The NHL continues to play a dangerous lockout game. Commissioner Gary Bettman, who represents the owners, and union leader Donald Fehr, who represents the players, are banking on the hope that fans will come back.
They shouldn't be so sure.
Multiple times during the ongoing labor dispute, fans have been led to believe serious progress was being made. Every time, with the most recent example coming on Thursday night, the hope quickly changed to frustration after a major setback was announced.
Fehr says right now it doesn't appear labor impasse will be resolved soon
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 7, 2012
The process of losing fans is a gradual one. No certain event will lead to a mass exodus, but every day a small portion of the fanbase simply decides the league isn't worth the aggravation. Nights like Thursday just accelerate the process.
There will always be a solid base of diehards who stick with the league through thick and thin. But it's the casual sports fans, who were just starting to appreciate the sport again in recent years, who the NHL really needs to succeed.
It's a lesson ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Tim Daniels
NHL Lockout: Latest Setback in Talks Will Drive Even More Fans Away
December 7th, 2012 by Tim Daniels Leave a reply »
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