Kukla's Korner Hockey
Pay To Play In The WC Alumni Game?
by Paul on 01/19/12 at 09:36 AM ET
Comments (4)
from Dave Feschuk and Rick Westhead of the Toronto Star,
At the NHL Winter Classic alumni game on New Year’s Eve, a baseball stadium filled with hockey fans appeared collectively touched by a feel-good moment.
Eric Lindros, a Philadelphia legend come home, was feted with a standing ovation. Bernie Parent, the 66-year-old Stanley Cup hero of the 1970s, was showered in adoring chants. Some among the faithful smiled through tears.
If the memories, for many fans, were priceless, certainly the revenue was both real and large. With about 45,000 in attendance, with reports pegging mid-level tickets at face values of $75, with suites and other premium seats going for more . . . well, let’s be conservative and suggest gate receipts topped $4 million, never mind the take from concessions and parking and merchandise.
You’ll excuse the ballpark estimations and know there is one key financial that can be stated with at least a little more certainty. The ex-players who thrilled the crowd don’t appear to have been paid like star performers. Multiple alumni sources said they weren’t paid for their services. Another source with knowledge of alumni affairs said he’d heard they were paid a nominal fee of $200. Perhaps there is more to the story.
While airfare and accommodations were also covered, some players actually spent money to play in the alumni game. Airline baggage fees meant lugging hockey equipment to Philadelphia cost about $50 to $100. Those who didn’t want to travel with hockey sticks could purchase one in the dressing room for $50.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Posted by Lex Talionis on 01/19/12 at 01:04 PM ET
I’m kind of amazed that they weren’t at least reimbursed for shipping their hockey equipment and stuff too.
Posted by Garth on 01/19/12 at 02:14 PM ET
I’m kind of amazed that they weren’t at least reimbursed for shipping their hockey equipment and stuff too.
Posted by Garth on 01/19/12 at 01:14 PM ET
Nothing surprises me any more regarding the greed of the owners and the league. One would think that after all these players have given to the game, paying to ship equipment should have been picked up by the league or the Teams, at the very least. How much $$$ was made off these guys playing in the Alumni Game?
Then, to add insult to injury, they had the nerve to charge $50 bucks a pop for a lousy stick?
Once again a nice black eye for the League. Greedy .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 01/19/12 at 02:22 PM ET
Nothing surprises me any more regarding the greed of the owners and the league.
The thing that surprised me was that they picked up the bill for the plane tickets but not the baggage. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they didn’t pay for their travel at all, but the fact that they went part of the way but not all of the way.
Posted by Garth on 01/19/12 at 02:29 PM ET
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I don’t know about paying these guys to play in the game—that’s a whole other issue but this—
just makes the Flyers/Rangers look like misers. The alumni have to buy their own equipment? In the locker room? Are you kidding? For God’s sake, the franchises participating can afford to cover players’ costs, at least.
Cheap ass b*stards is what they apparently are.
Posted by Lex Talionis on 01/19/12 at 02:04 PM ET