't maintain momentum on Saturday, falling by a 2-1 score to Alaska (formerly Alaska-Fairbanks). Nonetheless, the Sioux fell back to fourth spot.
Third-ranked Boston College overcame a shaky start to the regular season by winning both of its contests, one at home and one on the road. Friday night in Amherst, the Eagles fell behind 3-0 after two periods but rallied to win 5-4 in overtime thanks to a goal from sophomore Johnny Gaudreau (Carneys Point, NJ).
On Saturday, in front of a packed house at Conte Forum, the school raised its fifth championship banner in program history then blanked Northeastern, 3-0. Parker Milner shut the door with 26 saves against a Huskies team which beat BC 3-1 last week to open the Hockey East schedule.
Those victories put the program back on top nationally, as they were in the preseason rankings.
Flyers goaltending prospect Anthony Stolarz also enjoyed a productive weekend, leading the unranked Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks to a sizeable win and a narrow defeat.
Though not the sharpest as his teammates racked up a 41-13 shot edge over Northern Michigan, he made 11 stops in a 5-2 win on Friday at home. NMU struck back on Saturday, winning 2-1, but Stolarz playes slightly better, making 21 saves.
Penn State is now 2-2-0 on the young season, thanks to another weekend split.
Friday night saw Bengals goaltender Kevin Carr stopped all 35 shots he faced as Buffalo State handed the Nits a 3-0 setback. One night later, in upstate New York, PSU toppled RIT by a 3-2 count. P.J. Musico was the star of the game, stopping 40 shots, while Max Gardiner totaled a goal and assist including the deciding score less than seven minutes into the third period.
Princeton, which does not open up its regular season until this coming weekend, dropped a 6-5 decision to Guelph on Saturday at Baker Rink. Alec Rush scored twice, but the Canadian university visitors took a 3-1 lead after one period and didn't look back.
The top-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers split a pair on Friday and Saturday night in a two-game set at Michigan Tech. Despite dropping Friday's opener by a 5-3 count, the national semifinalists claimed a 3-2 victory on Saturday which gave head coach Don Lucia his 600th career win. Lucia became just the 10th coach in college hockey to reach the milestone.
Minnesota, however, slid to second in this week's brand new poll.
Number two North Dakota also recorded a win and loss over the weekend. First, it claimed a 5-0 victory against Alaska-Anchorage at the Ralph, but couldn't maintain momentum on Saturday, falling by a 2-1 score to Alaska (formerly Alaska-Fairbanks). Nonetheless, the Sioux fell back to fourth spot.
Third-ranked Boston College overcame a shaky start to the regular season by winning both of its contests, one at home and one on the road. Friday night in Amherst, the Eagles fell behind 3-0 after two periods but rallied to win 5-4 in overtime thanks to a goal from sophomore Johnny Gaudreau (Carneys Point, NJ).
On Saturday, in front of a packed house at Conte Forum, the school raised its fifth championship banner in program history then blanked Northeastern, 3-0. Parker Milner shut the door with 26 saves against a Huskies team which beat BC 3-1 last week to open the Hockey East schedule.
Those victories put the program back on top nationally, as they were in the preseason rankings.
Flyers goaltending prospect Anthony Stolarz also enjoyed a productive weekend, leading the unranked Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks to a sizeable win and a narrow defeat.
Though not the sharpest as his teammates racked up a 41-13 shot edge over Northern Michigan, he made 11 stops in a 5-2 win on Friday at home. NMU struck back on Saturday, winning 2-1, but Stolarz playes slightly better, making 21 saves.
Penn State is now 2-2-0 on the young season, thanks to another weekend split.
Friday night saw Bengals goaltender Kevin Carr stopped all 35 shots he faced as Buffalo State handed the Nits a 3-0 setback. One night later, in upstate New York, PSU toppled RIT by a 3-2 count. P.J. Musico was the star of the game, stopping 40 shots, while Max Gardiner totaled a goal and assist including the deciding score less than seven minutes into the third period.
Princeton, which does not open up its regular season until this coming weekend, dropped a 6-5 decision to Guelph on Saturday at Baker Rink. Alec Rush scored twice, but the Canadian university visitors took a 3-1 lead after one period and didn't look back.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
UFL may be over after all
If there's anything to be said for the fledgling UFL, it is this: the imminent collapse of the league is one badly-kept secret.
On Tuesday, Philly Sports Live, and one of its writers, Charlie Flowe, reported that the league was about to go under, having cancelled its remaining schedule.
That piece was later retracted by apology, but tweets on Saturday from a purported "insider" named "Mr. U" indicate that the initial report was correct.
That was backed up by the intrepid reporters from Deadspin, which reported this afternoon that the league is in dire financial straits.
Nonetheless, the UFL seems poised for things to exist as normal, with Week 5's slate set to kick off Tuesday when Sacramento visits Omaha and the remainder of the league schedule still accessible on the main site.
On Tuesday, Philly Sports Live, and one of its writers, Charlie Flowe, reported that the league was about to go under, having cancelled its remaining schedule.
That piece was later retracted by apology, but tweets on Saturday from a purported "insider" named "Mr. U" indicate that the initial report was correct.
That was backed up by the intrepid reporters from Deadspin, which reported this afternoon that the league is in dire financial straits.
Nonetheless, the UFL seems poised for things to exist as normal, with Week 5's slate set to kick off Tuesday when Sacramento visits Omaha and the remainder of the league schedule still accessible on the main site.
Friday, October 19, 2012
NHL makes another schedule cut
As would be expected with Gary Bettman's brusque shoot-down of a trio of NHLPA proposals during Thursday's truncated meetings in Toronto, the NHL has decided to excise yet another week of games from its master schedule.
"The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the 2012-13 regular-season schedule through November 1," stated a league release on Friday afternoon. "A total of 135 regular-season games were scheduled for Oct. 11 through Nov. 1. The cancellation was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players' Association and the NHL."
However, in a bizarre twist, Darren Dreger from TSN of Canada reported that he believes the league is holding out hope for a November 2 start to the season, which may yet involve a full 82-game slate.
For the Flyers, that means five more matchups fall by the wayside: October 25 at Montreal, October 27 vs. Toronto, October 28 at Buffalo, October 30 vs. Dallas and November 1 vs. New Jersey.
But with no further discussions scheduled, and the original NHL offer still on the table, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the season won't be starting by that early, pie-in-the-sky arbitrary date. For that to work, training camps would have to begin by the middle of next week, and that's an impossibility with only a week's lead time before games begin and well over 100 players stationed in Europe and dozens of others stashed in the AHL.
In addition, Ansar Khan from MLive.com cited two sources close to the situation, saying that November 20 is the drop-dead date to save the Winter Classic.
It should be noted that, with the festivities scheduled for the Big House in front of a possible audience of 115,000 in Ann Arbor, the Winter Classic itself is the only scheduled event in danger of being cancelled. All college and high school action which would take place on the same ice sheet already has contingency plans in place.
Don Fehr sent a long letter to the players late on Friday, detailed here in its supposed unedited form by ESPN.
"The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the 2012-13 regular-season schedule through November 1," stated a league release on Friday afternoon. "A total of 135 regular-season games were scheduled for Oct. 11 through Nov. 1. The cancellation was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players' Association and the NHL."
However, in a bizarre twist, Darren Dreger from TSN of Canada reported that he believes the league is holding out hope for a November 2 start to the season, which may yet involve a full 82-game slate.
For the Flyers, that means five more matchups fall by the wayside: October 25 at Montreal, October 27 vs. Toronto, October 28 at Buffalo, October 30 vs. Dallas and November 1 vs. New Jersey.
But with no further discussions scheduled, and the original NHL offer still on the table, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the season won't be starting by that early, pie-in-the-sky arbitrary date. For that to work, training camps would have to begin by the middle of next week, and that's an impossibility with only a week's lead time before games begin and well over 100 players stationed in Europe and dozens of others stashed in the AHL.
In addition, Ansar Khan from MLive.com cited two sources close to the situation, saying that November 20 is the drop-dead date to save the Winter Classic.
It should be noted that, with the festivities scheduled for the Big House in front of a possible audience of 115,000 in Ann Arbor, the Winter Classic itself is the only scheduled event in danger of being cancelled. All college and high school action which would take place on the same ice sheet already has contingency plans in place.
Don Fehr sent a long letter to the players late on Friday, detailed here in its supposed unedited form by ESPN.
Sixers cut Dan Gadzuric
PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The Philadelphia 76ers have waived veteran center Dan Gadzuric.
Gadzuric (6-foor-11, 240) did not appear in any of the Sixers preseason games thus far. The 10-year veteran has played in 527 career games with 164 starts, averaging 4.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.85 blocks in 14.8 minutes per game.
Gadzuric (6-foor-11, 240) did not appear in any of the Sixers preseason games thus far. The 10-year veteran has played in 527 career games with 164 starts, averaging 4.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.85 blocks in 14.8 minutes per game.
Galloway named Saint Joe's captain
Junior Langston Galloway has been named team captain for the Saint Joseph's basketball team in 2012-13, as voted on by his teammates.
The 6-2 guard was second on the squad in scoring last season with 15.5 points, and was the top three-point shooter in the Atlantic 10. Galloway averaged 2.66 three-pointers per game and shot 46.6 percent from three-point range, which ranked as the fourth-best number in the nation.
Galloway, who was named the team's MVP for the second year in a row, tallied double figures in all but six games last season for the 20-14 Hawks.
The Hawks, who return all 12 players from last year, were picked as the favorite in the Atlantic 10 in the league's preseason poll. Saint Joseph's also received votes this week in the USA Today Coaches Preseason Poll.
The 6-2 guard was second on the squad in scoring last season with 15.5 points, and was the top three-point shooter in the Atlantic 10. Galloway averaged 2.66 three-pointers per game and shot 46.6 percent from three-point range, which ranked as the fourth-best number in the nation.
Galloway, who was named the team's MVP for the second year in a row, tallied double figures in all but six games last season for the 20-14 Hawks.
The Hawks, who return all 12 players from last year, were picked as the favorite in the Atlantic 10 in the league's preseason poll. Saint Joseph's also received votes this week in the USA Today Coaches Preseason Poll.
Soul to hold open tryout
PHILADELPHIA – The American Conference champion Philadelphia Soul will hold an open player tryout on Saturday, October 20 at the Philadelphia Eagles' NovaCare Complex located at One NovaCare Way, Philadelphia. Soul head coach Clint Dolezel, general manager Tom Goodhines and staff will be evaluating all players in attendance. No Kickers will be evaluated at this tryout.
“The journey back to the ArenaBowl begins here,” said Dolezel. “The turnout for the previous tryouts was tremendous. We were impressed by the amount of talent in this area last year and we look for more of the same this year.”
The Soul found three players – Nyere Aumaitre, Jerome Hayes and Keith Stokes – that became starters from previous open tryouts while Alfonso Hoggard and Phil Marfuggi made the team from some of last year’s tryouts.
All participants can pre-register before Thursday, October 18 at www.philadelphiasoul.com. The cost of the tryout is $60 for those who pre-register and $80 at the door by cash, money order or certified funds only. A t-shirt will be included in the cost and all fees are non-refundable.
On the day of the tryout, registration will begin at 8 a.m., with stretching starting promptly at 9 a.m.
Players will be tested on their 40-yard time, broad jump and short shuttle with other position-specific drills and one-on-ones to follow. Please bring appropriate workout gear and shoes/cleats. Testing will take place on field turf – no metal cleats are permitted. A trainer will be on hand for emergencies only – not for player taping.
“The journey back to the ArenaBowl begins here,” said Dolezel. “The turnout for the previous tryouts was tremendous. We were impressed by the amount of talent in this area last year and we look for more of the same this year.”
The Soul found three players – Nyere Aumaitre, Jerome Hayes and Keith Stokes – that became starters from previous open tryouts while Alfonso Hoggard and Phil Marfuggi made the team from some of last year’s tryouts.
All participants can pre-register before Thursday, October 18 at www.philadelphiasoul.com. The cost of the tryout is $60 for those who pre-register and $80 at the door by cash, money order or certified funds only. A t-shirt will be included in the cost and all fees are non-refundable.
On the day of the tryout, registration will begin at 8 a.m., with stretching starting promptly at 9 a.m.
Players will be tested on their 40-yard time, broad jump and short shuttle with other position-specific drills and one-on-ones to follow. Please bring appropriate workout gear and shoes/cleats. Testing will take place on field turf – no metal cleats are permitted. A trainer will be on hand for emergencies only – not for player taping.
Union - Sporting KC to be on NBC Sports Network
Chester, Pa. – Philadelphia Union’s match at Sporting Kansas City at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on Oct. 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET will be broadcast nationally on the NBC Sports Network.
The match will be shown locally on The Comcast Network with JP Dellacamera and Bob Rigby providing commentary and the NBC Sports Network broadcast will be blacked out in the local viewing area.
Philadelphia Union will visit LSP for the first time in 2012 on Oct. 24. The teams have met twice this season at PPL Park, with the Union earning a 4-0 victory in the MLS regular season on June 23 and Sporting KC recording a 2-0 win in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals on July 11.
This will be the ninth Philadelphia Union match to be televised on the NBC Sports Network, and the 14th on national television overall. The final three matches of the season will all be shown on national television, with this Saturday’s match at the Houston Dynamo and Oct. 24’s match at Sporting KC on NBC Sports and the Union’s Oct. 27 season finale against the New York Red Bulls on NBC.
The match will be shown locally on The Comcast Network with JP Dellacamera and Bob Rigby providing commentary and the NBC Sports Network broadcast will be blacked out in the local viewing area.
Philadelphia Union will visit LSP for the first time in 2012 on Oct. 24. The teams have met twice this season at PPL Park, with the Union earning a 4-0 victory in the MLS regular season on June 23 and Sporting KC recording a 2-0 win in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals on July 11.
This will be the ninth Philadelphia Union match to be televised on the NBC Sports Network, and the 14th on national television overall. The final three matches of the season will all be shown on national television, with this Saturday’s match at the Houston Dynamo and Oct. 24’s match at Sporting KC on NBC Sports and the Union’s Oct. 27 season finale against the New York Red Bulls on NBC.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
NHLPA presents "menu" to NHL, league turns cold shoulder
Talks centered around a new Collective Bargaining Agreement continued on players union turf on Thursday, with a wrinkle even more clever than the one presented by the National Hockey League on Tuesday.
As reported by multiple outlets, former NHLer Mathieu Dandendault revealed through his Twitter account that the NHLPA presented a proposal, based from Tuesday's league offering, of four separate options -- each of which contain some kind of provision for a 50/50 split of the contentious Hockey Related Revenues.
Discussion in Toronto was supposed to have taken place as early as 1 PM, but were eventually pushed back to 2:30 PM.
And there is no good news to report, as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has struck down three of those proposals after breaking off talks.
"The Players' Association came back and basically made three alternate proposals on the players' share, all variations, to some degree, of the one proposal that they made over the summer and really haven't deviated from since," Bettman said.
"And none of the three variations of players' share that they gave us even began to approach 50-50 (revenue split) either at all or for some long period of time and it's clear that we're not speaking the same language in terms of what they came back to us with. It is still my hope that we can accomplish my goal, the League's goal of getting an 82-game season, but I am concerned based on the proposal that was made today that things are not progressing. To the contrary, I think the proposal that was made by the Players' Association was in many ways a step backward."
Proposal #1 would give the players a fixed share of revenues in the first three years of the new CBA. That share would then be determined in the later years of the deal based on league growth. In Proposal #2, the players would take 25 percent of any growth, and under the league's five percent growth estimation each year, the players' share would reach 50 percent by Year 5 of the deal.
The third proposal aimed at making up the most ground in the quickest possible time frame: if the NHL agreed to honor all current contracts at their full value, the union would have accepted that touted 50/50 split immediately. NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr stated that he does not support the idea of the NHL's "make whole" provision regarding escrow.
However, the union was ready to give in to the even split if all actual signed contracts would still be paid at 100 percent without escrow.
"The NHL told us they are ready to tweak the last offer," Fehr said. "Today is not a good day. It should have been but it wasn't."
As reported by multiple outlets, former NHLer Mathieu Dandendault revealed through his Twitter account that the NHLPA presented a proposal, based from Tuesday's league offering, of four separate options -- each of which contain some kind of provision for a 50/50 split of the contentious Hockey Related Revenues.
Discussion in Toronto was supposed to have taken place as early as 1 PM, but were eventually pushed back to 2:30 PM.
And there is no good news to report, as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has struck down three of those proposals after breaking off talks.
"The Players' Association came back and basically made three alternate proposals on the players' share, all variations, to some degree, of the one proposal that they made over the summer and really haven't deviated from since," Bettman said.
"And none of the three variations of players' share that they gave us even began to approach 50-50 (revenue split) either at all or for some long period of time and it's clear that we're not speaking the same language in terms of what they came back to us with. It is still my hope that we can accomplish my goal, the League's goal of getting an 82-game season, but I am concerned based on the proposal that was made today that things are not progressing. To the contrary, I think the proposal that was made by the Players' Association was in many ways a step backward."
Proposal #1 would give the players a fixed share of revenues in the first three years of the new CBA. That share would then be determined in the later years of the deal based on league growth. In Proposal #2, the players would take 25 percent of any growth, and under the league's five percent growth estimation each year, the players' share would reach 50 percent by Year 5 of the deal.
The third proposal aimed at making up the most ground in the quickest possible time frame: if the NHL agreed to honor all current contracts at their full value, the union would have accepted that touted 50/50 split immediately. NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr stated that he does not support the idea of the NHL's "make whole" provision regarding escrow.
However, the union was ready to give in to the even split if all actual signed contracts would still be paid at 100 percent without escrow.
"The NHL told us they are ready to tweak the last offer," Fehr said. "Today is not a good day. It should have been but it wasn't."
Garrett Reid died of accidental overdose
Garrett Reid, the son of Eagles head coach Andy Reid, died of an accidental overdose of heroin.
Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli along with county Coroner Zachary Lysek made the announcement at a Thursday afternoon press conference in Easton, PA. According to the Allentown Morning Call, an investigation into the matter revealed the death was directly related to a relapse by Reid's oldest, and most troubled, child.
"These results sadly confirmed what we had expected all along. We understood that Garrett’s long-standing battle with addiction was going to be difficult, the elder Reid said in a statement shortly after the ruling. "He will, however, always have our family’s love and respect for the courage he showed in trying to overcome it. In the end, we take comfort in our faith and know that he’s in a better place. We miss Garrett. We miss his smile, his laugh, and his energy and we will forever love him.
"There are many other individuals and families engaged in this struggle in their own lives, and they will always have our support, encouragement, and understanding. Never give up!”
Reid, 29, passed away suddenly on August 5 while the Birds were at Lehigh University for training camp, where he was working as an assistant to strength and conditioning coaches. The paper additionally reported that Reid was found with a defibrillator attached to his chest before medical crews were able to attend to him.
It was a tragic and sudden end to a life framed by addiction to powerful drugs. Reid had been arrested multiple times, including in January of 2007 when he drove while under the influence of heroin and injured a fellow driver.
Reid was also later caught sneaking pills into prison. Sentenced to two years in a state-prison treatment program, he completed his time in May of 2010, though not before relapsing during time spent at a halfway house.
Hundreds turned out for his funeral, including NFL luminaries such as Ron Jaworski, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
According to several sources, multiple syringes as well as vials of a liquid substance and other drug paraphernalia were found near Reid at the time of death. Morganelli added that the investigation would continue, in order to find individuals who could have supplied Reid with the illegal substances.
Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli along with county Coroner Zachary Lysek made the announcement at a Thursday afternoon press conference in Easton, PA. According to the Allentown Morning Call, an investigation into the matter revealed the death was directly related to a relapse by Reid's oldest, and most troubled, child.
"These results sadly confirmed what we had expected all along. We understood that Garrett’s long-standing battle with addiction was going to be difficult, the elder Reid said in a statement shortly after the ruling. "He will, however, always have our family’s love and respect for the courage he showed in trying to overcome it. In the end, we take comfort in our faith and know that he’s in a better place. We miss Garrett. We miss his smile, his laugh, and his energy and we will forever love him.
"There are many other individuals and families engaged in this struggle in their own lives, and they will always have our support, encouragement, and understanding. Never give up!”
Reid, 29, passed away suddenly on August 5 while the Birds were at Lehigh University for training camp, where he was working as an assistant to strength and conditioning coaches. The paper additionally reported that Reid was found with a defibrillator attached to his chest before medical crews were able to attend to him.
It was a tragic and sudden end to a life framed by addiction to powerful drugs. Reid had been arrested multiple times, including in January of 2007 when he drove while under the influence of heroin and injured a fellow driver.
Reid was also later caught sneaking pills into prison. Sentenced to two years in a state-prison treatment program, he completed his time in May of 2010, though not before relapsing during time spent at a halfway house.
Hundreds turned out for his funeral, including NFL luminaries such as Ron Jaworski, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
According to several sources, multiple syringes as well as vials of a liquid substance and other drug paraphernalia were found near Reid at the time of death. Morganelli added that the investigation would continue, in order to find individuals who could have supplied Reid with the illegal substances.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
A brief history of Flyers' AHL affiliates
Phanatic Hockey Editor
By now, we're all well aware how upset certain fans are that there will be no minor league hockey right across the street from the empty NHL arena, as it was when the Phantoms still played at the Spectrum during the lockout in 2004-05.
Home to the Adirondack hockey club, the Glens Falls Civic Center is 283 miles due north from the Philadelphia sports complex, and with the price of gas high and time of the journey (five hours at the least), the likelihood of more than one road trip this season for most of us is prohibitive.
Hockey fans in the Delaware Valley had been spoiled rotten that the organization was able to purchase an expansion franchise and plop it down right in their own backyard, but it wasn't always so accessible. Below is an account of all previous American Hockey League farm clubs from the Flyers' 1967 inception.
Playing in Le Colisee, the arena hosted Philly for five "home games" (3-1-1) at the end of the 1967-68 season after high winds blew a hole in the Spectrum roof. In later years, when the Nordiques came to the NHL from the WHA and called it home, the Flyers ended up 9-9-8 there in the regular season and went 2-3 in five playoff tilts until the Nords moved to Denver in 1995.
Coached first by Vic Stasiuk, then former Maple Leafs goaltender Walter "Turk" Broda once Stasiuk was called to the big club in 1969, their best season was their first with the Orange and Black, finishing second in the West Division with a 33-28-11 record in 1967-68. That year, the Aces fell in the Calder Cup Finals to champion Rochester. Under Eddie Bush, they were below .500 and lost in the first round as the four-year experiment came to an end. The Nordiques would take the Aces' place at what is now known as Colisee Pepsi starting in 1972.
Though never successful on the ice -- their best season was a 30-win campaign in 1972-73 -- or at the gate, where average attendance at the Coliseum never threatened to rise above the mid four digits, the Robins nonetheless were the training ground for NHL teams which appeared in three straight Stanley Cup Finals from 1974-76.
Among those developed were Rick MacLeish, Don Saleski, Bill Clement, Orest Kindrachuk, Bobby Taylor, Dave Schultz, Jack McIlhargey and Paul Holmgren. Bill Barber, a first-round pick in 1972, was originally sent to Virginia at the start of the '72-'73 season, but after compiling nine goals and 14 points in 11 games, was recalled to Philadelphia for good to begin a Hall-of-Fame career.
Journeyman forward and Flyers' broadcast "icon" Steve Coates turned in a 25-goal, 44-point season in 1975-76 before moving on to greener pastures with the Red Wings organization.
Seven years later, having again cut costs in the short term, Flyers farmhands were back in Western Massachusetts. This time, a roster flush with refugees from Maine, with Blackhawks and Kings hopefuls sprinkled in, Springfield finished fourth in the Southern Division before losing in the first round to first-place Baltimore.
The most notable name to suit up during the second stint was Pelle Lindbergh. Stuck in the midst of a frustrating campaign and relegated to backup duty with Bob Froese the starter, the Swede was sent down for a four-game conditioning stint in February of 1984. He returned to the NHL for good until his tragic death in November of 1985.
Under head coach Bob McCammon, the '78 M's won the Northern Division, boasted the best record in the league, and took down the New Haven Nighthawks for the title. With McCammon kicked up to the Flyers' head coaching job, Pat Quinn guided the '79 seafarers to another division title and best record, with a sweep of New Haven for a repeat.
Maine continued its romp through the AHL with Calder Cup Finals appearances in 1981 under McCammon and 1983 with Tom McVie at the controls. The Mariners never had anything close to a losing record in six seasons under Philadelphia's control. Future Flyers who comprised the roster for some ups and downs in the late 70s and early 80s included: Al Hill, Tom Gorence, Terry Murray, John Paddock, Pete Peeters and Ray Allison. Lindbergh, Froese, Lindsay Carson, Len Hachborn, Dave Poulin and Dave Brown all had impact on the Flyers' mid-80's Renaissance.
Lindbergh lit up the league in 1980-81, taking home the Les Cunningham Award as league MVP, the Dudley "Red" Garrett Award as top rookie and the Harry "Hap" Holmes trophy as best goaltender. McCammon was rewarded with the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award in 1978 and '81 as the AHL's top head coach.
In addition, current Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke skated with the franchise in its initial campaign, and current Bruins broadcaster Andy Brickley -- a Flyers draft pick and University of New Hampshire
product -- began his pro career here.
A shake-up in the Flyers' front office following the disastrous 1982-83 season saw ownership of the Mariners shift from the Orange and Black to the Christmas-themed Devils. New team president Jay Snider sold the club to New Jersey president Bob Butera for $500,000. For the remaining four years of the original Mariners, the team kept its Flyers color scheme despite respresenting a totally new NHL team.
Playing out of the historic Hersheypark Arena, for the first season of the agreement, the Flyers split prospects with the Boston Bruins. When the B's moved to share Maine with the Devils before resurrecting the Mariners for their own, the Bears were all ours. New GM Clarke even sent former teammate Bill Barber, trying to rehab from a serious knee injury, down to Hershey to get some coaching chops.
In 1986, Paddock led the Bears to the Southern Division crown and a Calder title-round appearance before losing to Adirondack and future Flyers head coach Bill Dineen. The best result of that near-championship run was that Ron Hextall was apparently deemed NHL ready and his career took off once in Philadelphia the next season.
Two years later, Paddock led the Bears to a Calder Cup triumph, but Hershey teetered on the brink for years afterward, left with a talent deficit from the iffy drafts of the Clarke-Farwell years in Philly. Barber eventually got his crack at being a bench boss at the end of the 1995-96 season, an appetizer for the banquet to come.
The organization purchased an expansion franchise and Clarke made the announcement six days before Christmas of 1995 that a new team would be handling prospects in a familiar location.
The franchise was a hit from the start, with Barber at the helm and colorful characters like Frank "The Animal" Bialowas, the high-scoring Peter White and Vinny Prospal cruising the old Spectrum ice. The club won four consecutive division titles out of the chute, embarked on a bitter rivalry with their former farm team in Hershey, and won a Calder Cup over Saint John in 1998, the first time the AHL title was claimed in the Quaker City.
John Stevens took over for Barber in 2000, and the Phantoms sunk to the middle for four straight years until the second lockout brought an infusion of NHL talent in 2004. A 17-game win streak, plus the addition of draft picks Jeff Carter and Mike Richards from their junior club stoked the fires of a second Calder triumph in June of 2005.
Once Stevens was summoned to the Show in 2006, the club went into a tailspin under Craig Berube, Kjell Samuelsson and Paddock,. winning just one playoff round until their relocation three years later. The impending demolition of their home arena caused a shift in location to upstate New York.
Adirondack Phantoms (2009-present): With the AHL now focusing on training players to be replacement parts for the big club once injuries or trades occur, the latest edition of the Phantoms have fallen on hard times. Three different head coaches in three seasons has failed to produce a playoff berth, as the impending relocation of the franchise to the Lehigh Valley area pervades team culture. Former Flyers head coach Terry Murray leads the youngsters this season.
One bright spot for the Purple and Orange was the 2012 Outdoor Classic, contested on January 6 against Hershey in front of a league-record crowd of 45,653 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
This season, as the third lockout in 18 years robs fans of the NHL product, the A-Phantoms have center stage again. They will not appear in the Delaware Valley again until January 20, in Atlantic City facing the Albany Devils. One game in Philly, on February 22, will see the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on the other side.
NHL releases full details of Tuesday proposal
Courtesy of NHL. com
We have reached a critical point in our collective bargaining negotiations. In an attempt to save an 82-game 2012/13 season (including the usual schedule of Playoff Games), the NHL is making a substantially revised proposal to the NHLPA regarding the critical issues on which the parties have been separated and which are essential to an agreement with the NHLPA on a new CBA moving forward. We believe that the proposal set forth below is fair to the Players and the teams, and good for the game and our fans.
This proposal is based on what we believe is a fair sharing of revenues as between the Players and the Clubs.
This proposal does not require any roll-back in the salaries of Players, and attempts to recognize and protect prior contractual commitments.
This proposal provides for increased revenue sharing, targeted to those teams that are most in need.
This proposal is our best attempt to save an 82-game 2012/13 season, and is, in fact, the best we can responsibly do.
Our negotiations with the NHLPA have failed to progress on the most critical economic and system-related issues. After considerable deliberation, we have decided to make this proposal because time is of the essence. Specifically, in order to save the full 82-game season, the Regular Season schedule will have to commence no later than November 2, with 7-day Club Training Camps that must open by October 26. As a practical matter, this means we must conclude a new written CBA by October 25. We believe the parties can achieve this and that by working together, we can jointly preserve an 82-game season for our Players, our Clubs, and most importantly, for our fans.
Delay (beyond October 25) will necessarily leave us with an abbreviated season and will require the cancellation of signature NHL events. Failure to reach a prompt agreement will also have other significant and detrimental impacts on our fans, the game, our Clubs, our business and the communities in which we play. All of this will obviously necessitate changes to this offer in the event we are unsuccessful in saving a full season.
Here are the elements of our proposal and a brief explanation:
Term
The term of the CBA proposed by the League -- 6 years, plus a mutual option for a 7th year -- is consistent with the term of the expired CBA. It will allow for our fans, the Players and the Clubs to enjoy a reasonable and extended period of labor peace thereby enhancing the short to medium term business planning of the parties. During this time, the League and the Players can work together to continue to build on the momentum the NHL has experienced over the course of the past 7 years, both on and off the ice.
HRR Accounting
We agree to retain the CBA's current HRR definitions. Further, we propose to formalize the various agreements the NHLPA and the NHL have reached, and lived under, during the course of the expired CBA, and to clarify mutually identified ambiguities in the CBA. Importantly, we do not believe any of our proposed clarifications should have any impact either on the amount of the Players' Share or the amount that any individual Player is entitled to receive. None of these clarifications for instance, would have had a material impact on the 2011/12 Actual HRR number. This proposal is all about certainty, clarity and speeding up our complex, end-of-year accounting process.
Applicable Players' Share
We believe a 50-50 sharing of Actual HRR is a fair allocation and a reasonable compromise as between Players and Clubs. The simple fact of the matter is that it costs Clubs more money now to operate and to generate revenues than it used to. These increased costs include amounts dedicated to the health, safety and enhanced comfort of NHL Players, the increased costs associated with generating ticket and gameday revenues, and the significant capital investments that are regularly being made around the League to enhance the fan experience and to create new revenue streams. The proposed 50-50 sharing arrangement, comparable to the sharing arrangements in the NFL and the NBA, will enable the NHL to protect and promote the long-term future of the game, the financial health and stability of the Clubs and the long-term earning capacity of the Players.
Payroll Range
We propose to set the 2012/13 Payroll Range on the basis of last season's Actual HRR, using the same methodology as used in the recently expired CBA. While this will result in a reduced Upper Limit for 2012/13, we have also proposed to permit the Clubs to exceed the Payroll Range this year, to a maximum of $70.2 million – which was the Cap established prior to this past summer. This will allow a Club that chooses to do so to maintain or enhance its current roster during a full-year transition period.
Cap Accounting
We are proposing that a Club's Lower Limit obligation be satisfied without reference to (or inclusion of) performance bonuses. This will effectively increase the minimum commitment of actual compensation paid by the "Lower Limit Clubs" to Players. The proposal acknowledges the League's agreement to a request made by the NHLPA earlier in our negotiations.
We are proposing that all years of existing long-term contracts in excess of five (5) years be counted against a Club's Cap regardless of whether or where a Player is playing. While such contracts (and Cap charges) can be traded during their terms, in the event a Player subsequently retires or ceases to play, the effective Cap charge would revert to the Club that originally entered into the contract. This proposal is consistent with our other proposals intended to address the harmful effects of long-term, front-loaded, "back-diving" contracts.
We are proposing that the salaries of minor league Players on NHL contracts (above a threshold of $105,000) be counted against a Club's Cap. This provision is intended to prevent Clubs from "stashing" or assigning players to the minors (or any other professional league) for "Cap management" purposes. We are not proposing that any salary paid to minor league Players on NHL contracts be counted against the Players' Share.
Finally, we propose that to facilitate more trades and create increased flexibility in managing Cap Room, Clubs be allowed to allocate portions of a contract's Cap charge (and related salary obligations) in the context of a Player Trade. This will facilitate additional Player movement and trades between teams as they manage their respective Caps and Payroll Range obligations.
System Changes
We also propose making certain modest modifications to existing elements of the current system, none of which will affect the total dollars to which the Players are entitled; they will address instead the allocation of those dollars as among various categories of Players, and we believe should ensure and improve the competitive balance and quality of play around the League as a result.
In our opinion, and as we have expressed in prior bargaining sessions, certain elements of the current system have produced a dynamic that has led to a misallocation of Players' Share dollars in favor of those Players coming out of the Entry Level System at the expense of other, more proven and established Players. We are therefore proposing the following to hopefully address this dynamic:
(1) We have withdrawn our initial proposal that would have provided Clubs with an option to extend the terms of Entry Level contracts, and instead are proposing to reduce the duration of the Entry Level System from three years to two years, thereby allowing entering NHL Players an earlier opportunity to become Restricted Free Agents. This will free up more money currently committed to Entry Level Players in their third years who are no longer legitimate NHL prospects and will also allow talented NHL prospects an opportunity to negotiate non-ELS contracts earlier in their careers.
(2) We have withdrawn our initial proposal to eliminate Salary Arbitration. We are instead proposing to maintain the Salary Arbitration mechanism, and are further proposing that the rights of Players and Clubs to elect Salary Arbitration be made mutual. Moreover, we are proposing to revise the eligibility criteria for Salary Arbitration to five years of professional experience (instead of the current four years), the same criteria as existed under the 1994-2004 CBA.
(3) We have withdrawn our initial proposal to revise the eligibility requirements for Unrestricted Free Agency to 10 Accrued Seasons, and are instead proposing a modest single year adjustment to 28 years of age or 8 Accrued Seasons. This proposal still allows for the possibility of early UFA status for Players -- as early as age 26.
All three of these system proposals are designed to shift the current allocation of Players' Share dollars away from "second contracts" and toward "third and subsequent contracts" to ensure what we believe to be a more equitable and effective allocation of Players' Share dollars to more proven, established Players who are playing in the prime of their NHL careers.
We are also proposing two additional system modifications that are intended to address the recent phenomenon of long-term, front-loaded, "back-diving" Player contracts that we believe has proven harmful to the interests of our Clubs and has clearly had the purpose and effect of circumventing the letter and spirit of our existing system. In addition, these contracts have increased the Escrow obligation and reduced the effective salaries of Players playing under "normal" contracts. In order to mitigate the consequences of these contracts, we have proposed 5-year term limits for SPCs and tighter restrictions on the year-over-year salary variability of contracts.
Due to our proposed change in the Cap treatment of minor league Players on NHL SPCs, we are proposing the elimination of the Re-Entry Waivers provision. The elimination of this provision, coupled with the ability to allocate Cap charges and salary in trades, should lend themselves to fewer NHL-caliber Players being relegated to minor league service for prolonged periods of time.
Finally, in order to help preserve the vibrancy and stability of European professional leagues as a continued source of NHL talent, we are proposing to convert the typical four-year period of exclusive negotiating rights that attach to European Players from the current "two-plus-two" model (with each Player being subject to having to re-enter the Draft) to a straight "four-year" model (with no obligation to re-enter the Draft).
Revenue Sharing
The NHL has proposed to increase the Revenue Sharing pool for 2012/13 to $200 million (assuming League-wide revenues of $3.303 Billion), representing an approximately 33% increase over the amount that will be distributed on account of 2011/12. This enhanced amount is at least comparable to the levels of revenue sharing in the NBA and MLB, and will be adjusted proportionately upward or downward based on Actual HRR results in future seasons.
At least 50% of the Revenue Sharing pool will be funded by the Top 10 Revenue Grossing teams. The remainder of the Revenue Sharing pool will be funded from League- and Playoff-generated revenues.
The Revenue Sharing pool will be redistributed to those Clubs who are in the most need in order to enable those teams to have sufficient resources on hand to compete for and compensate Players within the Payroll Range, and otherwise to provide a basis for their continued financial stability. In this regard, we are proposing to commit for the next two years revenue sharing payments to recipient Clubs that are equivalent to or greater than what those Clubs will receive on account of the 2011/12 season. The effect should be to continue -- and even improve -- the historic and unprecedented quality of play and level of competitive balance we have jointly been able to achieve during the period of the recently expired CBA.
All Clubs in the NHL except the top 10 Revenue Grossing Clubs will now be eligible for Revenue Sharing, including Clubs in large media markets who were previously ineligible (such as Anaheim, New Jersey and the New York Islanders, among others). Further, our proposal eliminates some of the current "business performance" thresholds that had the effect of materially reducing the amounts a Club might otherwise qualify to receive in revenue sharing. Instead, under-performing Clubs will be expected to enhance their business planning capabilities, will be provided on-site assistance to meet enhanced business objectives and will be provided with much greater counseling as to "best practices" in business operations.
In addition, we have proposed the formation of a functioning and active Revenue Sharing Committee, on which the NHLPA will have representation and will have an opportunity to provide input, to determine the best and most effective distribution of revenue sharing funds.
Supplemental and Commissioner Discipline
We are proposing to amend current Player discipline provisions to introduce additional procedural safeguards to protect Player interests, including an ultimate appeal right to a "neutral" third-party arbitrator with a "clearly erroneous" standard of review
No Rollback; Players' Share "Make Whole" Provision
The NHL is not proposing that current SPCs be reduced, re-written or rolled back. Instead, the NHL's proposal retains all current Players' SPCs at their current face value for the duration of their terms, subject to the operation of the escrow mechanism in the same manner as it has worked under the expired CBA. (In other words, under the expired CBA, the compensation a Player received each year was either higher or lower than the face value of his contract depending upon Club-Player contracting levels and the level and growth rate of HRR.) Under the expired CBA, in two of the seven years Players were paid in excess of the face values of their SPCs and in five of those years they received less than their face values. That process would remain intact under the new CBA.
Under our "make whole" proposal, which is premised upon a 5% anticipated growth of HRR both this year and in future years, every Player will be paid compensation based on the full value of the Players' Share under which his current SPC was signed.
In order to effectively transition from a Players' Share of 57 percent to 50 percent, including importantly to protect Players' current SPCs against an absolute reduction in Players' Share dollars, the new Agreement contemplates, in its initial years, a "make whole" mechanism that will effectively pay each Player currently under contract the difference between 50% of Actual HRR in 2012/13 and 57% of HRR in 2011/12 -- which was $1.883 Billion.
Again, premised upon an assumed 5% growth rate between 2011/12 and 2012/13, the "make whole" amount is calculated to be a maximum of $149 million for the 2012/13 season ($1.883 Billion minus $1.734 Billion (57% multiplied by $3.303 Billion minus 50% multiplied by $3.468 Billion). Similarly, utilizing that formula and our 5% growth projections, the "make whole" amount is calculated to be a maximum of $62 million for the 2013/14 season.
To accomplish the "make whole," each Players' pro-rata "make whole" will be determined for the first two years of the Agreement and will be paid to each Player as a Deferred Compensation benefit over the life of the Player's existing SPC. For those Players whose contracts expire after the 2012/13 season, the benefit will be paid when final HRR is determined for this season (in October/November 2013). Player "make whole" payments will be accrued and paid for by the League, and will be chargeable against Players' Share amounts in future years as Preliminary Benefits.
The "make whole" obligation will be operational only through the 2013/14 season because, beginning in Year 3, the projected growth in League-wide revenues should have resulted in an increase in absolute Players' Share dollars (in excess of the Players' Share of $1.883 Billion in 2011/12). This will effectively restore "full value" to all existing SPCs without any continuing need for a "make whole."
We note in regard to this proposal, that while the NHLPA's August 14 proposal was premised upon a 7% annual growth rate in HRR, we instead used the more conservative growth rate of 5%, consistent with our prior proposals. If the NHLPA's estimate of revenue growth is more accurate, then the amount of money needed to effectuate a "make whole" would actually be less.
The parties have already reached agreement on many of the non-critical but necessary items needed to complete a new CBA. We hope the NHLPA and the Players will view this proposal in the manner in which it is intended -- an invitation to complete an Agreement in the necessary timeframe so that a full 82-game 2012/13 season can be saved.
NHL'S PROPOSAL TO NHLPA TO SAVE THE 82-GAME 2012/13 SEASON
We have reached a critical point in our collective bargaining negotiations. In an attempt to save an 82-game 2012/13 season (including the usual schedule of Playoff Games), the NHL is making a substantially revised proposal to the NHLPA regarding the critical issues on which the parties have been separated and which are essential to an agreement with the NHLPA on a new CBA moving forward. We believe that the proposal set forth below is fair to the Players and the teams, and good for the game and our fans.
This proposal is based on what we believe is a fair sharing of revenues as between the Players and the Clubs.
This proposal does not require any roll-back in the salaries of Players, and attempts to recognize and protect prior contractual commitments.
This proposal provides for increased revenue sharing, targeted to those teams that are most in need.
This proposal is our best attempt to save an 82-game 2012/13 season, and is, in fact, the best we can responsibly do.
Our negotiations with the NHLPA have failed to progress on the most critical economic and system-related issues. After considerable deliberation, we have decided to make this proposal because time is of the essence. Specifically, in order to save the full 82-game season, the Regular Season schedule will have to commence no later than November 2, with 7-day Club Training Camps that must open by October 26. As a practical matter, this means we must conclude a new written CBA by October 25. We believe the parties can achieve this and that by working together, we can jointly preserve an 82-game season for our Players, our Clubs, and most importantly, for our fans.
Delay (beyond October 25) will necessarily leave us with an abbreviated season and will require the cancellation of signature NHL events. Failure to reach a prompt agreement will also have other significant and detrimental impacts on our fans, the game, our Clubs, our business and the communities in which we play. All of this will obviously necessitate changes to this offer in the event we are unsuccessful in saving a full season.
Here are the elements of our proposal and a brief explanation:
Term
The term of the CBA proposed by the League -- 6 years, plus a mutual option for a 7th year -- is consistent with the term of the expired CBA. It will allow for our fans, the Players and the Clubs to enjoy a reasonable and extended period of labor peace thereby enhancing the short to medium term business planning of the parties. During this time, the League and the Players can work together to continue to build on the momentum the NHL has experienced over the course of the past 7 years, both on and off the ice.
HRR Accounting
We agree to retain the CBA's current HRR definitions. Further, we propose to formalize the various agreements the NHLPA and the NHL have reached, and lived under, during the course of the expired CBA, and to clarify mutually identified ambiguities in the CBA. Importantly, we do not believe any of our proposed clarifications should have any impact either on the amount of the Players' Share or the amount that any individual Player is entitled to receive. None of these clarifications for instance, would have had a material impact on the 2011/12 Actual HRR number. This proposal is all about certainty, clarity and speeding up our complex, end-of-year accounting process.
Applicable Players' Share
We believe a 50-50 sharing of Actual HRR is a fair allocation and a reasonable compromise as between Players and Clubs. The simple fact of the matter is that it costs Clubs more money now to operate and to generate revenues than it used to. These increased costs include amounts dedicated to the health, safety and enhanced comfort of NHL Players, the increased costs associated with generating ticket and gameday revenues, and the significant capital investments that are regularly being made around the League to enhance the fan experience and to create new revenue streams. The proposed 50-50 sharing arrangement, comparable to the sharing arrangements in the NFL and the NBA, will enable the NHL to protect and promote the long-term future of the game, the financial health and stability of the Clubs and the long-term earning capacity of the Players.
Payroll Range
We propose to set the 2012/13 Payroll Range on the basis of last season's Actual HRR, using the same methodology as used in the recently expired CBA. While this will result in a reduced Upper Limit for 2012/13, we have also proposed to permit the Clubs to exceed the Payroll Range this year, to a maximum of $70.2 million – which was the Cap established prior to this past summer. This will allow a Club that chooses to do so to maintain or enhance its current roster during a full-year transition period.
Cap Accounting
We are proposing that a Club's Lower Limit obligation be satisfied without reference to (or inclusion of) performance bonuses. This will effectively increase the minimum commitment of actual compensation paid by the "Lower Limit Clubs" to Players. The proposal acknowledges the League's agreement to a request made by the NHLPA earlier in our negotiations.
We are proposing that all years of existing long-term contracts in excess of five (5) years be counted against a Club's Cap regardless of whether or where a Player is playing. While such contracts (and Cap charges) can be traded during their terms, in the event a Player subsequently retires or ceases to play, the effective Cap charge would revert to the Club that originally entered into the contract. This proposal is consistent with our other proposals intended to address the harmful effects of long-term, front-loaded, "back-diving" contracts.
We are proposing that the salaries of minor league Players on NHL contracts (above a threshold of $105,000) be counted against a Club's Cap. This provision is intended to prevent Clubs from "stashing" or assigning players to the minors (or any other professional league) for "Cap management" purposes. We are not proposing that any salary paid to minor league Players on NHL contracts be counted against the Players' Share.
Finally, we propose that to facilitate more trades and create increased flexibility in managing Cap Room, Clubs be allowed to allocate portions of a contract's Cap charge (and related salary obligations) in the context of a Player Trade. This will facilitate additional Player movement and trades between teams as they manage their respective Caps and Payroll Range obligations.
System Changes
We also propose making certain modest modifications to existing elements of the current system, none of which will affect the total dollars to which the Players are entitled; they will address instead the allocation of those dollars as among various categories of Players, and we believe should ensure and improve the competitive balance and quality of play around the League as a result.
In our opinion, and as we have expressed in prior bargaining sessions, certain elements of the current system have produced a dynamic that has led to a misallocation of Players' Share dollars in favor of those Players coming out of the Entry Level System at the expense of other, more proven and established Players. We are therefore proposing the following to hopefully address this dynamic:
(1) We have withdrawn our initial proposal that would have provided Clubs with an option to extend the terms of Entry Level contracts, and instead are proposing to reduce the duration of the Entry Level System from three years to two years, thereby allowing entering NHL Players an earlier opportunity to become Restricted Free Agents. This will free up more money currently committed to Entry Level Players in their third years who are no longer legitimate NHL prospects and will also allow talented NHL prospects an opportunity to negotiate non-ELS contracts earlier in their careers.
(2) We have withdrawn our initial proposal to eliminate Salary Arbitration. We are instead proposing to maintain the Salary Arbitration mechanism, and are further proposing that the rights of Players and Clubs to elect Salary Arbitration be made mutual. Moreover, we are proposing to revise the eligibility criteria for Salary Arbitration to five years of professional experience (instead of the current four years), the same criteria as existed under the 1994-2004 CBA.
(3) We have withdrawn our initial proposal to revise the eligibility requirements for Unrestricted Free Agency to 10 Accrued Seasons, and are instead proposing a modest single year adjustment to 28 years of age or 8 Accrued Seasons. This proposal still allows for the possibility of early UFA status for Players -- as early as age 26.
All three of these system proposals are designed to shift the current allocation of Players' Share dollars away from "second contracts" and toward "third and subsequent contracts" to ensure what we believe to be a more equitable and effective allocation of Players' Share dollars to more proven, established Players who are playing in the prime of their NHL careers.
We are also proposing two additional system modifications that are intended to address the recent phenomenon of long-term, front-loaded, "back-diving" Player contracts that we believe has proven harmful to the interests of our Clubs and has clearly had the purpose and effect of circumventing the letter and spirit of our existing system. In addition, these contracts have increased the Escrow obligation and reduced the effective salaries of Players playing under "normal" contracts. In order to mitigate the consequences of these contracts, we have proposed 5-year term limits for SPCs and tighter restrictions on the year-over-year salary variability of contracts.
Due to our proposed change in the Cap treatment of minor league Players on NHL SPCs, we are proposing the elimination of the Re-Entry Waivers provision. The elimination of this provision, coupled with the ability to allocate Cap charges and salary in trades, should lend themselves to fewer NHL-caliber Players being relegated to minor league service for prolonged periods of time.
Finally, in order to help preserve the vibrancy and stability of European professional leagues as a continued source of NHL talent, we are proposing to convert the typical four-year period of exclusive negotiating rights that attach to European Players from the current "two-plus-two" model (with each Player being subject to having to re-enter the Draft) to a straight "four-year" model (with no obligation to re-enter the Draft).
Revenue Sharing
The NHL has proposed to increase the Revenue Sharing pool for 2012/13 to $200 million (assuming League-wide revenues of $3.303 Billion), representing an approximately 33% increase over the amount that will be distributed on account of 2011/12. This enhanced amount is at least comparable to the levels of revenue sharing in the NBA and MLB, and will be adjusted proportionately upward or downward based on Actual HRR results in future seasons.
At least 50% of the Revenue Sharing pool will be funded by the Top 10 Revenue Grossing teams. The remainder of the Revenue Sharing pool will be funded from League- and Playoff-generated revenues.
The Revenue Sharing pool will be redistributed to those Clubs who are in the most need in order to enable those teams to have sufficient resources on hand to compete for and compensate Players within the Payroll Range, and otherwise to provide a basis for their continued financial stability. In this regard, we are proposing to commit for the next two years revenue sharing payments to recipient Clubs that are equivalent to or greater than what those Clubs will receive on account of the 2011/12 season. The effect should be to continue -- and even improve -- the historic and unprecedented quality of play and level of competitive balance we have jointly been able to achieve during the period of the recently expired CBA.
All Clubs in the NHL except the top 10 Revenue Grossing Clubs will now be eligible for Revenue Sharing, including Clubs in large media markets who were previously ineligible (such as Anaheim, New Jersey and the New York Islanders, among others). Further, our proposal eliminates some of the current "business performance" thresholds that had the effect of materially reducing the amounts a Club might otherwise qualify to receive in revenue sharing. Instead, under-performing Clubs will be expected to enhance their business planning capabilities, will be provided on-site assistance to meet enhanced business objectives and will be provided with much greater counseling as to "best practices" in business operations.
In addition, we have proposed the formation of a functioning and active Revenue Sharing Committee, on which the NHLPA will have representation and will have an opportunity to provide input, to determine the best and most effective distribution of revenue sharing funds.
Supplemental and Commissioner Discipline
We are proposing to amend current Player discipline provisions to introduce additional procedural safeguards to protect Player interests, including an ultimate appeal right to a "neutral" third-party arbitrator with a "clearly erroneous" standard of review
No Rollback; Players' Share "Make Whole" Provision
The NHL is not proposing that current SPCs be reduced, re-written or rolled back. Instead, the NHL's proposal retains all current Players' SPCs at their current face value for the duration of their terms, subject to the operation of the escrow mechanism in the same manner as it has worked under the expired CBA. (In other words, under the expired CBA, the compensation a Player received each year was either higher or lower than the face value of his contract depending upon Club-Player contracting levels and the level and growth rate of HRR.) Under the expired CBA, in two of the seven years Players were paid in excess of the face values of their SPCs and in five of those years they received less than their face values. That process would remain intact under the new CBA.
Under our "make whole" proposal, which is premised upon a 5% anticipated growth of HRR both this year and in future years, every Player will be paid compensation based on the full value of the Players' Share under which his current SPC was signed.
In order to effectively transition from a Players' Share of 57 percent to 50 percent, including importantly to protect Players' current SPCs against an absolute reduction in Players' Share dollars, the new Agreement contemplates, in its initial years, a "make whole" mechanism that will effectively pay each Player currently under contract the difference between 50% of Actual HRR in 2012/13 and 57% of HRR in 2011/12 -- which was $1.883 Billion.
Again, premised upon an assumed 5% growth rate between 2011/12 and 2012/13, the "make whole" amount is calculated to be a maximum of $149 million for the 2012/13 season ($1.883 Billion minus $1.734 Billion (57% multiplied by $3.303 Billion minus 50% multiplied by $3.468 Billion). Similarly, utilizing that formula and our 5% growth projections, the "make whole" amount is calculated to be a maximum of $62 million for the 2013/14 season.
To accomplish the "make whole," each Players' pro-rata "make whole" will be determined for the first two years of the Agreement and will be paid to each Player as a Deferred Compensation benefit over the life of the Player's existing SPC. For those Players whose contracts expire after the 2012/13 season, the benefit will be paid when final HRR is determined for this season (in October/November 2013). Player "make whole" payments will be accrued and paid for by the League, and will be chargeable against Players' Share amounts in future years as Preliminary Benefits.
The "make whole" obligation will be operational only through the 2013/14 season because, beginning in Year 3, the projected growth in League-wide revenues should have resulted in an increase in absolute Players' Share dollars (in excess of the Players' Share of $1.883 Billion in 2011/12). This will effectively restore "full value" to all existing SPCs without any continuing need for a "make whole."
We note in regard to this proposal, that while the NHLPA's August 14 proposal was premised upon a 7% annual growth rate in HRR, we instead used the more conservative growth rate of 5%, consistent with our prior proposals. If the NHLPA's estimate of revenue growth is more accurate, then the amount of money needed to effectuate a "make whole" would actually be less.
* * *
The parties have already reached agreement on many of the non-critical but necessary items needed to complete a new CBA. We hope the NHLPA and the Players will view this proposal in the manner in which it is intended -- an invitation to complete an Agreement in the necessary timeframe so that a full 82-game 2012/13 season can be saved.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Bettman speaks conciliation
Courtesy of NHL.com
Good afternoon, everyone. Bill Daly and I just spent the last hour with Don and Steve Fehr, and I would like to briefly report to you on what was discussed. As I think all of you know we have been extremely disappointed, and that's an understatement, that we've been unable to get these negotiations on the essential elements moving forward. So, today, we began by discussing with Don and Steve that if we were to drop the puck on November 2nd for the start of the regular season, we could preserve an 82-game schedule for the regular season and play full playoffs as we normally do and be done before the end of June.
We very much want to preserve a full 82-game season, and in that light, we made a proposal, an offer, really that is our best shot at preserving an 82-game regular season and playoffs, and this offer that we made obviously was contingent upon having an 82-game regular season.
A lot of you know we don't negotiate publicly, and I'm not going to break that habit because I don't think it's constructive. The fact of the matter is, we offered a 50-50 share of HRR, hockey related revenues, and we believe we addressed the concern that players have about what happens to their salaries as a result in this year of reducing the percentage from 57 to 50%.
Beyond that, I don't want to get into the substance other than to say we believe that this was a fair offer for a long-term deal, and it's one that we hope gets a positive reaction so that we can drop the puck on November 2nd -- which backing up, entails at least a one-week training camp. So we have about nine or ten days to get this all put to bed, signed, sealed and delivered, in order for this offer to be effective and for us to move forward.
We hope that this effort that we've undertaken today would be successful because we know how difficult this all has been for everybody associated with the game, particularly our fans.
How confident are you that this is going to go forward?
Well, we certainly hope it will. We've given it our best shot.
What was the reaction?
The reaction was that they obviously need to study it, and so we told them that we're available to them. But they're going to need some time to review it, and I respect that portion of the process. Obviously, they've got to understand the offer and get comfortable with it.
Was it just the core economic issues in terms of the offer?
We had a number of significant elements that we believe can and should serve as the basis of a deal to get us playing hockey.
Why do this today?
Because if we want to have an 82-game regular season, if we want to preserve an 82-game regular season and you back up the timetable in terms of the schedule, we needed to do it.
By the way, in terms of the schedule, so everybody understands, the compression that would be involved is one additional game every five weeks. Beyond that, we don't think it would be good for the players or for the game. But if you look at what our ability would be to schedule 82 games and you work back from November 2nd, if we didn't do it now, if we didn't put an effort on the table that we thought was fair and could get us playing hockey, if we didn't do it now, then it probably wasn't going to happen for a while. Because, again, it's done in the spirit of getting a full season in.
Is it 50-50 across the board?
It's 50-50 across board.
How long of a contract will this be?
I'm not going to get into the specifics. We proposed a long-term contract. We think that's in everybody's interest. We think that's what our fans want.
Can you explain how you address the roll back or the escrow?
There is no roll back, and I'm not going to get into the specifics. It would not be constructive at this point in time. The union has some work to do, and we respect the process. I probably have gone further than I usually have in terms of discussing what we've proposed than at any other time. But I'm not comfortable going any further. I'm more concerned about the process right now and getting us back on the ice.
How worried are you they might say no and more of the season will be lost?
I don't even want to go there.
Is the league amenable to playing an abbreviated schedule?
We're focused on getting the puck dropped on November 2nd and playing a full 82-game regular season and full playoffs. That's what this offer is all about.
Have you made plans to meet later in the week?
We're going to be on-call to them. They have some work to do internally. Obviously, we didn't put this proposal, this offer, together overnight, and they're going to need a little time to review it. I'm hoping that review will get us to a positive and constructive place.
Good afternoon, everyone. Bill Daly and I just spent the last hour with Don and Steve Fehr, and I would like to briefly report to you on what was discussed. As I think all of you know we have been extremely disappointed, and that's an understatement, that we've been unable to get these negotiations on the essential elements moving forward. So, today, we began by discussing with Don and Steve that if we were to drop the puck on November 2nd for the start of the regular season, we could preserve an 82-game schedule for the regular season and play full playoffs as we normally do and be done before the end of June.
We very much want to preserve a full 82-game season, and in that light, we made a proposal, an offer, really that is our best shot at preserving an 82-game regular season and playoffs, and this offer that we made obviously was contingent upon having an 82-game regular season.
A lot of you know we don't negotiate publicly, and I'm not going to break that habit because I don't think it's constructive. The fact of the matter is, we offered a 50-50 share of HRR, hockey related revenues, and we believe we addressed the concern that players have about what happens to their salaries as a result in this year of reducing the percentage from 57 to 50%.
Beyond that, I don't want to get into the substance other than to say we believe that this was a fair offer for a long-term deal, and it's one that we hope gets a positive reaction so that we can drop the puck on November 2nd -- which backing up, entails at least a one-week training camp. So we have about nine or ten days to get this all put to bed, signed, sealed and delivered, in order for this offer to be effective and for us to move forward.
We hope that this effort that we've undertaken today would be successful because we know how difficult this all has been for everybody associated with the game, particularly our fans.
How confident are you that this is going to go forward?
Well, we certainly hope it will. We've given it our best shot.
What was the reaction?
The reaction was that they obviously need to study it, and so we told them that we're available to them. But they're going to need some time to review it, and I respect that portion of the process. Obviously, they've got to understand the offer and get comfortable with it.
Was it just the core economic issues in terms of the offer?
We had a number of significant elements that we believe can and should serve as the basis of a deal to get us playing hockey.
Why do this today?
Because if we want to have an 82-game regular season, if we want to preserve an 82-game regular season and you back up the timetable in terms of the schedule, we needed to do it.
By the way, in terms of the schedule, so everybody understands, the compression that would be involved is one additional game every five weeks. Beyond that, we don't think it would be good for the players or for the game. But if you look at what our ability would be to schedule 82 games and you work back from November 2nd, if we didn't do it now, if we didn't put an effort on the table that we thought was fair and could get us playing hockey, if we didn't do it now, then it probably wasn't going to happen for a while. Because, again, it's done in the spirit of getting a full season in.
Is it 50-50 across the board?
It's 50-50 across board.
How long of a contract will this be?
I'm not going to get into the specifics. We proposed a long-term contract. We think that's in everybody's interest. We think that's what our fans want.
Can you explain how you address the roll back or the escrow?
There is no roll back, and I'm not going to get into the specifics. It would not be constructive at this point in time. The union has some work to do, and we respect the process. I probably have gone further than I usually have in terms of discussing what we've proposed than at any other time. But I'm not comfortable going any further. I'm more concerned about the process right now and getting us back on the ice.
How worried are you they might say no and more of the season will be lost?
I don't even want to go there.
Is the league amenable to playing an abbreviated schedule?
We're focused on getting the puck dropped on November 2nd and playing a full 82-game regular season and full playoffs. That's what this offer is all about.
Have you made plans to meet later in the week?
We're going to be on-call to them. They have some work to do internally. Obviously, we didn't put this proposal, this offer, together overnight, and they're going to need a little time to review it. I'm hoping that review will get us to a positive and constructive place.
Bettman to players: we can work it out
The National Hockey League and NHL Players Association met for several hours through the early afternoon on Tuesday in Toronto, with a significant proposal from one side now on the table.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has offered the players union a plan which would result in a 50-50 split in all hockey related revenues, no salary rollback, and the possibility of a full 82-game regular season, set to begin in early November, if the NHLPA accepts those terms.
"We very much want to preserve a full 82-game season and in that light we made a proposal, an offer really," Bettman said. "It is our best shot at preserving an 82-game regular season and [Stanley Cup] Playoffs."
This is significant news as the lockout has eclipsed the one-month mark, and with the decision to cancel more games on the horizon. Currently, all originally-scheduled contests have been shoved aside through October 24.
It is also a major public relations victory for the owners, who were embarrassed on Monday by a slam piece in Deadspin revealing the lengths the NHL will stretch in order to win the hearts and minds of fans, many of whom have encountered their third lockout.
Additional concessions in the new proposal, according to additional reports, will be a five-year limit on all future contracts, entry-level deals will expand to four years, and players will be eligible for unrestricted free agency at age 28 or after eight years of service to one team.
"Gary indicated to me and I assume he indicated to you that they would like to get a full 82-game season in," NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr said. "We, of course, share that view and would like to get a full 82-game season in. And, so, what our hope is that after we review this that there will be a feeling on
the players' side that this is a proposal from which we can negotiate and try to reach a conclusion. But, we are not in a position to make any comments about it beyond that at this point."
The union has a conference call scheduled for 5 PM Eastern time to discuss the breadth of this new offer.
If the proposal is accepted as it has been presented, the Flyers would open the season at home, on Saturday afternoon November 3 against the Anaheim Ducks. That will be followed by a Sunday evening matchup with the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Reports indicate that if this plan goes forward, the league will add all excised games from the first block of two-week cancellations throughout the reconstituted schedule in five-week intervals. The Orange and Black had four games on the slate, including three on home ice.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has offered the players union a plan which would result in a 50-50 split in all hockey related revenues, no salary rollback, and the possibility of a full 82-game regular season, set to begin in early November, if the NHLPA accepts those terms.
"We very much want to preserve a full 82-game season and in that light we made a proposal, an offer really," Bettman said. "It is our best shot at preserving an 82-game regular season and [Stanley Cup] Playoffs."
This is significant news as the lockout has eclipsed the one-month mark, and with the decision to cancel more games on the horizon. Currently, all originally-scheduled contests have been shoved aside through October 24.
It is also a major public relations victory for the owners, who were embarrassed on Monday by a slam piece in Deadspin revealing the lengths the NHL will stretch in order to win the hearts and minds of fans, many of whom have encountered their third lockout.
Additional concessions in the new proposal, according to additional reports, will be a five-year limit on all future contracts, entry-level deals will expand to four years, and players will be eligible for unrestricted free agency at age 28 or after eight years of service to one team.
"Gary indicated to me and I assume he indicated to you that they would like to get a full 82-game season in," NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr said. "We, of course, share that view and would like to get a full 82-game season in. And, so, what our hope is that after we review this that there will be a feeling on
the players' side that this is a proposal from which we can negotiate and try to reach a conclusion. But, we are not in a position to make any comments about it beyond that at this point."
The union has a conference call scheduled for 5 PM Eastern time to discuss the breadth of this new offer.
If the proposal is accepted as it has been presented, the Flyers would open the season at home, on Saturday afternoon November 3 against the Anaheim Ducks. That will be followed by a Sunday evening matchup with the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Reports indicate that if this plan goes forward, the league will add all excised games from the first block of two-week cancellations throughout the reconstituted schedule in five-week intervals. The Orange and Black had four games on the slate, including three on home ice.
Revised: UFL not out of business
Update: "After further research into this alleged news, we here at Philly Sports
Live have found out that the source from which the previous information
was received was not reliable and that the information was false. We
apologize to the United Football League and it’s community for releasing
this FALSE information. We strive to provide the most factual and
accurate sports news as possible and today, we got it wrong."
According to Philly Sports Live, the UFL has decided to fold up for good after only four weeks of the 2012 season.
The league, which faced financial obstacles ever since its 2009 inception, had a deal with CBS Sports in place, but with four football teams in non-traditional markets and flagging interest from the public, it was only a matter of time before the end.
Teams in Las Vegas, Sacramento, Omaha and Virginia Beach won't get to complete a season which was scheduled for eight weeks of regular season through mid-November and a title game slated for December 1.
According to Philly Sports Live, the UFL has decided to fold up for good after only four weeks of the 2012 season.
The league, which faced financial obstacles ever since its 2009 inception, had a deal with CBS Sports in place, but with four football teams in non-traditional markets and flagging interest from the public, it was only a matter of time before the end.
Teams in Las Vegas, Sacramento, Omaha and Virginia Beach won't get to complete a season which was scheduled for eight weeks of regular season through mid-November and a title game slated for December 1.
Castillo out as Eagles DC, Bowles in
The Philadelphia Eagles made a bold move on Tuesday morning, giving defensive
coordinator Juan Castillo his walking papers and promoting secondary coach Todd
Bowles to the post.
The move comes just two days after the Eagles blew a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter and dropped a 26-23 overtime decision against Detroit.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid indicated on Monday that changes could be coming with the team just 3-3 heading into their bye week.
"We're six games into the season and average isn't good enough," said Reid. "I know the potential of our team and insist on maximizing it."
Castillo came under fire last year in his first season in charge of the defense after 13 years as the Eagles' offensive line coach. Reid stuck with Castillo despite widespread speculation of a potential change in the wake of an 8-8 season.
The 53-year-old football lifer came to the Birds in 1995 after a second stint with Texas A&M-Kingsville from 1990-94, where he served as linebackers coach and defensive coordinator. Castillo also suited up for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL from 1984-85. He served as offensive line coach from 1998-2010 until his surprise selection as defensive chief prior to the start of last season.
Reid's job security is also on the line this season. Owner Jeffrey Lurie had indicated during the summer that another .500 mark would probably force some major changes within the organization.
Bowles, meanwhile, was in his first season as Philadelphia's secondary coach. He joined the team in January after spending four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, including the final three games of the 2011 campaign as interim head coach.
The Temple product posted a 2-1 record last December with the Dolphins after Tony Sparano was fired and was considered for the full-time position that went to Joe Philbin.
Bowles has also been a secondary coach with Dallas, Cleveland and the New York Jets in 13 seasons as an NFL assistant.
The Birds next take the field on Sunday, October 28 at home against the Atlanta Falcons.
"I want to make it clear that I have nothing but the ultimate respect for Juan Castillo as a coach and as a person," Reid added. "He's one of the finest football coaches that I have ever worked with. He has served this organization extremely well for 18 years and letting him go was a difficult decision."
The move comes just two days after the Eagles blew a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter and dropped a 26-23 overtime decision against Detroit.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid indicated on Monday that changes could be coming with the team just 3-3 heading into their bye week.
"We're six games into the season and average isn't good enough," said Reid. "I know the potential of our team and insist on maximizing it."
Castillo came under fire last year in his first season in charge of the defense after 13 years as the Eagles' offensive line coach. Reid stuck with Castillo despite widespread speculation of a potential change in the wake of an 8-8 season.
The 53-year-old football lifer came to the Birds in 1995 after a second stint with Texas A&M-Kingsville from 1990-94, where he served as linebackers coach and defensive coordinator. Castillo also suited up for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL from 1984-85. He served as offensive line coach from 1998-2010 until his surprise selection as defensive chief prior to the start of last season.
Reid's job security is also on the line this season. Owner Jeffrey Lurie had indicated during the summer that another .500 mark would probably force some major changes within the organization.
Bowles, meanwhile, was in his first season as Philadelphia's secondary coach. He joined the team in January after spending four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, including the final three games of the 2011 campaign as interim head coach.
The Temple product posted a 2-1 record last December with the Dolphins after Tony Sparano was fired and was considered for the full-time position that went to Joe Philbin.
Bowles has also been a secondary coach with Dallas, Cleveland and the New York Jets in 13 seasons as an NFL assistant.
The Birds next take the field on Sunday, October 28 at home against the Atlanta Falcons.
"I want to make it clear that I have nothing but the ultimate respect for Juan Castillo as a coach and as a person," Reid added. "He's one of the finest football coaches that I have ever worked with. He has served this organization extremely well for 18 years and letting him go was a difficult decision."
Monday, October 15, 2012
College hockey round-up
Over the weekend, a large chunk of the Division-I regular season got underway.
Flyers goaltending prospect Anthony Stolarz, picked 45th overall back in June, backstopped the University of Nebraska-Omaha to an appearance in the Icebreaker Tournament Finals at Sprint Center in Kansas City.
In a 5-1 opening victory against Army on Friday, he stopped 17-of-18 shots as the Mavericks rolled up 38 shots the other way.
On Saturday, in a 3-2 loss to Notre Dame, Stolarz gave up two goals on 12 shots in the first period, but rebounded to make 23 saves in all.
The Mavs return home for two games on Friday and Saturday hosting Northern Michigan in a WCHA/CCHA cross-conference matchup.
Defending national champion and preseason #1 program Boston College got a rude introduction to Hockey East play in its season-opener on Saturday. At historic Matthews Arena, Northeastern dealt Jerry York's club a 3-1 defeat thanks to freshmen Ryan Belonger, Kevin Roy and Colton Saucerman beating BC's Parker Milner once each. The loss knocked them down to third slot in the new weekly poll.
Second-ranked Minnesota blasted Michigan State by 5-1 and 7-1 scores and ascended to the top spot in the nation, while #3 Michigan rested after an exhibition win over Windsor earlier in the week. The Gophers gained 46 of the 50 available first-place votes after winning both of their games to start the year.
In other news, the Penn State Nittany Lions hung tough in their first weekend of official D-I play, splitting a pair of overtime games against American International in Wilkes-Barre.
On Friday, Casey Bailey etched his name into the record books with the first goal in program history, coming at 4:37 of the second period in a 4-3 setback. One night later, it took David Glen just 38 seconds into the extra frame to add his name to the ledger with the deciding score in a 3-2 victory.
The Nits play two this coming weekend, at Buffalo State and home against RIT.
Flyers goaltending prospect Anthony Stolarz, picked 45th overall back in June, backstopped the University of Nebraska-Omaha to an appearance in the Icebreaker Tournament Finals at Sprint Center in Kansas City.
In a 5-1 opening victory against Army on Friday, he stopped 17-of-18 shots as the Mavericks rolled up 38 shots the other way.
On Saturday, in a 3-2 loss to Notre Dame, Stolarz gave up two goals on 12 shots in the first period, but rebounded to make 23 saves in all.
The Mavs return home for two games on Friday and Saturday hosting Northern Michigan in a WCHA/CCHA cross-conference matchup.
Defending national champion and preseason #1 program Boston College got a rude introduction to Hockey East play in its season-opener on Saturday. At historic Matthews Arena, Northeastern dealt Jerry York's club a 3-1 defeat thanks to freshmen Ryan Belonger, Kevin Roy and Colton Saucerman beating BC's Parker Milner once each. The loss knocked them down to third slot in the new weekly poll.
Second-ranked Minnesota blasted Michigan State by 5-1 and 7-1 scores and ascended to the top spot in the nation, while #3 Michigan rested after an exhibition win over Windsor earlier in the week. The Gophers gained 46 of the 50 available first-place votes after winning both of their games to start the year.
In other news, the Penn State Nittany Lions hung tough in their first weekend of official D-I play, splitting a pair of overtime games against American International in Wilkes-Barre.
On Friday, Casey Bailey etched his name into the record books with the first goal in program history, coming at 4:37 of the second period in a 4-3 setback. One night later, it took David Glen just 38 seconds into the extra frame to add his name to the ledger with the deciding score in a 3-2 victory.
The Nits play two this coming weekend, at Buffalo State and home against RIT.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Lions rally late, top Eagles in OT
Special to the Phanatic
Philadelphia, PA -- Jason Hanson tied the game in regulation and won it in overtime as the Detroit Lions took a 26-23 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, the club's first over the Birds since 1986.
Hanson, who has held the position since 1992, went 4-for-4 and also added two extra points to move past John Carney into third place on the NFL's all-time scoring list.
Matthew Stafford was off for much of the game, but he led the team on three scoring drives in the fourth quarter and the game-winner in overtime. He finished the game 22-for-45 with 311 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Lions (2-3), who won for the first time since opening the season with a win over St. Louis. Stafford also ran in a score.
"It's huge because we really needed this," said Detroit defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. "We just needed to play well and get back on track."
Calvin Johnson was also quiet for much of the game, but he finished the contest with six catches for 135 yards while Nate Burleson caught a score for Detroit, which snapped a six-game losing streak to Philadelphia.
Michael Vick was picked off twice, sacked three times and hit hard on several other plays, but did throw two touchdown passes and finished the game 28-for-46 with 311 yards. He also had a team-high 59 yards on nine carries, but it wasn't enough to stop the Eagles (3-3) from losing their second straight game going into their bye week.
Hanson tied the game with a 19-yard field goal with just three seconds left, but Philadelphia began the extra session with the ball.
Vick, though, was sacked on consecutive plays to force the team into a 3rd- and-31 and the Eagles wound up having to punt from their own 4-yard line.
Stefan Logan fielded the ball at his own 39 and ran it to the midfield mark. He was stripped of the ball, but it took a lucky bounce back into his arms while he was on the ground and the Detroit offense went to work.
Stafford hit Tony Scheffler for 16 yards on the first play, but a 10-yard holding penalty pushed the team back. Johnson, though, caught a 17-yard pass on the next play to get the Lions in field goal range. After a pair of runs, Hanson booted the ball in from 45 yards out for the win.
"Every guy in that locker room never stops fighting and that's what got us the win today," said Stafford. "We can't make it this hard on ourselves every week. We understand that. But at the same time, a win is a win in the NFL and they don't always come easy."
Philadelphia started the second half with the ball and a one-point lead, which the team built on as a 15-play, 72-yard drive was capped on a 26-yard field goal from Alex Henery for a 10-6 advantage with 8:23 to play in the third.
Detroit went three-and-out and had to punt, with the Eagles getting the ball back at their own 36. The team got down to the Detroit 3 and appeared to have a score when Brent Celek caught a pass in the end zone, but he was called for pass interference and the Eagles ultimately had to settle for a 32-yard field goal from Henery for a 13-6 lead with 3:39 to play in the third.
Following another three-and-out from Detroit, the Eagles again added to their advantage as a 49-yard field goal from Henery made it a 16-6 game early in the fourth quarter.
The Lions finally got their offense on track on their ensuing touch as Stafford capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive with a scramble into the end zone around the left side to make it a 16-13 game with 10:30 to play.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Vick was picked off by Chris Houston, but the Lions were unable to take advantage of the gift and ultimately had to punt.
Philly struck quickly, as on the third play Vick found Jeremy Maclin wide open over the middle and he took it 70 yards into the end zone for a 23-13 lead with 5:18 to play in the game.
Detroit answered less than two minutes later on a 17-yard touchdown catch by Burleson from Stafford. The play was set up on a 57-yard catch by Scheffler on a long bomb down the right sideline.
A three-and-out from Philly saw the Lions get the ball back at their own 32 and a 17-yard catch by Johnson moved the ball across midfield. Another Johnson catch of 16 yards was initially ruled out of bounds, but a replay reversed the call. Detroit got down to the 1-yard line, but was unable to punch it in and a 19-yard field goal from Hanson sent the game to overtime.
"We've got to find a way to close the game," said Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy. "I felt we had the game in control. To lose like this is a sick feeling."
The first points of the game went to the Lions on a 46-yard make from their sure-footed veteran, who then converted 34-yard field goal for a 6-0 lead with 3:58 left in the first.
Philadelphia put together a drive on its next touch and got down to the Detroit 29. Vick was in the shotgun on a 2nd-and-7, but he wasn't even looking at the center as the ball was snapped and the Lions' Stephen Tulloch fell on the ball at the Detroit 45.
The Lions were unable to take advantage, though, as a deep pass into the end zone for Johnson was picked off by Nnamdi Asomugha and the Eagles got the ball back at their own 20.
Following another exchange of punts, Philly got near midfield, but Louis Delmas, playing his first game of the season, picked off a deep Vick pass. The Lions converted a couple of first downs, but were unable to get close to scoring position and the Eagles got the ball back at their own 21.
Philadelphia was finally able to put together a scoring drive as the team got into the end zone when Vick hit McCoy near the line and he took it in from two yards out for a 7-6 lead with 1:16 to play in the half. Two plays before, a pass interference call on Detroit had moved the ball to the 3-yard line.
Notes: Detroit committed 10 penalties in the first half and finished the game with an NFL season high 16 for 132 yards ... Philadelphia defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was thrown out of the game for throwing a punch at a player on the extra point attempt after Detroit's first touchdown ... Hanson now has 2,074 points in his career. He needed just three coming into the game to pass Carney ... Detroit plays in Chicago next Monday night ... Philadelphia will host Atlanta two weeks from Sunday ... Mikel Leshoure led the Detroit running game with 70 yards on 15 carries ... Philadelphia safety Nate Allen left the game with a hamstring injury ... Detroit cornerbacks Jacob Lacey (concussion) and Bill Bentley (shoulder) left the game.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Power to the people...but only if they know it's theirs to use
So, it's come to this. The one where we step up on the soapbox, take a cushy seat in the ivory tower, and use a bullhorn to tell the public what they should be doing with their lives.
We don't relish this role. We're usually cynics, not scolds. But sometimes, we all have to cave and let the vitriol flow towards our close-knit and loyal audience who obviously haven't gotten the message.
Today, Thursday, October 11, is the date when the 2012-13 regular season was supposed to kick off. There are no games to be found in North America at the highest level. The first two-week chunk of games has been excised, under the guise of a potential "rescheduling," backed up to October 25.
Talks between the NHL and NHLPA continue this week, but with no serious discussion of the issues driving a wedge between the two sides. That means there will be no hockey come the 25th, or Halloween, but it doesn't prevent certain outlets from reporting morsels of positivity that there will be accord by Thanksgiving, peace by Christmas, or a party on New Year's Day.
Providing false hope is a scarier specter and a darker illusion that what you'll find behind the cold stones at Eastern State Penitentiary this time of year. At least we know they care about ice quality, so we got that going for us.
Commissioner Gary Bettman has gagged his bosses, the 30 owners, leaving only he and second-in-command Bill Daly as official spokespersons upon pain of a $1 million fine. NHLPA head Don Fehr has done nothing while most of the marquee names and a lot of nobodies have fled to play in Europe at the first sign of interest. Union solidarity, like owner solidarity, is a total myth perpetuated by both sides in short bursts when it suits their PR purpose.
It's 2004 all over again. And what do you do? Complain on Twitter. Social media has got to be used for a higher purpose, folks, and this should be your time to shine and bring it into the public sphere.
There are three things that we don't know if average people can do on a massive scale anymore: think, organize, and act.
It was a total embarrassment and gave a million rags across the continent an easy target for soft news peddling itself as revelation, when the small coterie of fans in their favorite team's jerseys stood outside NHL headquarters in New York City, holding up cardboard signs displaying their disgust on September 15, with the lockout hours away.
We could lay some money down and win on the fact that there are some of you amongst the readership who have tossed off more than a few dismissive comments about the nature of the Occupy movement, at least as it has been portrayed on the nightly news.
What you don't get is, as NHL fans without product, you ARE the Occupy movement. In the United States, at least, the die-hard hockey fan is a kindred spirit with all the archetypes -- the "filthy hippie" in the drum circle; the play-acting university anarchist who totes Karl Marx in his knapsack;. the 65-year-old laid off and unable to find work due to age discrimination and a lack of proper retirement funds -- marginalized, never taken seriously, and left to your own devices until you get tired and come to your senses to join "the rest of the world."
We are the refuse, constantly subject to derision from devotees of the Big Three, College Basketball, College Football, and yes, now even NASCAR.
But those filthy hippies recently celebrated their first anniversary, so don't think it can't be done if the will and the anger is there. Anyone with eyeballs and ears know it is.
Our voices need not only be heard above the usual dissonant nonsense, but also among our friends and neighbors who attempted a bitterness-fueled takedown of the NFL over the replacement officials flap and won that fight.
Whether you come from the generation that has substituted most actual face-to-face interaction for cyber means, or from those who are now waxing philosophical about the days when typewriters ruled the Earth, if you're upset enough to complain, do it in a way that will get noticed. The internet is not enough. You will not make an impact or an impression in a "world" which doesn't exist once the power goes out.
So you feel the need to "do" something, and not just sit there and take it in an uncomfortable place (like the back seat of a Volkswagen) while millionaires and billionaires fight over Hockey Related Revenues like House Harkkonen and House Atreides for control of Spice production?
Taking up valuable internet space calling for signatures to stop the lockout ain't gonna cut it. Neither is righteous anger splayed out on HF Boards, nor is retweeting sentiments others have posted as if it matters. What this is about, only those north of the border know, but it doesn't look like it will amount to much, despite that network's sway in NHL coverage.
This weekly kabuki between the league and union is reaching the absurd status of a Monty Python skit, as transparent as Mr. Hilter trying to take over South-West England from a bed and breakfast in Minehead.
Apparently, this has not sunk in for enough fans to turn them against those who keep their favorite sport on the sidelines.
As Sam Carchidi of the Inquirer tweeted last Thursday, there are roughly 19,500 seats in the Flyers' home rink. Of that, 18,200 are property of season-ticket holders. Only five people have gone on record as canceling their plans due to the lockout. On the chance those figures are higher than in reality, how long will it take before the "love is blindness" crowd comes to their senses? Though they're not all full-on full-season plans, we realize that once you give them up, a couple dozen others will fall upon them like carrion crows to a carcass. You need to break yourselves of that cycle. Once demand drops, that will be an eye-opener.
Don't let the front office dangle a carrot in front of you with this whole "earning 2 percent interest" nonsense. Take it back. Or have you forgotten that money was yours to begin with, and you made the choice to block off the funds for that "investment?" Make the choice to take it back. Use it for rent, gas, a vacation, your kids' college fund. All better futures than a league that shows so openly that it cares little about your devotion.
Look at our Portuguese brothers and sisters, taking to the streets to combat proposed austerity measures intended to end the fiscal slide across the European Union. They stood up to a show of force by police, chanting "We will leave when you leave." In Bilbao, Spain, the firemen's union made their disgust at budget cuts known in a most naked, obvious manner.
Have you already forgotten how powerful a demonstration the people of Winnipeg staged in the Spring of 1995, with the Jets all but gone, just to keep them for one more season?
And just this past weekend, some Wichita-based yahoo raised enough cash to rent a plane and fly a specially-made banner over Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City protesting how badly the Chiefs have played this year.
Don't tell me you're so tired by your working life, or immobilized by technology that divides us, that you can't use what gray matter you have left and create something special and worthy on a scale that will draw attention. Power in numbers, it's still true.
Tonight, for instance, the organ-eye-zation is going to try and pump up sagging numbers at its shining new "entertainment" complex at 11th and Pattison (which used to be ground the hallowed Spectrum stood on, BTW) by showing the HBO documentary about the Broad Street Bullies. Some of those celebrated in the film will make an appearance. This is a good place to start. Show the Comcast behemoth you won't be so easily doped by moving pictures glorifying a team from 40 years ago, by not showing up and not spending money.
And if that feels good, take the next step. Write, call, fax, show up and show your displeasure at 3601 South Broad Street. Do the same for the NHL and NHLPA. And when that feels good, get your friends, neighbors, fellow season-ticket-group acquaintances to band together and go from there.
Whatever you choose to protest, channel that passion, that anger, that hurt into ACTION. Be heard. Be a collective force. And most importantly, know that you are not alone, in this city, this country and across this continent.
In Canada, where hockey's status is akin to a combination of both baseball and football in the U.S.A, there are several things going on. In Toronto, they're not! gonna! protest! and in Edmonton, they're gonna spend their money somewhere else.
Below are some key numbers and people to speak with who have some influence.
NHL offices: (212) 789-2000. NHLPA offices: (416) 313-2300.
Philadelphia Flyers: Wells Fargo Center (215) 465-4500, fax (215) 218-7837.
Shawn Tilger, Senior Vice President of Business Operations: stilger@comcast-spectacor.com.
Cecilia Baker, Vice President of Ticket Operations: cbaker@comcast-spectacor.com.
Flyers Public Relations office: 215-389-9554.
Vice President, Ticket Sales: Jim Willits
Director of Ticket Sales: Tim Gobs
Signed, the Phanatic Hockey Staff
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