04/26/24
September 01, 2005
Calling Russia's bluff: "The managers of Russian ice-hockey, admit though, that contradictions and inconsistencies in Russian legislation allow North Americans to totally ignore their demands." Does Russia and its PHL have any leverage to negotiate a favorable and equitable player transfer policy? "NHL commissar Gary Battman made no specific promises during his recent emergency visit to Russia." [via]
First of all, they demand that NHL bosses acknowledge players' current contracts with Russian clubs and agree to let the clubs take decisions whether they want to transfer a player or not. So basically, all the Russian league is asking for is the normal protections that cover football clubs over the globe. The problem is that in football, FIFA govern the sport in every country, and thus contracts can be enforced. In ice hockey, there is no such body. The solution would be for the NHL to fall under the jurisdiction of the IHL but (ha ha!) Americans would never stand for that. Just another reason to hope that MLS never takes off in popularity.
posted by salmacis at 05:19 PM on September 01, 2005
MLS play by FIFA rules though, admittedly, NASL did not.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:04 PM on September 01, 2005
there is the IIHF, but it is has been in the back pocket of the NHL for some time now, allowing unfair transfer arrangements in the past. The Russians have a legitimate gripe, but are hampered by their own legislation. The NHL owner lock-out has emboldened the other leagues to acquire equal footing. I don't see why the NHL should get preferential treatment, even though I get to enjoy the benefits of such favoritism.
posted by garfield at 08:28 AM on September 02, 2005
According to what I've read the IIHF contract calls for transfer amounting to about $150,000 per player, and the Russian Super League wants about $350,000 per player. The NHL forbid teams from negotiatiing with Russian teams immediately following the release of the news - but I'm sure that there is an agreement to be reached here. This affects the Pens and Sens the most - Malkin (2nd overall two years ago) and Kaigorodov (Ottawa 2nd round pick this year) were expected to be impact players for the respective teams, but will now spend up to two years completing their contracts in Russia first.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:10 AM on September 02, 2005
Do you think $150k is fair compensation? Or even $350k?
posted by garfield at 09:39 AM on September 02, 2005
Well - the Russian's think $350,000 is fair, the number doesn't strike me as overwhelming - so yes. Really, you're dealing with a situation where the player wants to come over (perferably without violating the terms of his contract); an NHL that was, for all intents and purposes, defunct two months ago; and a league that wants to limit the revenue loss caused by some of its players leaving. Nothing here strikes me as being out of the ordinary, least of all an NHL that knows that most of the players would rather play here anyway. So here's a little hardball to start the negotiations.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:42 AM on September 02, 2005
You think 300k is fair? Top footballers in contract go for tens of millions.
posted by salmacis at 01:55 PM on September 02, 2005
What I think is fair is moot - The Russian Super League thinks $350,000 is fair. Ergo, that's the figure that they determined - the guys who are alledgedly going to be ripped off if the IIHF deal were adopted. Is everybody following along here? - Tell me why you would make this figure higher, if that's what they came up with. Top footballers and top hockey players are in completely different economic strata (though you wouldn't know it judging by what some of these NHLers make). Top football clubs make profits that shame the entire NHL, let alone one team.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:20 PM on September 02, 2005
Woo! Battman is now running the NHL! It seems to me like the NHL has been making out quite well in the transfer of talent from Europe. Especially when you look at it in terms of movement of players in football (soccer) from team to team and league to league. The system, from the Russians' standpoint, it probably due for an overhaul so it will be interesting to see where this goes. dunna nunna nunna nunna Battman!