Players Should Bring Hockey Back :: essays research papers

Persuassive Essay: 104 words, including references written APA style Players Should Bring Hockey Back Players Should Bring Hockey Back Having reached another impasse in talks on January 26, in Toronto, between owners and players, there continues to be no NHL hockey season. The lack of an agreement centers on the owners’ desire for a salary cap and the players’ saying they will not budge on that particular point. Albeit this is not the only sticking point, other issues appear to center around this one (Lebrun, NoHockey.CA, 2005, para. 13). The far-reaching affects of the lockout are becoming devastating to businesses that rely on income from games (Lebrun) and fans have reached a fervor of disdain for the whole ordeal (The Australian, 2005, para. 12-14). The players need to make a contract work by agreeing to some form of salary cap, allowing owners to control costs. Players and owners will win, revenues will improve for businesses dependent on games for income, and the fans will win! Making a contract work Players have expressed a complete unwillingness to a salary cap or as the owners have termed it, a â€Å"cost certainty†. While they have purposed roll-backs in salaries and lower rookie salaries, they continue to miss the big picture as it is seen by owners and fans alike. Exactly how much money do you need to make to play a sport you say you love? In 1995 the average salary for an NHL player was $750k, at the need of the 2003-2004 season, that average was $1.8 million dollars (†¦.). The owners are demanding a break and want to maintain profitability. If forced by players to pay outrageous salaries, how can smaller teams compete? They cannot and that is exactly the point. Owners have reported a loss in excess of $1 billion dollars in the last ten years (The Australian). That appears to be reason enough for a salary cap. If the losses were to continue, it seems likely that the sport will end, as team owners fold up shop unable to bear further losses. The economic devastat ion experienced by businesses associated with the sport now, would only become worse. Economic Effects   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  From food vendors within stadiums to sportswear manufacturers, many businesses that rely on a hockey game or two for income, are becoming deeply impacted. According to a report at NoHockey.CA, from the Denver Associated Press, â€Å"The dispute that has kept NHL players locked out for 133 days as of Wednesday has meant millions of dollars in losses for stores, restaurants and businesses across North America that rely at least in part on a professional hockey team for their livelihood.