Bettman, as Eschew points out, takes the crown as worst chief executive in any sport in history. His ridiculous exercise in machismo with the player's union has resulted in him being able to proudly announce the NHL's place in history as the first major sport to loose an entire season due to labour unrest. It became clear in December that Bettman and the owners had no intention of negotiating in good faith or reaching any kind of compromise, and they have, under Bettman's leadership taken their brinksmanship, scorched-earth policy to its conclusion. The possibility of an NHL season in 2005-2006 is by no means secure, and the league may have opened the doors to a new league, or raiding from deep pocketed enterpreneurs in Europe. Under Bettman's so-called leadership the league expanded into marginal (or worse) markets, and allowed absurdist management in a number of major markets to run unchecked. When the bill came due, Bettman and his cronies expected it to be paid by the players, with no consequences to themselves. Normally, in sports labour disputes I think the blame is about 50-50, but here it's 90-10 the fault of management. UPDATE: The long term fallout of this, depending on its resolution, may have some impact on other major sports. Basketball and hockey are closely linked (about 8 owners have a team in the NHL and the NBA, and more than a dozen share a building, besides which Bettman comes from the NBA). The NHL owners demands are a more extreme version of the salary cap in the NBA, and you can bet that if the result of the hockey lockout is the destruction of the NHL players association and the imposition of the league's demands, the NBA will seriously consider going down the same road. The players caved in the last NBA labour dispute, and it's likely the owners will be coming back looking for more next time. The NBA players association knows that, and has been lending support to the hockey players. The lessons learned, by both sides, in whatever ultimately results from the NHL lockout, will be carried over into other sports. No one cares? Outside of Canada and a few cities in the North East, probably not. Give it a couple of years, and I fear this will be repeated in some form in other sports. Let's see who cares then.

You joke and trivialize this because hockey somehow ceases to be relevant to you. But go tell that to people who live in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Detroit, Philadelphia, and yes, even Tampa Bay. These fans are despondent. In Philly, the Flyers are a much bigger deal than the Sixers, and even the Phillies. Hockey is now experiencing their self-made nuclear dawn. With Bettman and Goodenow, I don't see this getting resolved next year either. I predict a total demise of the NHL, to be replaced by a new league (with about 16 teams), made up of the original six NHL teams, more Canadian teams in towns like Winnipeg and Quebec City, and select cities in the U.S. that can truly support it, like Philadelphia, and Minnesota. No more franchises in Atlanta, Florida, LA, or Mayberry North Carolina. The league will have rules that will open up play just like those wild 7-5 games we saw in the 1980s. You heard it here.

That's a pretty chilling analysis by irishgit, but it sounds very feasible. I live in a city that had an NHL frnachise but lost it. Although there are a few hold outs who want the NHL to come back, most people felt that the ticket prices were exorbitant and most of the teams that came through were mediocre. We currently have a successful AHL franchise that is drawing well and the hockey is entertaining. Furthermore, I was out on the weekend and there was a hockey game going on pretty much every outdoor rink in city. Let the millionaire players and owners take two seasons off. Until they settle, I'll be out playing pick-up with my friends.

(zzz)

This is becoming an annual event, the NHL either threatens or cancels the season making it a non event. If they had a network contract and if all the teams were in the black I could see the owners playing hardball. As neither is the case it is mind numbing that they do this to the league and the sport. Its not like there is not any competition out there and the sport is not as popular as it could be. Its a loose, loose for all involved, especially the fans.

Its amazing how much this doesn't matter in the US. If any of the other 3 major sports leagues were to cancel a season, it would be huge news, but very few people seem to care about this.

A pity. But, in a year, there will be thrilling Men's and Women's International Hockey as part of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics!!

If there has ever been a more incompetent commissioner of any sport, at any time in history, I couldn't name it. I understand the owners all say, Greedy players! The players all say, Greedy owners! Whose job is it to keep both sides working and compromising for THE GOOD OF THE GAME? I'm not big on this phrase, but what an idiot!

I love Commissioner Bettman's letter to the fans regarding the strike. He apologizes to the games loyal fans and appreciates their patience. These loyal and passionate fans are the ones who should be striking at the ever-skyrocketing ticket prices to make owners rich and pay 1.5 million dollar player salaries. These fans - many of whom scrape by just to pay their bills - will pay $60 a ticket to watch a these guys play a game to make a heck of a living. The few loyal fans of the game left should boycott next season, if the union and owners have even reached an agreement by then.

depends. cancel Baseball or Football for the season, sure. but this sport was rapidly losing clout. the owners and players should've realized this and worked harder to reach a solution. might not be a 2005-2006 season either.

I guess it's an important story, if for nothing else, because of the monumental stupidity and self sabotage involved. As the nation's weakest major professional sports league (both in terms of finances and popularity), the NHL just didn't have the luxury of taking a season off and pissing off its already tiny fan base. I just can't imagine what these folks are thinking. Owners and players of the NFL have just fastracked themselves to irrelevance.