Comments on: This is a Garage League and Other Lockout Lessons

By: serpent

serpent — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:57:00 +0000

Oh, yeah!! Along with ian and the Bunch, he could turn this NHL into a legitimate entity in the sporting world instead of the class clown Bettman’s made it.

By: Peter Hassett

Peter Hassett — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 04:58:00 +0000

I not-at-all-humbly accept this job offer. Now help me swim in my money bin.

By: Rhino40

Rhino40 — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 04:50:00 +0000

Note to NHL: Peter Hassett for Commissioner. Get it done.

By: Peter Hassett

Peter Hassett — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:12:00 +0000

Thanks.

I’d love to hear his side of the story and read a statement from him, but I don’t think we’ll get it because of the rules against it. And you’re right that Monumental is accountable in some respects to fans, but I think their accountability to stakeholders is stronger.

I’m not trying to quash criticism, but I don’t think that we can have a fair discussion about it if the person in question can’t actually speak for himself substantively.

Anyway, good points.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:06:00 +0000

Respectfully disagree with a couple points:

“He’s not really in a position to defend himself, which is fine, because we’re not really in a position to give him a hard time about it.” That statement is absolutely wrong in my opinion. Who then to hold the team/owners accountable if not the fans? Stakeholders shouldn’t pass that buck because the League wants to control the public message.

“Leonsis has the benefit of the doubt.” Again, just wrong in my opinion. Ted (and Monumental S&E) get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to team operations and personnel decisions, but duch does not extend to league operations. They don’t and cannot be given a pass for enabling (if such is accurate) the League to push to the brink of another (completely) lost season.

As a fan, I would love nothing more than to read a message from ownership describing why they chose the position they did, and what their role was in the lockout. Accountability through transparency. A message all owners should abide.

By: Peter Hassett

Peter Hassett — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:12:00 +0000

Haha. Thanks.

I’ll let you know about party time.

By: Peter Hassett

Peter Hassett — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:10:00 +0000

Awesome. Thanks for the report! I hope he gets a phone call in the next few days.

By: Rhino40

Rhino40 — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 04:56:00 +0000

What did I get wrong?

Not a thing Peter. Not one. Damn. Thing.

In fact, this is one of your best yet, and that’s saying something.

So when we MAKE PAЯTY again?

Peace,

Das Rhino

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 01:03:00 +0000

I’m not totally with you on “no boycott”. I am not a season ticket holder (though was entertaining a proposal to buy into a shared package this summer), so maybe my persective is different but I cannot imagine willingly giving the league or Ted a penny of my money ever again. Sadly, those $8 beers and $10 burgers are all profit for Ted. Leave some cash in the tip jar if you feel for the workers but fill up at area establishments who appreciate your patronage, not spit on it.

Me myself? Not going in on the tickets. Not worth it after this. If I go to a game in person (huge if at this point, I have a hard time picturing having fun at one), it’ll be on tickets own at my local pub trivia or given my one of my STH friends. And I wouldn’t be able to choke down a beer if I tried. What I *will* do is watch the games at my local pub, which does not take my busniess for granted, is far more reasonably priced and doesn’t line the pockets of someone who is willing to ruin hockey for everyone.

By: KatieLyn7337

KatieLyn7337 — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:50:00 +0000

While I agree with Lesson 2, I think some of the drop off has to do with the fact that there was no hockey and not because D.C isn’t a hockey town. Of course if there’s nothing to watch interest is going to die off. It especially helped that the lockout started right about the time football began. I know that for me the football season has given me a sports fix. I’d rather watch hockey, don’t get me wrong, but with no other alternative I watched football to pass the time and naturally became interested in the sport.

Just my two cents. As always, great post. =)