Believe it or not, but http://www.foxsports.com has done a excellent job covering the NHL lockout and these so called weekly circle jerks or labor negoiations. This was posted 3 hours ago.

Actual progress may have been made
Spector / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 3 hours ago



The New York Post reported on Sunday that a settlement may be getting closer in the ongoing labor dispute between the NHL and the NHLPA.

This may not come as earth-shattering news to hockey fans weary of the NHL lockout. Press releases from both sides and media reports over the past several weeks have reported unspecified progress but little else.
The Post story, however, differed in that it laid out how certain issues may be addressed in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement.

According to the paper, a salary cap range, determined by league revenues, could start from a "floor" of $24 - $28 million and a ceiling of $34 - $38 million.

That would mean those cap ranges may fluctuate depending on revenues from year to year.

The report also suggested the PA's December 9th rollback proposal would be included, as well as the lowering of the qualification age for unrestricted free agency to 30 for starters and then possibly dropping to 28 or 29 over the life of the agreement.

In addition, there could be minor adjustments to salary arbitration, based upon a more "player-protective" union proposal than those previously proposed by the league. Qualifying offers for restricted free agents could run from 100 percent to players earning over $1 million per season to up to 110 percent for those earning under $1 million.

It's known that both sides have been working on an agreed system of determination and reportage of revenues. The Post reported that it's undetermined if this agreement will feature "the league-preferred flat percentage-of-the-gross or on the floating-cap-range structure proposed by the union," but the PA may opt for whichever deal has "the most upside" once the determination of revenues is agreed upon.

Finally, the paper noted that players' costs, revenue sharing and the status of 2004-05 contracts still remain to be determined.

To date there's been no reaction from either side, but what makes it significant is that the story's author, Larry Brooks, is considered to have a direct pipeline of information from the NHLPA hierarchy.

The NHLPA has warned against the "cautious optimism" of league spokesmen for some time. To have a player supporter like Brooks reporting a settlement may be close, laying out heretofore unknown specifics of what might appears in the next CBA, suggests a shift of thinking by the PA brain trust.


Out of option
That change couldn't come at a more opportune time, considering ESPN has apparently decided not to pick up the option year on their contract with the NHL.

This doesn't necessarily mean the network is finished with the NHL, but instead may seek a new, cheaper deal. Indeed, the league may spin this as inevitable since the contract was due to expire in a year anyway and may express confidence in getting a new deal with ESPN for next season.

It's also possible that the league could seek to negotiate a contract with another network, with some speculation in the blogosphere that Spike TV might be interested now that they've lost the contract to televise WWE wrestling.

Even without national exposure, the league could look to increasing regional exposure via cable giants like Comcast and Cablevision or by the standing up of regional sports or specialty cable networks. Given the limited exposure with ESPN in recent years and with their current deal with NBC, this may be a better route for the league in the short term.

Still, it cannot be glossed over that losing a national television contract with a major sports channel is bad news for a pro sports league like the National Hockey League.

Imagine the shock and outrage of American sports fans if ESPN were to drop the NBA or the NFL or MLB.

It wouldn't happen, of course, because those leagues are extremely popular. This news, however, only further highlights how far off the radar the NHL is slipping in the consciousness of American sports fans.

Whenever it finally returns to action, the NHL will be on American television in some form, but it won't see the deals like the five-year, $600 million package it once had with ABC and ESPN for some time.

Hockey is an exciting game, arguably the most exciting professional sport in North America, but the distinctive lack of that element in recent years has contributed to sagging television ratings.

Ratings equal revenue, and that's going to put more pressure on the league and the players association to come up with ways to improve both under the new CBA.

At home in Prince Edward Island, Canada, he's known as Lyle Richardson. But around these parts, he's known as Spector, FOXSports.com's Prince of Pucks. Check in with Spector for the latest NHL rumors from around the league and buy his book.

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*brain explodes*

There have been rumours on TSN and the other Canadian sport networks that they were making significant progress, but this is great. I've believed all along that they would get it done... though I had faith that they would save last season, so that really says nothing...

Either way, this is some really good news.

ugh, i was getting excited over this until i saw larry brooks name attached to it...

I'll believe it when something's been signed.