Andrew Zimbalist
Andrew Zimbalist
Andrew S. Zimbalistis a U.S. economist. He is the Robert A. Woods Professor of Economics at Smith College...
area cities conclusion currently draw economics heck hosting league location moving opposite ripe several slam stronger talk viable
I think that the NHL is ripe to have some franchises move. Hartford is a viable area when it comes down to that. To be in the Northeast, in New England, with hockey, is viable. I think the economics of the league have stabilized. They're not perfect, but they're a heck of a lot better than they were. I wouldn't draw the conclusion that Hartford can't work. In fact, I think I'd draw the opposite conclusion. I think it's a much stronger location than several of the cities that are currently hosting NHL teams. And I know that there's a lot of talk about franchises moving around. I don't think it's a slam dunk, but I think it's very viable.
viable
I don't think contraction is a viable option.
market stands until
Until the L.A. market is settled, I don't think there's any other market out there that stands a chance.
agree behind bud closed clubs fine greater lie mean owners revenue salary sit smaller sure talking threat whip
I think they will have to be some greater revenue sharing, reinstitution of a salary tax. But I don't think the big-market owners will agree to everything the smaller clubs want. I'm not sure Bud has got more of a whip than he had in the past. Just because he's been able to keep owners from talking under threat of a fine doesn't mean when they sit behind closed doors, they lie down for him.
best fight game guess hand hurt owners players sound sure themselves tip willing
My best guess is they won't strike. They know they'll hurt the game and themselves too much if they strike. I don't think they'll tip their hand right now - I'm sure they'll make it sound like they're willing to strike. But my best guess is players will fight the owners with litigation.
brink push reluctant sides until
I think at the end of the day, the two sides are very reluctant to push this to the brink or over the brink. It just makes no sense. But until you get to the brink, there is going to be jockeying and posturing.
direction opposite performs team
You also then have to acknowledge that when the team performs poorly, it'll go in the opposite direction.
fan interest maintain management smart
They've just ignited the fan interest in St. Louis, and management has been smart enough to maintain that.
jobs people question subtract sure thousands whether
I'm sure there will be thousands of new jobs. But the question is whether they subtract jobs from people working nearby.
background business continue necessary positive run serious teams work
It will continue the cycle; I think it has to. It's positive to have serious corporations that have the business background to do that kind of work necessary to run teams today.
tourists
You are substituting one set of tourists for another.
area cannot economic expect level raise stadium team
You cannot expect a new stadium in your area or a new team in your area will raise the level of economic development.
everybody excited round threw time water
Everybody got excited in 1997 and then they got smacked in the face, ... They won't go back for another round when that happens. ... If every time you went to McDonald's there was someone there who threw water in your face, you wouldn't go back, either.
baseball both happen owners seems victory whether
It seems to me what necessarily has to happen is some concessions from both sides. Whether that is a victory for owners or victory for players, I'm not sure, ... Baseball and Billions.