I vented on Twitter Friday morning that it’s utterly insane that this lockout is still happening.
The league says Don Fehr refuses to make a deal. The NHLPA says Gary Bettman is intent on crushing the players’ union, not making a fair deal.
Enough already.
Let’s focus on the people that really matter in this ridiculous labor impasse: those who foot the bill year in and year out.
This blog is dedicated the folks who haven’t been invited to CBA meetings and who don’t get to voice their opinion on TV.
The fans get a voice here:
@real_espnlebrun I don't plan on purchasing tickets whenever the season starts. Probably won't next season either....
— Blues Hockey Podcast (@BluesHockeyPodc) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I have given @nhl and @nhlpa until Dec 1 to get a deal done. If not, I will never watch hockey again. It will hurt. A lot.
— Jason Cassidy (@jaybone1978) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I have a black and orange ribbon on my car that says "Save my hockey!" from the last lockout, I am about to take it off.
— John Laconca (@Laconca) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun fans are middle fingers with small wallets and long memories.
— Arlin Ginther (@ArlinGinther) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun will never pay to go to another game
— GJ Courville (@GJCourville) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun2b honest, when hockey finally comes back I'll watch on tv. Will NOT buy anymore tix, jerseys or merch tho. Not after this
— Dammit (@DogmataDeke) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I just canceled my season tickets and I will not get them again. I wish others would do the same and stick it to the league
— Steve Cassel (@cassel191919) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun My anger was replaced by apathy long before this latest outrage. #notmissinghockey #formerdiehard
— David Coffey (@Dtcoff) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun here's the thing: my heart wants to come back. my head doesn't. I am going to really let my head have a go at it this time.
— curtisandrews (@curtisandrews) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I feel like a toddler who is upset but they just can't verbalize it so they sit there even more frustrated. #imisshockey
— Thomas Scott (@scottischicago) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I removed my name from the pens season ticket list. Pens say a lot are. Don't Want to got thru this every 6 years
— Jim (@jssst12) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun as a moderate fan of the game (and the Caps), I've become so turned off that I don't know if/when I'll be interested again.
— S. Biscuit (@StankyBiscuit) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I think both parties under estimate how quicky people move in this day and age
— Steve N (@KINGS1973) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun what I fear is that everytime a new CBA needs to be done there's going to be a lockout.
— Amber Reynolds (@ZijaFanatik105) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I'll watch on TV when they come back - but buy tickets?Not for a long long time.
— Russ Andolina (@rjandolina) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun told all my family NOT to buy me anything NHL related for Christmas.#SocksForTheWin
— Ferg(@Ferg__) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun Called yesterday and took my name off of the Hawks season ticket waiting list.#notgettingmy$$
— Steve Racine (@poker_hockey) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I know I'll come back to it in time, but no season this year means I won't buy anything NHL in 1st season back. #NHLboycott
— Kyle Ailinger (@KAilinger) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun i say thank you pierre for finally seeing it from a fans eye view, this time its not going to be easy to forgive & forget
— enio bisecco (@Bisecco11) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun You can't expect fans to keep coming back to a league that has a lockout everytime it's CBA is up
— Robert Schneider (@SchneiderSez) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun If the season is lost...so is my 2300 per season...forever maybe
— Tony Flores (@JDandTurkelton) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun Will rebound here in MTL/Tor. What about Fla,Nash,Tpa or Columbus. Missing it but not craving it. Life goes on.
— J.B. (@montreal57) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun Amen to that! I am really peeved this time. I don't want a watered-down season. My kids are confused & missing it. Sad
— Dan Levine (@DBL1216) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun The last lockout was hard for me to get through...This time, I really do not care... #NFLSalute
— MMarcelloni (@MMarcelloni) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun $650m lost so far. At what point in the lockout do both sides lose more than the difference they'refighting over?
— Tim Horton (@timothy_horton) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun It will be exponentially worse this time around. I'm a hardcore fan and I'm boycotting when (if?) it starts up #fanlockout
— Cory Ingjaldson (@cory_ingjaldson) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I know a few people that really jumped on the #NYR playoff bandwagon last spring. They could care less now. #LostMomentum
— Chris Gatti (@cwgatti) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun As a die hard #RedWings & @nhl fan of 30 years I'm disgusted &done. I can't support them or spend $ on this league anymore.
— TRV (@xTRVx) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun US economy is a lot worse then it was 7 years ago. The average fan cant afford to go to a game, they will spend $ elsewhere
— Tristateconcerts.com (@tristateconcert) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I'm gonna watch my Sens, but there is NO WAY I'm paying for anything. Ever. No jerseys. No hats. No NHL Network. Nothing.
— Eamon O'Flynn (@EamonOFlynn) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun It's also more frustrating this time because with social media we are constantly reminded. Permanent damage has been done.
— Jim Patrick (@jjfitz77) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun Already canceled 2 of 4 @nyrangersseats, questioning the other 2 and really has me thinking on how long I may stay away
— Michael Mazal (@Michael99420) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun they are alienating the hardcore fans this time. We accepted it last time. Not again.
— Dudgee (@Dudgee) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun lockout is like pausing a videogame w/o saving, sooner or later the power will go out and you have to start over
— Rockford White(@RockfordWhite) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun 35 years of being an NHL fan, in several markets, from Dionne to Stamkos. I may very well not come back after this.
— Peter Gilson (@Gilsonhockey) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun so true. I'm a young fan, grew to love the Blackhawks in 08/09. Can't promise I'll come back w/ same enthusiasm.
— Benjamin Garmoe (@bengarmoe) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun devil season ticket holder since 93. im done with the nhl. ill just go watch local youth hockey.
— Phil Osophy (@Phillip_Osophy) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun Full season lockout = lose me as a fan.
— Brian Georgievski (@brimau5) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun I'm a Blackhawks fan in DC. I'm going to Chicago in two weeks and will be buying zero NHL merchandise. I have self-respect.
— RollingDoughnut (@RollingDoughnut) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun last time I couldn't wait to come back. This time ill come back, but with a newfound resentment for the league and players.
— Benjamin(@BENT0B0X) November 16, 2012
@real_espnlebrun The holidays keep people busy thru new years and then there is superbowl and spring training. love hockey but wont miss it
— Jaclyn Renee (@dubnoxious) November 16, 2012
I understand the complexities of this negotiation. And I get both sides’ positions. But there also has to be a reality check. This league cannot afford another year without hockey. But the players better know the league will in fact do it again unless there's a deal owners can live with. The long-term damage from this lockout is already bad enough. It’s time for a true, meaningful negotiation. Stop the bleeding.