The reason there is hesitation when hearing the NHL has agreed to allow Seattle to fill out an application for expansion is that unmitigated greed can undo something great. And greed is the first sentiment that comes to mind when commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday that the Board of Governors is asking Seattle for a $650 million expansion fee, as opposed to the $500 million that Bill Foley just paid to get the Vegas Golden Knights in.
Where in the world does the market value of anything increase by 30 percent in a year?
For all its faults, the NHL still is a terrific league. The games are exciting, the athletes are getting even more talented, and, with the exception of maybe three teams, the financials are generally stable. The hard salary cap created exactly what they wanted — a league of parity where there are no great teams (despite the very odd fact that only four teams have combined to win the past nine Stanley Cups). Almost every team has a chance to make the playoffs, and just as Rangers coach Alain Vigneault says all the time, once you’re in, all 16 teams legitimately have a chance to win the Stanley Cup. I don’t understand how someone can root for the 27 teams that have no chance to win an NBA title every year.
The NHL players are getting paid well (despite the justified griping about escrow) and reaching free agency is extremely rewarding. They have some major issues — like not going to the Olympics — which is more than likely going to lead to another lockout in 2020-21. But for now, everyone seems relatively pleased. Oh, and their contracts are guaranteed.
Which brings us to the one league that reigns above all others and that I think is in the midst of crumbling. The NFL has been printing money for at least two decades now, and it’s gotten to their heads — literally. The way they have dealt (or buried) the concussion issue is deplorable. The fact that the commissioner who can do nothing right (Roger Goodell) just signed a $200 million contract is outrageous. The fact that Jerry Jones said that was outrageous and they looked into kicking him out of the league — after he was such a huge part in building it up — is disgusting.
But most disgusting is that they have such utter disregard for their players with standard contracts that are not guaranteed. The one major sport that is the most dangerous to the players’ health — dangerous to their lives, really — is the one where all the players have worked for can disappear in an instant if a team decides to cut them. The greed of those owners is beyond reproach. Imagine what they would demand for an expansion team — five billion? In what world are we living where that is a reasonable price for a sports team?!?
So Seattle looks primed to pony up the money and get in on the NHL. It seems like it could really be a good fit. It also seems like a done deal, with the moderate conflict of interest being that Oak View Group (OVG) is involved in $660 million renovation of KeyArena. Of course, OVG is partially backed by MSG owner James Dolan and by Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs. So wonder how they’ll vote on whether they want Seattle in or not?
But at this crucial time, Bettman needs to remember that the role of the commissioner is to run the league appropriately. As seen in other sports, commissioners have become only concerned about the interests of the owners, and about making as much money as possible with disregard to what that entails. If this price is what the market dictates is a reasonable fee, then so be it. But greed can undercut this league in a heartbeat, and they need to be wary.
Feisty Tkachuk
Am I the only one who likes this Matthew Tkachuk kid? Well, besides his Flames’ teammates. He’s not the biggest guy in the world, and he certainly plays on the edge — just like his father, Keith.
And sure, he speared Matt Martin while on the bench, drawing an almost comical one-game suspension. But even Martin called it “child’s play,” and he’s right. And sure, he was suspended earlier in the season for spearing Luke Witkowski as he was leaving the ice after being ejected. And sure, he’s had more than a couple questionable hits, like his elbow to Drew Doughty’s head last March that drew a two-game suspension. But Tkachuk plays with that edge that seems missing in so many players nowadays. He’s just fun to watch.
Sharks-Caps rivalry?
Seemed like everybody lost their cool over an incident that didn’t seem that bad at the time. It started on Monday when Joe Thornton nailed T.J. Oshie into the boards, injuring Oshie and keeping him out the lineup at least through Friday’s game against the Rangers. But starting the third period of that game, Capitals resident tough-guy (and general malcontent) Tom Wilson decided to jump Thornton, and fight him.
That got San Jose coach Peter DeBoer all riled up, screaming at Washington assistant coach Lane Lambert from the bench and then saying afterward “that premeditated crap is just garbage.” It escalated very quickly, but rivalries have to start somewhere, right?
Stay tuned…
…to the Calder Trophy race. What seemed like a runaway for the Coyotes’ Clayton Keller has gotten tight — with two contenders right here in the New York area. That would be the Islanders’ Mathew Barzal and the Devils’ Nico Hischier, both of whom continue to dazzle with their skill. New Jersey also has Will Butcher and Jesper Bratt, who should garner some attention, at least for the all-rookie team. It’s a good crop of young players in the league right now, and they’re fun to watch.
Parting shot
Normally, sports-related marriage proposals are lame. But this one was actually pretty cool.