NHLPA History Flashcards
Lecture 8
When did NHL players begin paying into a pension plan?
1948
Players contributed $900/year while owners contributed $600.
What was the surplus of the pension plan by 1957?
$1.5 million
Players met to discuss the management of this surplus.
What was the average salary of NHL players in 1957?
$8,000
What was the annual profit of NHL teams around 1957?
$1 million
Who informally approached players about unionizing during the 1956 All-Star Game?
Ted Lindsay
Players agreed to pay 100$ each for dues.
When was the NHLPA formally announced?
February 12, 1957
What was the NHLPA’s status when it was first formed?
Not a legal union
What percentage of roster change occurred in the NHL by September 1957?
32%
Including Lindsay, who was traded in hopes that it would scare off players from joining the union.
When did the Detroit team vote to withdraw from the Players’ Association?
November 13, 1957
Eventually disbanded in 1958.
What cultural belief affected players’ willingness to unionize in the 1950s?
Players were taught that what they did didn’t constitute work.
Unions were considered radical in the 1950s (too socialist)
Who was called upon to help organize the NHLPA in 1967?
Alan Eagleson
Attourney and friend of the players. They announced formation of NHLPA in June of 1967.
What was one of the main purposes of the NHLPA?
Negotiate Collective Bargaining Agreement on behalf of players
List two issues that the NHLPA addresses.
- Disability
- Medical and dental issues
- Pension
What year did salary arbitration become a milestone for the NHLPA?
1969
What are ‘walk away rights’ in the context of salary arbitration?
Rights allowing players to reject offers and seek other options.
What is free agency in the NHL?
A system allowing players to negotiate contracts with any team.
Free agents were paid closer to their MRP (not necessarily overpaid)
In what year was restricted free agency compensation introduced?
1976
What impact did the NHLPA have on player salaries?
Increased player salaries, Player movement
Who was the head of the NHLPA from 1967 to 1990?
Alan Eagleson
What criminal charges was Alan Eagleson eventually convicted of?
Fraud
He redirected funds from NHLPA to his other business associates and family members. He also treated his own clients differently than other NHLPA members.
What significant action was taken against Alan Eagleson in early 1991?
He was ousted from the NHLPA.
Eagleson stole revenue from…
Rinkboard sinage, NHLPA business (through giving their business to companies that he controlled/ owned), insurance brokers (through receiving kickbacks).
Who started to become suspicious of Eagleson?
1984 Sports Illustrated article
Ed Garvey report
1991 Ritch Winter
Why did Eagleson leverage the NHLPA?
To benefit from international events.
What major advances for the NHLPA were made after 1991?
Salary disclosure, licensing (trading cards, video games…), agent certification (1996), publishing.
What was the salary disclosure for players in the 1990-91 season?
$270K
What is the estimated salary disclosure for players today?
≈ $3m+
What is the name of the hockey show associated with the NHLPA?
Be a Player
What year was agent certification established for NHLPA agents?
1996
List two forms of licensing revenue for the NHLPA.
- Trading cards
- Video games
