Well-known hockey writer Ken Campbell of The Hockey News is reporting that Donald Fehr, former executive director of the MLBPA (1986-2009), will continue running the NHL Players Association through the next round of collective bargaining agreement talks in 2012.
According to Campbell, “highly placed” sources from both the NHL and NHLPA told The Hockey News Fehr has decided to stay on under the position of interim executive director. The retired former MLBPA head will groom a successor while guiding the union through CBA talks.
But who will be that successor? After all, Fehr is in his 60s. Campbell says it could be one of former NHL players Chris Chelios or Mathieu Schneider.
Fehr’s first few months, Campbell says, have been a major success. He impressed agents in March, then “blew away” the executive committee, which consists of 30 player representatives. It is believed that Fehr could be officially in place as interim executive director by the time the players hold their North American meetings July 13-14.
Here is Campbell’s analysis of Fehr’s reported new position:
“Let’s deal first of all with what it means to the NHLPA. This corner finds it interesting the PA seems ready to coronate Fehr – and that is in no way a comment on Fehr’s integrity, which is apparently beyond reproach. But you’d think an organization that has been as rife with dysfunction and as burned by its hiring process as the NHLPA would not be eager to simply hand the job to anyone, Fehr included.
"And let’s not forget Fehr is currently working on the constitution and if that isn’t a conflict of interest, it certainly creates the perception of one. From the people I’ve spoken to about this, Fehr has attained almost god-like status in the NHLPA and is seen as the savior who will deliver the union from the abyss. That, in and of itself, presents more than a few potential pitfalls.”
OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK
(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)
Inside The Numbers: Second Interleague Attendance 2010
Kobritz: Rays Need to Move to Greener Pastures
Tickets For Strasburg Start Against Braves Less Than Avg. on Resale Market
Earlier this week, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players Association was extended through 2011-12. Part of the deal is an increased salary cap, which we speculated to be in the $58 million range. Turns out, and happily so for the Chicago Blackhawks and friends with cap problems, the cap will be set at $59.4 million according to ProHockey Talk. The cap also has a salary floor, which will be set at $43.4 million.
The increased cap and floor can be a gift and a curse for NHL franchises. Some, like Chicago and Philadelphia, will be able to retain stars or even spend here and there, but franchises who had trouble making money will now have to spend more to reach the floor number. The cap is based on overall league revenue, not individual teams. So, if the league is thriving but some extranious teams such as the Atlanta Thrashers or Florida Panthers are barely staying afloat with low salaries, this raise could potentially put their bottom line farther in the red.
Joe Yerden of ProHockey Talk notes that the league's cap was $39 million just five years ago. This, along with TV ratings, web hits and general buzz all tell us the league as a whole is thriving. Yet, the struggles of the Phoenix Coyotes sale along with several other teams being sold or on the brink seem to constantly reaffirm the long-standing belief that expansion has and will continue to harm the NHL.
OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK
(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)
ESPN Monday Night Baseball to Feature Stephen Strasburg Start
Strasburg Game Against Royals First to Sell Below Nationals Avg. Resale Price
Father’s Day Attendance in MLB Shows Mixed Results
Brown: The Brilliance of the Texas Rangers Ruling
Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
Whether they go No. 1 or No. 2 apparently doesn’t matter to two major NHL suppliers. Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, two prospects expected to be taken with the first two spots in the NHL draft, have signed deals with Easton Hockey and Bauer respectively.
According to TSN writer Wayne Karl, both companies said they got their man. Hall, representing Easton Hockey will be a highlight in Easton’s “Confidence is everything,” campaign. He will also wear Easton gear while being involved in future equipment designs. Other’s signed with Easton include Henrik Zetterberg and Mike Cammalleri.
Seguin agreed to wear Bauer equipment on-ice beginning next season. He will also work with the company’s development team to contribute to future products. He will also be used in future global marketing efforts joining other young stars such as Patrick Kane and Steven Stamkos.
“Tyler is obviously one of the top young players in the world,” Kevin Davis, president and CEO of Bauer Hockey told TSN. “More importantly, he is a player who embodies everything that has made Bauer the number one brand in hockey.”
Last year top draft picks John Tavares and No. 2 pick Victor Hedman signed deals with Reebok-CCM before being selected by the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning. Another famous top pick Sidney Crosby signed with Reebok-CCM while still playing for Ridmouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Crosby-Reebok deal was worth a reported $500,000. It has yet to be reported how much Hall and Seguin’s deals are worth.
OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK
(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)
Brown: The Brilliance of the Texas Rangers Ruling
Marlins Fire Fredi Gonzalez and Two Coaches
Key Creditors in Texas Rangers Bankruptcy Case Issue Statement on Tuesday's Ruling
Greenberg/Ryan Group Issues Statement on Bankruptcy Texas Rangers Ruling
Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
The NHLPA voted Tuesday to extend the current Collective Bargaining Agreement through the 2011-12 season and to approve a five percent growth on the salary cap. The cap will rise from $56.6 million to around $58.8 million according to ProHockey Talk. The cap increase will benefit the NHLPA by giving teams a little more to spend on free agents. The extension gives the league another year to convince super-negotiator Donald Fehr to lead them into CBA battle.
The NHLPA released this statement: "The NHLPA is pleased to announce to hockey fans that the CBA will remain in effect through the 2011-12 season. It is apparent through the operation of the CBA that there are a number of issues that require serious examination. The NHLPA is currently reviewing these issues and will be forming a negotiating committee in the coming months in order to address these matters."
The Executive Board's decision will also ensure that NHL Clubs have the ability to use the Performance Bonus Cushion provision in the CBA for contracts in the 2010-11 season. You can read a copy of the NHL CBA here
OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK
(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)
Judge's Ruling in Texas Rangers Bankruptcy Case Could Pave Way for Lenders to Block Sale
A's Pitcher Dallas Braden to be Featured on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
Setting the Table? Judge in Texas Rangers Case Approves Disclosure Statement
For the First Time, Tampa Bay Rays Signal That They Could Move Outside of Region
Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
After months of discussion over what type of penalty should be assessed for head hits, the NHL’s competition committee has recommended that the league’s referees will be given the power to hand out major penalties for hits to the head.
The 10-man group agreed on the new penalty during a meeting at the NHL’s Toronto office Friday, then sent it to the league’s board of governors, who will meet next week in Los Angeles and give its final recommendation.
According to USA Today the specific wording of the new penalty was not disclosed but former Detroit Red Wing Brendan Shanahan said head hits will be subject to a major penalty and game misconduct, as well as supplemental discipline.
Several brutal, yet legal, head hits led to increasing pressure on the committee and the NHL to define an illegal hit and assign a penalty. The Philadelphia Flyers’ captain Mike Richards put a nasty hit on David Booth in October of the 2009-’10 season, then in March Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke crushed Boston Bruins’ Marc Savard, both ugly and costly, neither illegal.
After Cooke’s hit on Savard, 30 general managers proposed a penalty for blineside hits. The union could have enacted the penalty immediately, but elected to have the competition committee review the matter. The resolution for the remainder of 2009-’10 was to subject head hits to post-game punishments such as suspension and fine.
Mathieu Schneider, one of the five players on the committee told USA Today an in-game fine is another step toward perfecting a game still trying to find itself post-lockout. “"I think things have happened since the lockout, since the rule changes, that were probably unforeseen," Schneider said. "That has made it necessary to change certain rules. The game is much faster, the collisions are taking place at higher speeds.”
OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK
(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)
Strasburg's Second Start at Nationals Park Seeing Ticket Resale Price Approx. Half of Debut
Judge Expected to Rule in Texas Rangers Bankruptcy Case on Tuesday
Rare Documents: MLB Constitution and By-Laws Now Available Online
Kansas City Royals Officially Awarded 2012 MLB All-Star Game
Chuck Greenberg Pleased with Texas Rangers Bankruptcy Hearing
Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
Former Boston Bruins star Cam Neely, who was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005, will be promoted to president of the Bruins according to Boston.com.
Owner Jeremy Jacobs, principal Charlie Jacobs, senior adviser to the owner Harry Sinden and general manager Peter Chiarelli were in attendance for the team’s press conference Wednesday to announce Neely as team president. The Hall of Famer was hired in Sept. 2007 as vice president and has been involved in hockey operations as an adviser to Chiarelli. He also worked with Charlie Jacobs on the business side of operations. The role of president has been open since Sinden became adviser to the owner in 2006.
"Well when I was first offered the position to join the team it took me a while to decide to do it. I certainly welcomed the challenge after I decided to do it," Neely said. "The biggest thing for me was really the commitment that I saw from our ownership group which, at times, everybody had questioned, but they certainly have given our general manager the resources to put a product on the ice that competes for the Stanley Cup and you can see how things have changed because of that.
The Bruins were eliminated from the playoffs this season after letting a 3-0 series lead against the Philadelphia Flyers slip away. The timing is good for Neely, who will be at the front of the War Room during the NHL draft in late June. The Bruins have the No. 2 overall pick.
OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK
(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)
Judge Expected to Rule in Texas Rangers Bankruptcy Case on Tuesday
Rare Documents: MLB Constitution and By-Laws Now Available Online
Kansas City Royals Officially Awarded 2012 MLB All-Star Game
Chuck Greenberg Pleased with Texas Rangers Bankruptcy Hearing
Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday that the one and only bidder for the Phoenix Coyotes, Ice Edge Holdings, met with NHL officials in New York City Tuesday to discuss the group’s offer. Commissioner Gary Bettman was part of the meeting, spokesman Robert Johnson told the Arizona Republic.
The NHL is expected to examine Ice Edge’s proposal before team owners vote. Last week, the Glendale City Council approved a memorandum of understanding for Ice Edge to purchase Jobing.com Arena. Ice Edge must prove to the city it has the financing to complete the purchase of the team by Friday. The Associated Press reported Thursday that Ice Edge said it has provided proof that it has the financing to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes. But, less than two weeks ago chief operating officer of Ice Edge Daryl Jones told Canadian Media financing may be difficult.
If Ice Edge does not meet the deadline, the city of Glendale would likely re-open negotiations with other groups interesting in purchasing the team. The NHL has given Glendale until the end of 2010 to complete a deal with a future owner. The extension was given after the city agreed to cover $25 million in losses the NHL incurred while having control of the team.
OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK
(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)
Judge Expected to Rule in Texas Rangers Bankruptcy Case on Tuesday
Rare Documents: MLB Constitution and By-Laws Now Available Online
Kansas City Royals Officially Awarded 2012 MLB All-Star Game
Chuck Greenberg Pleased with Texas Rangers Bankruptcy Hearing
Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the Glendale City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a memorandum of understanding from Ice Edge Holdings toward purchasing the Phoenix Coyotes and keeping the team at Jobing.com Arena.
The memorandum gives Ice Edge exclusive negotiating rights for a new arena lease over the next 60 days. A new lease for the arena is a necessary step toward buying the team from its current owner, the NHL. The league still has to approve the memorandum.
The Phoenix Coyotes sale saga has seen everything from a fallout with a group headed by Chicago sports mogul Jerry Reinsdorf (after the commissioner endorsed the deal) to an Ice Edge back out. Now only one question remains: Can Ice Edge pay for the team and arena?
According to the Phoenix Business Journal, the same day the city council approved the memorandum, Daryl Jones, who is chief operating officer of Ice Edge, told Canadian media that financing the purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes may be difficult. Jones said that even after the city approves a lease deal, the deal still might not happen. Ice Edge will have to prove financing within 10 days of Tuesday, the day the lease was approved.
The Phoenix Business Journal also reported that if this last-ditch deal falls through with Ice Edge, the team will likely be sold to an owner that will move the team back to Winnipeg. The AP story also noted that the team hasn’t turned a profit since moving to Phoenix in 1996, so if Ice Edge doesn’t have the money now, they are fooling themselves if they think they will get it from the team. The Coyotes did not sell out a single playoff game in this year’s series vs. Detroit.
OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK
(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)
The Biz of Baseball Launches "Stephen Strasburg Tracker"
Red Sox Unveil Statue Dedicated to 'Teammates' Doerr, Williams, Pesky, and DiMaggio
Rookie Jayson Heyward Jumps from Fifth to Second in NL Outfielder Voting for All-Star Game
Ticket Prices for Stephen Strasburg Debut Skyrocket on Resale Market
Day 1 of 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft Completed, Listing of All 50 Players
Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
Well-known hockey writer Ken Campbell of The Hockey News is reporting that Donald Fehr, former executive director of the MLBPA (1986-2009), will continue running the NHL Players Association through the next round of collective bargaining agreement talks in 2012.
Earlier this week, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players Association was extended through 2011-12. Part of the deal is an increased salary cap, which we speculated to be in the $58 million range. Turns out, and happily so for the Chicago Blackhawks and friends with cap problems, the cap will be set at $59.4 million according to 
