'Canes Owner Vents

Carolina Hurricanes' owner Peter Karmanos sounds more than a tad angry in this article by Nicholas Cotosnika of the Detroit Free Press. The Detroit resident went off during media day for the Plymouth Whalers, the team he owns in the Ontario Hockey League. Karmanos offered a number of opinions on the NHL lockout, here are some of my favorites.

First, Karmanos claims that the NHLPA is "way past the point of no return in terms of greed". Let me offer this tiny bit of public relations advice to a man who doesn't need it. In this post-Enron era of corporate greed, not many are going to side with the CEO of a major company (Compuware) who owns both a NHL and OHL franchise. Having someone with that kind of wealth calling others greedy is a tough sell.

Karmanos suggests he lost an average of $12 to $15 million per season since 1994. He claims he will only "lose half as much money by not playing". Again, to be able to afford to lose $12 million a year for a decade, his low figure, doesn't sound like a man hurting for cash. Worse yet, he appears more than willing to eat another $6 to $7.5 million a year to not watch his team play to prove his point. Yet, he maintains that $1.8 million dollar a year salary figure for the players is "ridiculous"?

Of course, you are losing big money Mr. K., you own a hockey team in CAROLINA. Who's bright idea was that? I'm sure there are some dedicated hockey fans in that area, but let's be serious. Hockey in the south was more wishful thinking than solid business strategy. Are you really surprised you are losing boatloads of cash when some Canadian franchises, with tons of tradition and far more interest nationally, are also having economic trouble?

Then comes the most unfortunate statement of the interview. Karmanos, while discussing his NHL losses, mentioned his cancer center. "Where do you think the I'd rather have seen the money go?" Karmanos questioned. I really want to be diplomatic here, as Karmanos has given a great deal to the Karmanos Cancer Institute and he should be applauded for that, but his suggestion irks me.

He is, of course, claiming if the 'Canes could turn a profit he could have put more into his cancer center. He is also claiming, indirectly, of course, that the NHLPA is to blame for this. I have two huge issues with this. First, blaming the NHLPA, even indirectly, for your poor business decisions and for costing the cancer center additional funding is out of line. Way out of line.

Second, if Mr. Karmanos really wanted to pump significantly more revenue into the Institute, unlike the rest of us, I suspect he could write a check this instant. If not, selling the 'Canes, Whalers or a portion of Compuware might create quite a bit of capital. That income could certainly go straight towards charity work, if that's his true desire.

Amongst other things, Karmanos also informs us that a salary is the only answer to the NHL's money problems and that the fans and media force teams into signing players to big contracts lest the owners be charged with not caring.

Unfortunately, all that comes across during this adamant discussion is that Karmanos is mad at everyone else for his team's finances and the problems that have resulted. Is it any wonder why so many believe the NHL lockout will be protracted? If half the owners share Karmanos' bitterness and inability to accept responsibility for the league's state, this lockout will easily last over a year.