Now, some teams are more profitable than others because of their larger market share, and then you factor in the wealthier owners. The current CBA gives those richer owners and large market share a huge advantage over smaller markets. Case and point,front loaded contracts. Snider forced the Predators ownership to spend more than they could afford to retain their rights on Weber. flyers = larger market share and Preds = smaller market share.

The size of the market is irrelevant to a successful business model. A profitable team is a profitable team.

And let’s dispell this notion that revenue sharing is needed to maintain parity. Revenue sharing is the sports equivalent of welfare…..It’s intentions are honorable…..human nature creates dependency, lack of incentive and laziness.

If teams aren’t allowed to circumvent the cap to lure talent with front loaded deals, stash away unproductive players in the minor leagues, and the cap floor and cieling are reasonable for all markets then parity abounds.

Now, does any of that mean Phoenix, and Columbus are profitable hockey towns? NO! But all of the rest can be profitable within reasonable parameters.

I don’t know what you were doing with Bettman last week so I can’t comment on your “squirts”.

Cast your vote @ http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/06/crosby-makes-last-minute-decision-to-attend-nhl-nhlpa-meeting-in-new-york/

Many feel for small market teams. How do you think the Quebec Nordiques fan base felt after they moved to Colorado and won the Cup? However, the ability to turn a profit in their business is what owners really care about. One has to ask if having small market teams is the right business model. Perhaps it is because of the revenues generated for existing owners when a new franchise is added. If so, then how to you maintain the parity between the larger and smaller markets. I assume some sort of revenue sharing scheme and a more appropriate CBA could help. But, to what cost?

The Montreal Expos also suffered because of the small market.

No small market team should be given the opportunity to go down the path that my Pittsburgh Pirates went down. No group of fans deserves that.

There’s no more need for you to fear about a deal being reached here, than there is for me to fear that Captain Brown ends up yodeling in the Alps ! … all will be well … I guarantee it !