Roosevelt weighs in on NHL lockout

Chicago is synonymous with passionate and devoted sports fans. The Chicago Blackhawks are no exception to the rule; however, the lockout has roadblocked the season thus far. The basics: the owners and National Hockey League Players’ Association, the union representing the players, are in disputes with each other about a collective bargaining agreement regarding salary caps and non-hockey revenue.

“We don’t want a lockout and we love to play the game”, said David Backes, St. Louis Blues captain, in a statement from an NHLPA video.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly admitted last Friday that the regular season games could be at risk for cancellation if the NHLPA and National Hockey League could not come to terms on several core issues in CBA talks, according to an SBNation article.

“We really need to hear from the Players’ Association on those,” Daly said, according to NHL.com, when asked why the sides can’t get to a discussion on those issues. “Again, we need some kind of sign that they’re prepared to compromise their economic position because we haven’t had that since Aug. 14. We’ll see if we get there.”

Mike Cassidy, director of intercollegiate athletics at Roosevelt, weighed in on the lockout and said the disagreement between the owners and players has gotten out of hand. The die-hard fans suffer the most, one side won’t give in easily, and lower leagues will reap the benefits.

“Nothing is going to happen until it has to happen, and, with any negotiations, it is really about leverage and who can stare down the other side first. Ultimately there will have to be a meeting in the middle and which side will end up giving in more,” said Cassidy.

Chicago hockey fans can follow the minor league Chicago Wolves if the lockout continues into the season. That could lead to higher attendance and more qualified players.

Courtney Bauman, a media studies undergraduate student, said the lockout will mostly affect fans, and, without the players, there wouldn’t be a league. She also said NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman, should not forget that fans might not return.

“They need to get this figured out so we’ll have a season, and they really need to work on getting Bettman replaced,” said Bauman.

Cassidy and Bauman both mentioned that eventually the lockout has to end because fans want to attend and enjoy hockey games.

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