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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE LABOR DISPUTE
WHEREAS, the National Hockey League (NHL) became the first
major sports league in North America to lose an entire
season because of a labor dispute; and
WHEREAS, the NHL enjoys a monopoly in the United States and
Canada of premier professional hockey; and
WHEREAS, no Stanley Cup champion will be crowned this year
for the first time since 1919; and
WHEREAS, the demise of the season creates enormous
uncertainties for the NHL, and leaves its fan base and its
future very much in doubt; and
WHEREAS, certain cities have assisted in financing arenas
used by NHL teams, on the expectation or with the express
promise that teams will play there, generating taxes and
revenues for the local economy; and
WHEREAS, the apparent unwillingness of the NHL and the
National Hockey League Players’ Association to reach an
agreement has left cities with an unfair burden caused by
the refusal to play scheduled games, such as:
Buffalo losing almost 400 part-time jobs and 40 full-time
jobs
St. Louis losing $4.8 million in state and local taxes
Philadelphia losing at least $5 million in local taxes
alone; and
WHEREAS, this dispute needs to be resolved soon so that
cities will not suffer similar lost revenues next year as
the result of an NHL season that is shortened, changed,
played with replacement players, or not played at all; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States
Conference of Mayors calls upon the National Hockey League
and the National Hockey League Players’ Association to
resolve their disputes now, in the public interest.
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