From: dvb@emisle.uucp ()
Subject: Re: So long, Stanley Cup playoffs
Organization: Emerald Isle Systems, Ltd. Agoura Hills, CA
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 92 06:48:55 GMT


am2x+@andrew.cmu.edu (Anna Matyas) writes:
: *First, let me say that I had no ill feelings whatsover toward the
:  players for doing this -- initially.  I've changed in that respect.

: *Granted, from what we know, the owners refused to talk all season.
:  The players decided to strike at the time when the owners could
:  make the most money (and the players the least amount of money.
:  Playoffs do not make the players rich).  I can understand that the
:  players felt they had to hit the owners where it hurts the most.
:  But I'm also PO'd that the players have made their money for the
:  season.  I think I'd respect them a little more if they had waited
:  until the beginning of next season, when they would have gone without
:  their paychecks.

I do not think either party has been the least bit savvy, or professional
in this matter. I do not believe the players have a case, any more.

: *As a paying customer, I will feel very cheated if there are no
:  playoffs.  The playoffs are the culmination of the entire season --
:  not merely another set of games.  Even though we'll get refunds,
:  I still feel cheated.  We're paying for a product and not getting
:  our due.  It's like cutting a 26-mile marathon off at mile 23.

Agreed. I shelled out $750+ for two strips of seats (Kings) for all
playoff games. If they are not playing, I want it back NOW. I was willing
to wait until July for my refund of any unplayed games, but it is complete
crap at this point.

: *Jim disagrees with me but I think Baldwin was serious when he said
:  he'd bring in replacement players.  

This would never fly. The majority of the revenue comes from the games, and
the fans would just not go. I would file suit claiming this is not what I
paid for, if thery tried to shove replacement bodies into the Black and Silver
uniforms. Anyone for a class action if this happens? (no smiley).

:  not paying for that.  I don't want to pay for that either but I'm also
:  concerned about forfeiting my right to buy season tickets -- or perhaps
:  getting shifted to another section and I don't want that to happen.
:  If I lived in a city where attendance was low I wouldn't worry.  But
:  Penguin tickets are a hot item right now.  I don't want what might
:  happen early next season to affect my current status.

Unlike baseball or football fans, I believe Hockey fans are much more
emotionally attached to the teams. I believe there will be a measurable
drop in attendance for a while, especially in the area of season tix, assuming
the playoffs do not happen.

: 
: My bone of contention, I guess, is not with the players' original
: issues but with the way they have gone about it.  Maybe they thought
: the owners would panic at the prospect of losing playoff money and
: would cave in immediately.  Well, there's still time for resolution
: and I've been optimistic through these first 9 or so days and I
: continue to be.  If I'm going to be PO'd about something I'd rather it
: be about a Larry Murphy boneheaded play than this crap!

I think the players out-stupided the owners on this one. There will be no
playoffs, unless the players budge. The owners will not lose their shirts.
The order of suffering is:

1. Fans    - obvious why
2. Players - widening differences with owners, losing respect of fans.
3. Owners  - purely financial

I was for the strike at first, but I had not really looked at what they were
striking about. The trading card money is only there because the owners
market the players. If there is no game, nobody wants new cards therefore
no players get money. They are shooting themselves in the foot for no
apparent reason.
-- 
David Van Beveren                          e-mail: uunet!emisle!dvb
Consulting Engineer                         voice: (818) 587-1247
EIS Ltd. Professional Software Services 
        "The opinions presented ARE those of Emerald Isle Systems!"