Nll,

You are in danger of losing fans, and I am one of them. I have been a season ticket holder since day one, and not sure if I will ever be again...

So since the season is "cancelled" now you won't renew your season tickets?

What's the point? You think you are harming the league? They are going to at least break even this year since there are no games. Almost every team loses money in the NLL. The players have to know that.

I am all for giving these players an annual raise, but keep in mind that they are part-time employees of the teams. I would take a $2,000 a game part-time job anyday.

Breaking even would require that money come into the organization. WIth no ticket, advertising or consession revenue. Outside of interest on what has been paid. The only thing remaining is merchandising, and the income from that has been described as minimal.

It is doubtful that anyone will break even.

I might not renew mine either. If they care so little about fans, why should I spend my hard earned money on the sport? I haven't made a decision one way or the other yet, but there is a very real possibility that I won't be there, even if the league does go on. The NLL was cool because it was about the game, not about egos and salaries like the other sports are. Now that illusion has been shattered.

I'll probably come back, but I'm really not sure.

As for breaking even -- the league will lose money this year. They're still paying people for their jobs, and are not getting any revenue. Remember when the NHL had the lockout, they made sure all of the owners had enough money in reserve to be able to weather the storm. Do the NLL teams have that same war chest? Doubtful, unless the owners want to further subsidize the sport.

I'm not going to give up my tickets. When the Swarm and NLL come back I'll be there. But, I won't put up with this again. This is the first and last time I'll deal with a lockout. If it happens again then I'm done as a fan. The same goes for the NHL, MLB, NFL and any other league I happen to be a fan of at that time.

I took a while to get into sports. I didn't really start paying attention to any sport until the early '90s so I didn't experience the hold-outs and labor disputes that many of you probably did. I do remember when those happened but I just wasn't into the sport at that time.

I also don't really blame the players for this either. If what I read was true, about the players association not letting the players vote on the last proposal from the league, then the blame rests on the PLPA and not the players. Several people think that if the players could vote that they would vote to play. Bob Matthews who writes for a Rochester paper and Brad Banister who owns the Roughnecks both think that the players would chose to play this year. I say let the players vote.

Brad Banister Interview

Bob Matthews' Article

We're not going anywhere either. We're looking forward to the 2009 season.

Look here, I all ready paid for 4 seats and than they cancelled. And heck why should I pay a red cent if they quit on me. It's bull.

Yes this is danger. I'm with ya Purple guy. But i think i will return with the swarm. This sport is getting so big in Minnesota I do feel the BUZZ.

Just remember the Players and the Owners got it done. Thank you for making it work out. For anyone else that was ok with the lockout and they would be back in 09, is the wrong thing to say. Remember we pay them both along with the sponsors. If it ever happens again DON’T accept it at all, we the FANS, deserve more.


GO SWARM