Former NHL owner Gordon weighs in
TSN.ca Staff with ESPN.com files
10/22/2004
The Hartford Whalers have been seven years removed from the National Hockey League, and it didn't take long for former owner Richard Gordon to realize when the sport wouldn't be profitable for him.
Though the league's current owners aren't permitted to discuss the lockout and its issues, Gordon - who sold the team to Detroit businessman Peter Karmanos for $47.5 million in 1994 - told ESPN.com earlier this week that he saw the writing on the wall for the business of hockey after a meeting with NHLPA Executive Director Bob Goodenow.
"Many years I ago, I met Bob Goodenow," he told ESPN's John Buccigross.
"I said, 'You know, Bob, things aren't going well. We're not making any money and we have no chance.' He said that was tough. That if you go out someone else will take it. That's your problem. That's Bob Goodenow's attitude. And you know what? That's when I sold."
Gordon also backed the argument from the league and the owners they are losing money and they will lose less with the lockout. "There is no question the owners are bleeding," he added. "I gave them all my books for crying out loud. When Peter Karmanos, who I'm not a big fan of, says the Hurricanes will lose less money not playing he is absolutely telling the truth."
The NHL and the Players Association haven't met or spoken since their last session in Toronto on Sept. 9 - one week before the lockout was imposed.
While no talks are currently scheduled, Gordon said that it is up to the owners and players themselves - not Goodenow and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman - to get something done.
"He (Bettman) doesn't play hockey," said Gordon. "Whatever he says, I don't think it means anything. The issue is the owners. They need to come up with a plan that enables them to make a living and the players to make a living."
Gordon purchased the Whalers with partner Donald Conrad in 1988 and put it back on the seller's block just six years later. The team was relocated to Carolina in 1997. "I bought them because the league was stabilized, I like hockey, and I had an investment in downtown Hartford," he explained.
"There was a commonality of interest between players and owners. I sold them when I met Bob Goodenow. I was convinced he would destroy the league."
In the meantime, the NHL Players' Association has decided to bring players reps from all 30 teams together on Nov. 2 to update them on the labour dispute. The news comes just days after the league instructed all 30 clubs to book events in their buildings 45 days in advance, cancelling all NHL games previously scheduled for that time period.
"I don't think they will get the season in," said Gordon. "I think the problem is going to be Goodenow is going to take it right to the wall. They did that in 1995. But I think now it is so severe and so much money is at stake that Goodenow has pushed them too far and the owners have no choice. It's very difficult to negotiate when you have no choice. It's simple math. You know how many seats are in the building. You know concessions. You know advertising. Everything is available. There are no hidden secrets."
Files from ESPN.com were used for this report.
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