How many days of rain before winter.These endless wet hours have got me dreaming,I know what your thinking,wet dreams.A quick glance at the calender tells me were so much closer than one might think.About fifty more repetitive reads left to go.Yeah,I'm as guilty as any,what with my 'topical reposts',but lord its hard to ride the high road when all anybody here seems to care about is predictions and T&A.
Well,I was rereading some old newspapers that are destined to start the wood stove at camp this winter;man,can't wait for ice fishing to commence,when I came across an article about the NHLPA and their efforts to scare the owners straight.Seems despite endless hours negotiating in good faith neither side can bring themselves to trust the other.
The union,so much so,they have hired a forensic accountant to dissect the 30 NHL teams and companies that own them.You see in the new era of revenue sharing, total company assets and disclosure of all aspects of related business are now under scrutiny.Hence the 'Godfather' of the forensic accounting industry is hired to consult.
Yeah,the 'Godfather',you know,his name is Bob,not Vito,but as far as clout goes this guy has got it in spades.Bob Lindquist is revered around the world as the best in his field.Get this for a resume.Don-Bob has investigated the likes of Bre-X minerals and was instrumental in uncovering the largest mining swindle of public money in mining history.He tackled the World Bank and their conflict of interests and fraudulent global loans,perhaps most impressive ,he spear headed an investigation into Swiss Banks that held dormant accounts of Holocaust victims.The latter investigation resulted in over a billion dollar settlement and a 'greater willingness' of major Swiss Banks to cooperate in the pursuit of monies laundered by criminals.
So.What ever will these owners do when they see this guy coming for dinner?Aside from sh!t their pants,I say clean up their act.Wouldn't you?Heres the thing.Roughly 55% of overall league revenues are earmarked for salaries.The union does not trust the league is doing as they preach,not fessing up all their hockey related revenue. For example;some companies own the team and the home arena yet make claims revenue from the latter does not fall into guidelines,nothing to do with their 'NHL investment'.The union claims that kind of 'wiggle' room has been eliminated in the new CBA and they are making the owners 'an offer they can't refuse'.Tow the line or pay the price anyway.
You know,when I read this stuff it makes me wonder if the game will ever be simple again.Will it ever be enough just to play for the love of hockey? Or,is it totally lost to the money.
One more sleep,than forty-nine more to go.Thats as high a number as I can bring myself to care about today.
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1 comment:
Great work Ed
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