RSS
Toronto, Canada
National Hockey League team owners have presented an initial proposal that calls for a drastic drop in players' share of hockey-related revenue from 57 percent to 46 percent during the negotiation for a new collective bargaining agreement.
The 11-percent drop would represent more than $300 million loss to players as league revenues recently topped $3 billion.
In a two-page proposal presented during Friday's negotiating session in Toronto, the league also proposed that player contracts to be limited to five years and asked that salary arbitration be eliminated.
The owners also want eligibility for unrestricted free agency be bumped up to 10 seasons. Presently, NHL players can qualify for unrestricted free agency after seven seasons.
The owners also want change in the entry-level contract system to accommodate five-year deals. Entry-level players currently get a maximum of three years.
They are also seeking some changes to the definition of hockey-related revenue that would ultimately mean less money for players.
Under the current system, the salary cap is determined based on league revenue, and players are guaranteed to receive 57 percent and teams 43 percent. If player contracts exceed that percentage, players have to give back. If teams didn't spend enough on players, the players would receive more, although that hasn't happened.
The owners' request for reduction in players' revenue share was expected, like what happened during the NBA and NFL negotiations for a new CBA.
NHL Players Association spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon said the owners' proposal will be discussed with players over the next few days, and the NHLPA's response would be discussed in next Wednesday's negotiating session.
The two sides are negotiating for a new CBA that would replace the old one which will expire Sept. 15. In 2004, the owners locked out players when no agreement was reached by the expiration of the contract, which eventually led to the cancellation of the 2004-05 season.
Both sides are hoping to reach a new deal before the deadline to avoid lockout but they have refused to say whether the season will start on time.
NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr said the players would be willing to start the season without a deal if negotiations were ongoing.
Twitter: @ihavenet
- Jets Bolster Depth with Kyle Wellwood Re-signing
- NHL Owners Propose 11-Percent Drop in Players' Revenue Share
- Capitals Sign First-Round Pick Filip Forsberg to Entry-Level Deal
- Veteran Right Wing Selanne Stays with Ducks for One More Year
- NHL and Players' Union Mum on New Agreement
- Devils GM Lou Lamoriello Elected to US Hockey Hall of Fame
- Former Thrashers Prospect Saponari Ready to Take Off with Jets
- Lightning Reward Teddy Purcell with 3-year Extension
- Lightning Sign Goaltender Lindback to Two-Year Deal
- Matt Carle Returns to Lightning
- Wild Land Zach Parise and Ryan Suter
- Goalie Al Montoya Inks One-Year Pact with Jets
- Stars Sign Jaromir Jagr to One-Year Deal
- Canadiens Sign Goalie Carey Price to Six-Year, $39M Deal
- Sticking with Jersey: Brodeur Inks Two-Year Deal with Devils
- NHL and Players Union Set Salary Cap at $70.2M
- Goalie Tuukka Rask Signs One-Year Deal with Bruins
- Goalie Jonathan Quick Signs 10-year Extension with Kings
- Crosby Agrees to 12-year, $104.4M Extension with Penguins
- Flames Acquire, Sign Dennis Wideman to Long-Term Deal
- Adam Oates Named Caps Coach, Among Group Elected to Hall of Fame
- NHL Union Head Don Fehr Hopes League Will Not Lock Out Players
- Flames Extend Qualifying Offers to Five Restricted Free Agents
- Oilers Make Yakupov Overall Top Pick
- Blue Jackets Pick Goalie Oscar Dansk in 2nd Round of 2012 NHL Draft
- Maple Leafs Trade Defenseman Luke Schenn to Flyers
- Bruins Goalie Tim Thomas Waives No-trade Clause
- Canucks Look to Move Up From 26th Position in NHL Draft
- Blues Re-Sign Defenseman Barret Jackman to Three-Year Pact
- Red Wings Sign Forward Darren Helm to Four-Year Extension
- NHL Could Take Over Cash-Strapped Devils in August
- Rangers, Sharks Among Teams Interested in Jackets' Rick Nash
- Canadiens Hire Gallant and Jodoin as Assistants to Therrien
- Lightning Deal for Predators Backup Goalie Anders Lindback
- Devils Star Zach Parise Could Receive Wild Offer
- Martin Brodeur to Decide on Potential Return By July 1
- Kings Destroy Devils, Collect First Stanley Cup
Copyright © 2012 AHN - All Rights Reserved