New York Rangers Brad Richards frustrated with Lockout, 'Scared for Game' -NHL Update
Frustration is spreading fast as their seems to be no end to the lockout situation throughout the National Hockey League (NHL), and New York Rangers leading forward, Brad Richards, is certainly one of the affected as he is “scared for the game”.
Despite moves by both stakeholders, the league and Players’ Association, Richards is not optimistic of the 2012-2013 NHL regular season kicking off anytime soon as he sees a threat that will eventually gobble it up entirely.
"We're scared for the game," Richards said Tuesday in New York. "That's the biggest thing. Where is the game going to be if this keeps going?"
It has been over two months now ever since the lockout came into force officially when the previous collective bargaining agreement ended on September 15, 2012.
"I'm not too optimistic about it," Richards said at the launch for his partnership with the UNTUCKit clothing line, according to ESPN. "There has to be a negotiation. There hasn't been yet."
Both stakeholders are still in confusion over a number of issues due to the fact that players’ share in revenue is still in need of being discussed and agreed upon along with a number of other factors that have faced them to turn towards a third party in
order to settle their matters.
"Right now, (the league's offer) is take-it-or-leave-it and it's a deal that makes no sense for the future of the league, so we're trying to figure out a way to get some momentum and get it so it's good for both sides, not just one side," Richards added.
Federal mediators have been working for a number of other sports leagues in the past few years as well, with their most recent projects being to settle disputes with the National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA).
It will be interesting to see how Brad Richards reacts in the upcoming days when the mediation process officially begins, which could be as soon as this upcoming Wednesday.
Fans and basically everyone associated with the league is hoping for a prompt start to the season, but many have lost all hope.
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