Will fans ever step up?

Question

The players and league treat us like guaranteed money. They know all the die hards will be back the second the NHL is back, no matter how long it takes. If there's a season next year, I will absolutely hate doing it, but I won't buy a single thing that makes the NHL money. If enough people do the same, the owners and players will get wise real quick.

Sincerely,
A pissed as **** hockey fan

I know it isn't realistic, but the fact that 2 other major leagues resolved their problems shows that the NHL couldn't give 2 shits about the fans, and I'm supposed to reward them by giving them money once it's back? Just think about who you're supporting the next time you spend your hard earned money on the NHL.

Me · Accepted Answer

I wish there would be a truly effective way for the fans to step up, but unfortunately there really isn't one.  What I'm hoping for is IF the league comes back at any time, the fans either should boycott the first game or boycott the opening puck drop (of every game).

As die hard fans, we all hate being used.  We are frustrated... but we want our sport back.

Leafsfan29-Embrace the drought! · Answer

Same thing happened (fans came back and spent money) in the NBA and the NFL.  In fact, both leagues had revenue growth and tv ratings were up.

In my case, I'm a Leafs STH (seats have been in my family since before I was born).  If I tell MLSE to get bent, there's 20,000 people who will step on my still-breating body to snatch those suckers up.  Same thing (on a different scope) in numerous other cities.  So I'll renew.  Will I buy merchandise?  Probably not (I don't collect stuff and I have enough Leafs stuff to hold me for a while).  Do I need a twelve dollar beer?  Maybe one and not two.  Maybe I can hold my appetite until after the game and grab a bite on the way home.

LC · Answer

If we stop buying all NHL merchandise, it could have an effect.  However, the effect will translate to the people that make that merchandise.

If we stop going to NHL games, all that will do is make the ticket prices go up.

What we need to do is to start boycotting the companies that own the teams, the companies that sponsor the teams, and the companies that use the players as sponsors.  EA Sports NHL 13 is still selling.  If TD Bank, Wells Fargo, and other arena sponsors start to feel the pinch, then THAT might have an effect.

Ian · Answer

If we as fans want the lockouts to stop for good, then we need to stop coming back. The money that the NHL and NHLPA are arguing about is ours. If we don't give them the money, they won't make any. Amazing isn't it? We should but we can't. This isn't a matter of what the fans think (except here in Buffalo, Pegula loves us), this is solely about money.

Robin From Hamburg - Michigan Fan From Germany · Answer

i don't give a single f-word for the nhl right now. i watch the german and the austrian hockey leagues, my local team is on a good 4th position (of 14), all season playoff contender this season, and my favorite austrian team is on 2nd (of 12), while the flames or flyers or even the hated devils didn't even play one game since april/may/june.

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Will fans ever step up?

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