The end is near
There's much talk and speculation that this weekend will be the first time a professional sports season has been cancelled in North America. With that, I'm referring to the NHL. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm not disappointed in this whole collective bargaining mess, but a line has to be drawn somewhere.
Now, before you say things like "these guys are overpaid" or "so-and-so got 2 million dollars last year," try to remember that for all the money these athletes make, players in the NHL make considerably less than football, basketball and baseball players, but play a hard, physical game for our enjoyment. I'm not knocking what other athletes do, but unlike an individual sporting event, hockey combines several elements of multiple games. Take, for example, basketball, with all the running up and down the court. Now, add that to the physical pounding that football players endure. Mix in a bit of hand-eye coordination, and viola! A hockey game has started.
I know, also, that sports is business, and the reason we have business is to make money. But, what I don't understand is why most of these team organizations are crying that they aren't making money. Do they really need redundant positions within the office staff? Do these said executives really need to be making 7 and 8 figure salaries? I don't know about you, but if I were a team owner, I'd be looking at cutting back on my office staff and other overhead costs before I try to cut back on the people who were bringing in the money, game after game.
I'm saddened this weekend that I'm not going to see any of my Philadelphia Flyers this year, but I hold out hope that sometime over the summer, the player's association and the league will finally sit down and hammer things out. Until then, I'll go back to playing hockey on the computer.
I wonder if my fingers can get paid a percentage...
Now, before you say things like "these guys are overpaid" or "so-and-so got 2 million dollars last year," try to remember that for all the money these athletes make, players in the NHL make considerably less than football, basketball and baseball players, but play a hard, physical game for our enjoyment. I'm not knocking what other athletes do, but unlike an individual sporting event, hockey combines several elements of multiple games. Take, for example, basketball, with all the running up and down the court. Now, add that to the physical pounding that football players endure. Mix in a bit of hand-eye coordination, and viola! A hockey game has started.
I know, also, that sports is business, and the reason we have business is to make money. But, what I don't understand is why most of these team organizations are crying that they aren't making money. Do they really need redundant positions within the office staff? Do these said executives really need to be making 7 and 8 figure salaries? I don't know about you, but if I were a team owner, I'd be looking at cutting back on my office staff and other overhead costs before I try to cut back on the people who were bringing in the money, game after game.
I'm saddened this weekend that I'm not going to see any of my Philadelphia Flyers this year, but I hold out hope that sometime over the summer, the player's association and the league will finally sit down and hammer things out. Until then, I'll go back to playing hockey on the computer.
I wonder if my fingers can get paid a percentage...
posted by Den at 9:57 AM
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