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SPORTS Monday 24 June 2019
Rebooting World Cup of Hockey to be part of NHL labor talks

VANCOUVER, British Co- ful event, particularly if we
lumbia (AP) — With labor don't go to the Olympics,"
talks having already begun Bettman said.
on an informal basis, NHL Though resolving a way to
Commissioner Gary Bett- reduce the percentage of
man and union chief Don players' salaries being held
Fehr are in favor of reboot- back annually in an escrow
ing the World Cup of Hock- fund is the NHL Players' As-
ey tournament and holding sociation's most pressing
it every four years. concern with the collective
The stumbling block to lay- bargaining agreement, in-
ing out a long-term calen- ternational competition is
dar of international com- also on the list.
petition, however, revolves And that's where the World
around the hot-button Cup — revived in 2016 —
topic of the NHL compet- and Olympic Games par-
ing at the Winter Olympics ticipation will play a role
after skipping out on South once formal negotiations
Korea last year. begin this summer leading
"One of the things I hope up to September deadlines
we will have is an agree- in which either side can
ment to establish the long- choose to opt out and ter-
term schedule for interna- minate the current CBA by
tional events which would the fall of 2020. The owners
include World Cups of have until Sept. 1 and play-
Hockey," said Fehr, stressing ers on Sept. 15 to reach
the plural "Cups" during an their decisions and set the In this Jan. 24, 2015, file photo, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, and NHL Player's Associa-
interview with The Associ- clock ticking toward an- tion Executive Director Donald Fehr take part in announcing the return of the World Cup of Hockey
ated Press at the league's other potential work stop- in 2016 in Toronto, during a news conference at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
draft festivities in Vancou- page. Associated Press
ver, British Columbia, this "There have been a series
past weekend. "That's a of discussions. I don't think The union sides with the the following year. the agreement on all the
stand-alone event. It should I would call them formal league involving other is- There was even discussion intervening pieces."
not be seen as competing negotiations yet," Fehr said. sues regarding Olympic — but no resolution — of Fehr noted the union and
with or replacing the Olym- "And if your next question's participation such as play- having it held every four NHL can't resolve the Olym-
pics. It can be done." going to be how it's going ers' medical insurance years. The World Cup was pic participation question
Bettman is on board when to end up, I'm going to tell coverage and marketing previously played in 1996 alone in labor talks be-
it comes to the World Cup. you, ask me in the middle rights. and 2004, and succeeded cause outstanding issues
"We think that's a great of August because I don't None of those apply when the Canada Cup, which must also be negotiated
event and it's something know yet." it comes to the World Cup was held five times from with the International Ice
we've been trying to work Players are unhappy with because it's jointly con- 1976-91. Hockey Federation and In-
out for more than two the league's decision to trolled by the league and Speaking only for himself ternational Olympic Com-
years," he said. "We're all skip the most recent Winter union, with both sides split- and not the union, Fehr said mittee.
in favor of setting an inter- Games after having partici- ting the revenue. he would prefer the NHL Bettman doesn't see why
national calendar, and it pated in the previous five. The World Cup's return was compete at the Olympics the two sides can't reach
takes two to tango, so to Shutting down the regular greeted with a tremendous and then have the World a deal on the World Cup,
speak." season for two weeks is an amount of fanfare when Cup held every four years given they're both in favor.
There's a caveat, of course, issue for owners, as was the Bettman and Fehr shared — with two years separat- "Yes, so it should get done,"
and the reason why the time difference regarding the podium at the 2015 all- ing the events. Bettman said. "We're going
two sides aren't tangoing South Korea, with games star game festivities in Co- "If it was up to me, I'd do it to ultimately come togeth-
just yet. being played in the early lumbus, Ohio, to announce all sooner rather than later, er and figure out something
"We think the World Cup of morning for North Ameri- the eight-team event but we'll see," Fehr said. that everybody's comfort-
Hockey can be a wonder- can audiences. would be held in Toronto "The question is, can we get able with."q

Bernal lifts injury-hit Team

INEOS with Tour de Suisse title

ULRICHEN, Switzerland (AP) Thomas' accident followed The 22-year-old Colombian
— In a rough month for teammate and four-time finished 19 seconds ahead
Team INEOS, Egan Bernal Tour de France winner Chris of Rohan Dennis overall af-
lifted the British squad with Froome suffering season- ter they finished Sunday's
overall victory Sunday in ending injuries in a training stage together, 1 minute, 2
the nine-day Tour de Suisse. crash in France. seconds behind Hugh Car-
Bernal came to Switzerland Bernal is still slated to start thy's solo breakaway on Egan Bernal from Colombia of Team Ineos lifts the trophy after
to support team leader the Tour de France on July snow-lined roads. winning the Tour de Suisse at the ninth and final stage, a 101.5
Geraint Thomas, the 2018 6 as Thomas' top aide, Bernal was 3:04 clear over- km race with start and finish in Goms, Switzerland, at the 83rd
Tour de France champion, though this confirmed race- all of third-place Patrick Tour de Suisse UCI ProTour cycling race, on Sunday, June 23,
who crashed out in a nasty winning potential after his Konrad. 2019.
fall on Tuesday. Paris-Nice title in March. q Associated Press