As a Washingtonian, I suppose I should thank him for that: the Expos had their best shot that year, and the strike didn’t help their case for a new stadium. A decade later, the Expos bolted Montreal, and baseball returned to the District. Last I heard, the Nationals were the #1 team in the bigs, so we may see fall ball here for the first time in a VERY long time. But that’s another forum.

So Fehr knows a thing or two about how to play bargaining hardball, and based on some of the comments I’m reading from Brooks Laich (the Caps’ union rep) in the papers Monday, this could go on for a while.

I’m actually on the League’s side on this one. The players don’t have to worry about where the money comes from: they just want more of it. Owners, though, DO have to care about where the money comes from: sponsors can only afford so much, and ticket prices can only go so high, ESPECIALLY in this economy, before fans start re-thinking their ticket options. This is EXACTLY the wrong economy in which to be whining about seven-figure contracts while median household income is falling for everyday Americans.

So, while I’m definitely going to miss hockey nights at Verizon Center for God only knows how long, I’m actually somewhat grateful that the owners opted to stand athwart the skyrocketing numbers yelling “Stop!”

I get the players’ position: they earn most of their life’s income from playing days that can end at any time. But when the fans in the cheap seats are, on balance, falling behind economically, while the cheap seats are getting less and less cheap, something’s got to give, soon, before casual fans get priced out.

Gentlemen,

Please understand your timing is not good. That’s all I have to say. Good luck!

STADIUM FINANCING AND UPKEEP. ASKING THE CITY OF CINCINNATI (PAUL BROWN STADIUM), NEW JERSEY (MET LIFE), NEW YORK (CITI FIELD) MIAMI (MARLINS STADIUM), SAN DIEGO (PETCO), JUST TO NAME A FEW. TAXPAYER FUNDED- MAJORITY.

ANSWER THE QUESTION, YOU SUPPORT EDUCATION……YOU MENTIONED IT.

I AM A FAN. 40 DOLLARS????????? WHAT ABOUT FIELD SEATS AND LUXURY SEATS (PCL’S). DOESN’T THAT COUNT? SHOULDN’T ALL FANS HAVE THE SAME ACCESS????

NOT THE NOSE BLEED SECTION………………

Why don’t you identify yourselves, as former or current players? Your rebuttal would have credence. Justin Morneau is currently on a six year contract making 80 million dollars, his final (2013) year, he’s making 19 million dollars for the year. A non-Allstate, making 19 million dollars. Why don’t you guys pay his salary on behalf of the Minnesota baseball fans? Do you own a business? Ask the Minnesota tax payer if their happy subsidizing sports facilities for millionaire players and billionaire owners?

Someone mentioned supporting education, well here is your opportunity. All hockey revenue shall set aside 2 percent total gross revenue to finance ALL stadium upkeep and renovations.

This way the local taxpayer will redistribute our local tax dollars back into our education system. Along, with supporting our public infrastructure. I.e. highways, bridges, and police/firefighters.

Well, well, what do you have to say now? How about them apples? LMAO

FYI, what has ruined education is that since the early 80s, education budgets have been slashed repeatedly at all levels. You see, there is no real “education lobby”, so that is what gets cut to further support pet projects of powerful lobbyists. The most important think in any society is the education of its populace, and in the US we fund it like it doesn’t matter. Teachers are paid so poorly for the work they do, that most people that are good teachers and can do something else, quit and do something else.

Justin, stick with baseball. The Minnesota fans already have to pay higher ticket prices for your 200 million plus salary.

He’s got experience with Fehr and it’s good that he shares it.

Also pretty sure that almost all the accounts commenting above me are the same guy with different e-mails. Because man, the amount of trolls on PHT is astounding.