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I particularly thought THIS guy spoke for most of us. Maybe not some of you but I could surely relate.
QUOTE
The players blame the owners. The owners blame the players. Well neither one would have a business or livelihood if not for us, the fans. I'm talking about the common, middle-class, blue-collar worker. Not the corporate giant that invests in skyboxes and prime seating sections so they can claim a nice tax deduction.
I represent the little, forgotten hockey fan. The one that takes his kids to the rink at wee hours of the morning or late at night, because ice time is so hard to come by. The guy that scrounges through garage and yard sales or discount stores to find used equipment so his kids can play the game. The guy that sacrifices his weekends and free time to take his kids to practice and to games. The guy that would love to be able to take his family to an NHL hockey game but would have to sacrifice a week's paycheck to do so. Hey! Does anyone out there remember us?
The core of hockey always has been, is, and always will be a sport of the hard-working, blue-collar citizen. Sure, the corporate businesses will provide a major share of financial dependability. But they aren't feeling it in their heart and soul after the gut-wrenching overtime loss, the thrilling breakaway goal or the bone-crunching checks. They are there to socialize and impress business clients.
The owners make millions. The players make millions. I think it is safe to assume they all live the good life. But apparently not good enough.
Let me try and bring this into perspective. And I can assure you I speak for tens of thousands of hockey fans everywhere. It will take me over twenty years working eight hours a day, five days a week, 52 weeks a year to make my first million dollars. Plus my tax dollars are being used to fund new hockey rinks, baseball and football stadiums, etc. Professional sports of all kinds have progressed into money-hungry players wanting more than they deserve and impatient owners willing to give anything for the chance at a championship.
I will likely never to be able to attend any NHL games with my family. Certainly not more than once or twice a year. But then again who cares about me? The true hockey fan. — Fading Hockey Fan
I represent the little, forgotten hockey fan. The one that takes his kids to the rink at wee hours of the morning or late at night, because ice time is so hard to come by. The guy that scrounges through garage and yard sales or discount stores to find used equipment so his kids can play the game. The guy that sacrifices his weekends and free time to take his kids to practice and to games. The guy that would love to be able to take his family to an NHL hockey game but would have to sacrifice a week's paycheck to do so. Hey! Does anyone out there remember us?
The core of hockey always has been, is, and always will be a sport of the hard-working, blue-collar citizen. Sure, the corporate businesses will provide a major share of financial dependability. But they aren't feeling it in their heart and soul after the gut-wrenching overtime loss, the thrilling breakaway goal or the bone-crunching checks. They are there to socialize and impress business clients.
The owners make millions. The players make millions. I think it is safe to assume they all live the good life. But apparently not good enough.
Let me try and bring this into perspective. And I can assure you I speak for tens of thousands of hockey fans everywhere. It will take me over twenty years working eight hours a day, five days a week, 52 weeks a year to make my first million dollars. Plus my tax dollars are being used to fund new hockey rinks, baseball and football stadiums, etc. Professional sports of all kinds have progressed into money-hungry players wanting more than they deserve and impatient owners willing to give anything for the chance at a championship.
I will likely never to be able to attend any NHL games with my family. Certainly not more than once or twice a year. But then again who cares about me? The true hockey fan. — Fading Hockey Fan
:lolsg: :lolsg: :lolsg: :th:
