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NHL, Players’ Union Reach Tentative Deal to End 113-Day-Old Lockout

Jan. 6, 2013 7:18am Madeleine Morgenstern

NHL, Players Union Reach Tentative Deal to End Hockey Lockout

NEW YORK (AP) — Hockey is back, and it took nearly four months and one long night to get the game back on the ice.

With the season on the line, the NHL and the players’ association agreed on a tentative pact to end a 113-day lockout and save what was left of a fractured schedule.

Commissioner Gary Bettman and union executive director Donald Fehr ceased being adversaries and announced the deal while standing side by side near a wall toward the back of the negotiating room and showing a tinge of weariness.

“I want to thank Don Fehr,” Bettman said. “We went through a tough period, but it’s good to be at this point.”

A marathon negotiating session that lasted more than 16 hours, stretching from Saturday afternoon until just before dawn Sunday, produced a 10-year deal.

“We’ve got to dot a lot of Is and cross a lot of Ts,” Bettman said. “There’s still a lot of work to be done, but the basic details of the agreement have been agreed upon.”

Even players who turned into negotiators showed the strain of the long, difficult process.

“It was a battle,” said Winnipeg Jets defenseman Ron Hainsey, a key member of the union’s bargaining team. “Gary said a month ago it was a tough negotiation. That’s what it was.

“Players obviously would rather not have been here, but our focus now is to give the fans whatever it is – 48 games, 50 games – the most exciting season we can. The mood has been nervous for a while. You want to be playing. You want to be done with this.”

The collective bargaining agreement must be ratified by a majority of the league’s 30 owners and the union’s membership of approximately 740 players.

“Hopefully within a very few days the fans can get back to watching people who are skating, not the two of us,” Fehr said.

All schedule issues, including the length of the season, still need to be worked out. The NHL has models for 50- and 48-game seasons.

The original estimate was regular-season games could begin about eight days after a deal was reached. It is believed that all games will be played within the two respective conferences, but that also hasn’t been decided.

The players have been locked out since Sept. 16, the day after the previous agreement expired. That deal came after an extended lockout that wiped out the entire 2004-05 season.

“Any process like this is difficult. It can be long,” Fehr said.

Time was clearly a factor, with the sides facing a deadline of Thursday or Friday to reach a deal that would allow for a 48-game season to start a week later. Bettman had said the league could not allow a season of fewer than 48 games per team.

All games through Jan. 14, along with the All-Star game and the New Year’s Day Winter Classic had already been canceled, claiming more than 50 percent of the original schedule.

Without an agreement, the NHL faced the embarrassment of losing two seasons due to a labor dispute, something that has never happened in another North American sports league. The 2004-05 season was lost while the sides negotiated hockey’s first salary cap.

Under the new CBA, free-agent contracts will have a maximum length of seven years, but clubs can go to eight years to re-sign their own players. Each side can opt out of the deal after eight years.

The pension plan was “the centerpiece of the deal for the players,” Hainsey said.

The actual language of the pension plan still has to be written, but Hainsey added there is nothing substantial that needs to be fixed.

The players’ share of hockey-related income, a total that reached a record $3.3 billion last season, will drop from 57 percent to a 50-50 split. The salary cap for the upcoming season will be $70.2 million and will then go down to $64.3 million in the 2013-14 season.

All clubs must have a minimum payroll of $44 million.

The league had wanted next season’s cap to fall to $60 million, but agreed to an upper limit of $64.3 – the same amount as last season.

Inside individual player contracts, the salary can’t vary more than 35 percent year to year, and the final year can’t be more than 50 percent of the highest year.

A decision on whether NHL players will participate in the 2014 Olympics will be made apart from the CBA. While it is expected that players will take part, the IOC and the International Ice Hockey Federation will have discussions with the league and the union before the matter is settled.

After the sides stayed mostly apart for two days, following late-night talks that turned sour, federal mediator Scot Beckenbaugh worked virtually around the clock to get everyone back to the bargaining table.

This time it worked – early on the 113th day of the work stoppage.

George Cohen, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service director, called the deal “the successful culmination of a long and difficult road.”

“Of course, the agreement will pave the way for the professional players to return to the ice and for the owners to resume their business operations,” he said in a statement. “But the good news extends beyond the parties directly involved; fans throughout North America will have the opportunity to return to a favorite pastime and thousands of working men and women and small businesses will no longer be deprived of their livelihoods.”

Before the sides ever came to an understanding regarding a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenues, the NHL first tried to cut the players’ share from 57 percent to 46 percent.

A series of talks in the first couple of weeks of September don’t bring the sides any closer, and the board of governors gave Bettman the authority to lock out the players at midnight on Sept. 15.

There was optimism about an end for the lockout when the sides held talks in New York on Dec. 5-6. The roller coaster took the participants and the fans on an up-and-down thrill ride that ended in major disappointment.

Fehr painted a picture that the sides were close to a deal, and Bettman chastised him for getting people’s hopes up. Negotiations broke off, and the NHL announced it was pulling all offers off the table.

It wasn’t until Beckenbaugh’s determined effort in the final two days of the prolonged negotiations that the sides finally found common ground.

“We were making progress continually and to make a deal you have to continue to make progress until it’s over,” Hainsey said. “That finally happened today.”

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Comments (44)

lessoneleg
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 8:21pm
As a Canadian I’m ashamed to say our national past time sport is way beyond the common Canadian to afford or enjoy it. At one time every kid played road hockey, and the call of “CAR ! ” was the national anthem. We absolutely do not begrudge our world partners who enjoy ice hockey. But ice hockey today in many Canadian cities and towns is exclusively for Rich People. The bulk of quality Canadian kids do not play ice hockey any more, and its quite evident in the recent World Junior Championship Canada’s talent pool is dwindling down.
At one time a Dad could afford to take his kids to an NHL game, snacks, parking, and travel. It certaining didn’t take a weeks pay to head to one game. Today the NHL has priced itself out of the common Canadian family budget.
These millionaires & billionaires may have signed a contract. But they may have signed a death warrant on their Pro Sport.

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- KevINtampa
  Posted on January 7, 2013 at 1:44am
  @LESSONELEG
  
  I’m a giant Lightning fan. Actually just hockey in general, but the Lightning are my team. I have several friends in Toronto and a few from Montreal. When I tell them how much my season tickets are they nearly cry. Granted, I’m in the “nosebleeds” (in actuality even if the lower seats were cheaper I’d still want to be up top as I feel I can see the action develop better) and pay about $9.00 for a single seat per game. You can do the math on what that costs me per season. VERY AFFORDABLE. A Toronto buddy that attended a game with me in Tampa checked out what that would cost at MasterCard Centre… a comparable seat was about $65 per game.
  
  Granted I got locked in at a great rate during the Oren Koules and Len Barrie debacle here in Tampa (my season seat now sells for double to new buyers), but I can absolutely agree that $65 (and that was a season ticket discounted rate) is an absolutely ridiculous asking price in the upper tier “family” area. Unfortunately, scalpers would abuse lower ticket prices heavily even if the NHL teams in Canada lowered prices. So I wouldn’t blame the owners, I’d blame the Canadian fanaticism that draws them to pay outrageous prices to see hockey’s highest level perform.
  
  Bottom line is… Lessoneleg, you should do what I did and move your family to a warmer more affordable climate and cheer on Canadian stalwarts like Lecavalier, St. Louis, and Stamkos.
  
  GO BOLTS!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Susie
  Posted on January 7, 2013 at 7:35am
  As one of thousands whose income depends on the operation of an NHL arena I and my family have been devastated by this lock out. It is hard for me to be sympathetic to their multi-million dollar salary and benefits plight when not one of them gave a rat’s behind about us.
  They’re back, yes, but there will be no compensation for our losses and if they have lost fans we are the ones who will feel the brunt of that. Like all Canadians I am so weary of unions holding us hostage because of flat out greed.
  
  Report this comment
randycalifornia
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 6:46pm
Well I’ll have to admit that my wife and I do miss watching the Ducks………….although………….we started getting hooked on shows like Gold Rush and Call of the Wild Man, not to mention countless viewings of House Hunters. I don’t care how much money people make at whatever they do in life, everything’s worth what somebody’s willing to pay. That includes what fans are willing to pay for games, merchendise or whatever any particular team has to offer. We are glad that there will be some kind of NHL action this year. Maybe it will be a more intense run for the cup with only half a season. GO DUCKS!

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Master K
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 5:20pm
FINALLY… Life begins again! :D

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- FstEti
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 6:12pm
  Sorry, I couldn’t care less. Again, greed, both from owners AND players unions have helped to diminish fan support and enthusiasm. I’d rather watch junior hockey.
  
  Report this comment
Cabezon
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 1:56pm
What a banner year for all the minimum wage workers that clean the arenas and work concessions. I know down here in Tampa more than one restaurant near the arena has had to close its doors. There are several charities that wont be getting any money this year from concession sales.

I have yet to spend a dollar on pro “Sports.” The athletes are there to provide entertainment. if the players are getting millions, I can only imagine how much the owners are making. Good for them. Capitalism at its finest. But it is not my dollar in their pocket. Unless you count the dollars stolen from me by the government to subsidize arena building or tax breaks given to the teams.

F’em. let them burn

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- Trigus
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 2:43pm
  The fans will be charged more, concessions will go up, parking will go up, and our taxes will go up to support these franchises. Shut them down. Go support your local high school or college teams.
  
  Report this comment
- Dan_o
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 6:31pm
  Don’t start with colleges and their millions in TV contracts. Your taxes pay for them, they collect tuition and then millions in tv money, and they teach our kids to hate us. At least with pro sports you know they are a business.
  
  Separation of sport and state!
  
  Report this comment
- KevINtampa
  Posted on January 7, 2013 at 1:55am
  FACT:
  
  Hockey in Tampa is a loss leader for Jeff Vinik. What that means is: Jeff Vinik, the owner of the Lightning, doesn’t make money on hockey, he loses money. Where he makes money is on the event rights at the Forum. Concerts and other events and what not.
  
  Also, he gives well over $20,000,000 a season to local charities ($50,000 every home game), and continued that pace of giving during the lockout.
  
  So while concession donations may be down because of actions done by the league, the Lightning organization as a franchise has indeed gone way beyond its obligation to the city and our people. I hope everyone in Tampa is aware of just how fortunate we are to have such a first class organization here.
  
  Report this comment
dlivelli
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 1:54pm
I love hockey….I played hockey….I miss watchin hockey, both live and on tv….BUT….you guys are pathetic. When does an employee have the right to share in the profits of his employer? If you want to put your money on the line then you share according to your investment. I know how short a career you have but you get to do for pay what most others pay to do. What are you guys going to do to help the people that work the stadiums? They have been without work for how long? You want more and more but what are you willing to give to those that support what you do? Time to think of others….maybe you need to throw your union out with the trash…..what have they gotten you accept disdain? Is the money worth all the bad feelings from your fans?

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- SovereignSoul
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 2:45pm
  You talk like they went on strike. The owners locked them out. If the owners don’t want to pay the rates the best players in the world are asking they are free to go out and get players that will play for the prices owners want to pay. Simple as that. I know plenty of guys that would play in the NHL for $500 a week if that’s what owners want to pay.
  
  Report this comment
Turin
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 12:42pm
Yawn

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Southern Rebel
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 12:32pm
Where to start.
Bettman- FIRE HIS A$$! (3 lockouts during his tenure)
Fehr- Greedy SOB
Players- Greedy snivelling babies
Fans- screwed again! (at least owners/players took a huge financial hit this season)

I love the sport, the action, the speed, the skills, the whole dang thing, but I refuse to watch it on TV for a few weeks in protest.
Greatest game on the planet, but I will be reluctant to purchase any items from my team (Leafs) or go see a game (closest location to me is Raleigh, NC) in protest of this never ending abuse of the fans who make it all happen.

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- SovereignSoul
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 1:27pm
  You forgot to mention the poor owners; the ‘real’ victims in this whole affair!
  
  Report this comment
baer1966
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 11:51am
why in the name of all that is good and right do you need a pension plan when you are making a million dollars (or more) a year? The players are very greedy. They will ruin the sport and get what they deserve,,,,unemployment!!!!!!! Maybe when they actually work for a living they will appreciate what they had.

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- SovereignSoul
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 1:37pm
  Owners are free to hire whomever they wish. If they want cheaper players there are plenty around the country that will play for less.
  Just like any other worker, a player is going to take as much as the market will bear.
  
  Report this comment
Mandors
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 11:45am
Don’t watch. Don’t care. Let their broke league die.

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COFemale
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 11:23am
I hate hockey and now I hate it even more. As far as I am concerned it can cease to exist. These union greedy bastards need to lose their jobs. Really 3 million isn’t enough. I have no job and may have to sell my house and you whine about having 3 million. Talk about selfish bass-turds.

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- SovereignSoul
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 1:47pm
  Not sure where you live, but there are plenty of job opportunities for teachers, both secondary and elementary, especially in the inner cities where a dedicated individual could make a real difference. Are your skills and certifications current?
  
  Report this comment
PCs-PushComestoShove
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:48am
Push me i push back.

Love me some Hockey. Only place you go to see a game and a fight breaks out, or go to a fight and a hockey game breaks out.

I ask any hockey fan not to go to a game or even watch one on TV for the first week of the season to show what amounts to pennies compared to thier over bloated salaries.

Salary cap of 70 million thats an average of 3 million per player. Oh boo hoo i am not paid enough to play a GAME.

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- January6
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:55am
  Why do professional athletes have a union? It’s not as if they are being paid below minimum wage or working in sweat shops.
  
  Report this comment
- TROONORTH
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 11:11am
  “Why do professional athletes have a union?”
  
  Why does anyone have a union? Greed. More pay for less work.
  
  The players union is responsible for the escalating of ticket prices to the point that most people cannot afford to go to an NHL game. Gone are the days when kids could go and see actual NHL players and enjoy the excitement of being in a hockey palace at a real game.
  
  I hope nobody goes to an NHL game for the rest of the year. And as for television coverage, it is dead to me.
  
  Report this comment
lel2007
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:33am
So. Do we now jump straight to the Stanley Cup play-offs before the ice melts?

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ares338
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:13am
Who cares? Overpaid thugs with sticks. Kind of sounds like a union instead of a Hocky Team. They could hire the striking hockey puckers to whack non union people at strikes.

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Bronx
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:54am
As a Hockey fan I call bullcrap on this one, They could have resolved this months and months ago. Also the nerve of them for calling it a lost season. Please call it for what it really was , lost revenue.

But as Obama and his tit suckers would say “never let a good crisis go to waste”, while I couldn’t watch Hockey I now have a hold onto College football thanks to the NHL which will never be missed again.

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RecoveringRepublican
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:46am
What is this ‘Hockey’ of which you speak?

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- Advection
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:01am
  LOL
  
  That’s what I was wondering, too.
  
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- DZ-015
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 1:56pm
  Isn’t it the stuff what comes out the rear end of a horse?
  
  Report this comment
Mojoron
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:39am
Yawn.

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Brainmuffin
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:03am
More reach people wanting more money. Yawn.

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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 8:59am
.
4yr old grandson asked me what I was reading, and he said they sould have called the lock man……

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OlefromMN
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 8:56am
At least us MN fans can root for a team other than the Vikings for a short time. Has anybody seen a quarterback around here? We lost ours long ago and can’t seem to find one.

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- bikerr
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 12:34pm
  Fair weather fan,and bandwagon enthusiast.
  
  Report this comment
- SovereignSoul
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 1:24pm
  I’m looking for Joe Kapp’s phone number right now. If I find it I’ll pass it along.
  
  Report this comment
KennRann
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 8:15am
I know some will be happy about this but I could care less.

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SPOT_OF_TEA
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 8:10am
Most of the profits are made during the playoffs so you knew the season wouln’t be cancelled…..And the players are getting hard up so they are desperate to get back on the ice…..So now with all the playoff cash coming in without having to pay much in the players yearly salaries,the billionaires will have the extra money to pay the money the millionaires are demanding in their new contract.

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kickagrandma
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 8:01am
Just in time!!!! NOT!

Folks, we are being played now by the sports enterprises. Our feelings, thoughts, etc. are being directed by the “strikes/lockouts/whatever” to drive us to the games.

WHY?

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- dublinthewagons
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 8:17am
  To get our minds off a crumbling nation. Rome is burning. Bring on the games ( not )
  
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fande3rls
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 7:54am
Who cares

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dublinthewagons
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 7:50am
Now everybody can focus on the real world.

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bikerdogred1
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 7:22am
Close the season,to late to do much now,start fresh next season.

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- WildschweinJager
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 7:34am
  Diane Fine-Hitler-Stein says “Traumatic brain injury is causing these delays. Time to ban Hockey and those scary sticks”
  
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