Labor talks between NHL and players

The newspaper reports indicate that most recent negotiations between NHL Players’ Association and the NHL in New York have been broken off without any agreements between the two parties. The existing bargaining agreements are due to expire on September 15, 2012 and it creates an uncertainty about the upcoming season. This is the fourth labor dispute within the last 20 years. Talk between the two parties began in late June and so far, parties are not even closer to making a deal. If no agreements are made before the expiration deadline, some training camps may be in jeopardy. The regular season is scheduled to start on October 11, 2012.

The NHL is asking the players to cut the hockey revenue share from 57 to 43 percent and later the NHL up the players share to 46 percent over six year period. The NHL Players Association amended its original proposal to restructure fourth and final year. The Players Association is willing to give up revenue between $465 million to $600 million over the first three years as long as the current system put in place at the fourth year. Players are asking why they have to bear the burden when the NHL made $3.1 billion during the last season.