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SPORTS Monday 17 SepteMber 2018

Lockout looming? NHL is 1 year away from key labor deadline

By STEPHEN WHYNO done and what the NHL’s agreeing to participate of your contract? I think calendar should be. But I
AP Hockey Writer trying to get done,” New in the 2018 Olympics. As that’s a kick you-know- would like to believe that
Connor McDavid heard York Rangers forward Chris much as players wanted to where. I don’t agree with we could figure out a way
teammates talking about Kreider said. “I don’t think go, they rejected that deal that, and I think there’s a to do that.
another potential lockout So is (going to the Olym-
when he entered the NHL pics) definitely going to
— in 2015. be a subject of collective
As he became one of bargaining? I can’t say
hockey’s best players and that yet. Is it possible? Of
signed the richest annual course.”
contract in the league, Mc- Given that lockouts wiped
David says he remains opti- out the 2004-05 season and
mistic there will not be an- reduced it to 48 games in
other work stoppages like 2013, some star players and
those in 2004-05 and 2012- their agents looked ahead
13 — but he protected him- to a potential work stop-
self anyway with contract page in 2020 or 2022. Ac-
language guaranteeing cording to PuckPedia , 77
some early payment, just in players have signing bo-
case. nuses in their contracts for
“Both parties have kind of the 2020-21 season total-
prepared so long for it,” ing over $252 million — an
McDavid said. “I genuine- increase of more than 10
ly believe that both sides percent from the amount
want to keep playing. We of players who have bo-
want to play and the own- nuses in 2019-20.
ers want to keep making McDavid has $12 million of
money.” his $13 million salary that
The NHL has reached al- In this June 20, 2018, file photo, Gary Bettman, commissioner of the National Hockey League, season in a signing bonus
most $5 billion in revenue, poses on the red carpet before the NHL Awards in Las Vegas. Bettman was selected to the Hockey paid in July, Toronto’s John
Hall of Fame.
up from just $437 million in Associated Press Tavares will make $11.09
1993, and is in the midst of million of his $12 million with
a U.S. TV deal with NBC that the conversation about — a signal they have con- lot of things the NHL can do the lump sum and many
pays $2 billion and a Cana- (hockey-related revenue) cerns with the deal signed to promote the game and other top players have the
dian TV deal with Sportsnet is going away any time in 2013. enhance the business side so-called lockout protec-
that pays almost $5 billion. soon. It’s such a kind of am- One of the prevailing play- of the game. Their mistakes tions in their contracts —
The growth and popularity biguous and often argued- er complaints is having up- shouldn’t be coming out of just in case.
of NHL hockey is undeni- about point. I know guys ward of 10 percent of their the players’ pockets.” “I just hope as a player that
able, yet labor issues are want to go to the Olym- paychecks held in escrow The ultimate goal is to grow I don’t try to be looking at
bubbling beneath the ve- pics, and I know guys don’t to conform to the 50/50 business big enough that things differently or self-
neer — again. like escrow.” split of revenue with own- escrow is reduced to zero ishly because I’ve earned
The current collective bar- NHLPA executive director ers. and contracts are worth that money ahead of time
gaining agreement can- Don Fehr told The Associ- The salary cap goes up, but exactly as they’re written. where obviously maybe
not be terminated until ated Press he didn’t nec- if revenue doesn’t grow in Players consider the Olym- other players haven’t,” Ta-
September 2020, but there essarily expect one side or proportion, players forfeit a pics one opportunity to vares said.
is a key date looming 12 the other to reopen labor percentage of their pay. grow the game. “I think you try to put your-
months from now: On Sept. talks but “that’s what you “I don’t care how much Bettman and the owners self in the middle and try to
1, 2019, the league has the plan for, and you sort of as- money you make or what say stopping the season for look at things objectively.
option and then, on Sept. sume it’s going to happen you do, you sign a con- two weeks is a significant “I think obviously, unfortu-
15, the Players’ Association because otherwise you’re tract, you feel like you’ve disruption, but the Olym- nately, the last few times
has the option to terminate not ready.” earned that and you ex- pics will be a point of inter- there’s been opportunities
the labor pact. Commissioner Gary Bett- pect that your employer is nal discussion and could for the CBA to be negoti-
Another battle is brewing, man told The AP he’s “a going to hold up his end of extend to bargaining talks. ated, there’s been lengthy
with revenue, escrow pay- fan of stability and labor the deal,” Chicago Black- “We need a long-term labor stoppages and some-
ments and the Olympics peace. We’re not looking hawks captain Jonathan international calendar thing that obviously I had to
among the top issues ex- for a dispute.” Toews said. agreement with the own- consider.
pected to be on the table. Bettman proposed a three- “At the end of each season ers,” Fehr said. “And I think When you see that as
“Everyone has a pretty year extension of the cur- to be told that they’re go- they share that view even part of history, you worry
good understanding of rent CBA through 2025 in ing to take back 10 or 12 or if we have significantly dif- that that trend is going to
what the PA’s trying to get exchange for the league 15 or sometimes 20 percent ferent views as to what that continue.”q