Thread: The Official CBA Negotiations/Lockout Super Thread

Ketel's agreed to take care of the "Bettman Problem" provided that we can guarantee no repercussions fall on her from it.

One of the mediators was already taken off the case because of Twitter issues.

Originally Posted by Toothless

So who pays the mediators?

The mediations I've done (though on a much smaller level) have seen costs split evenly between the parties.

Originally Posted by jammer06

I don't see how this helps the league one bit. It's non binding but they will not come out looking pretty by breaking off from mediation in a cash grab.

The mediators were not hired to help the league. They were hired to keep the egos of two men from being checked. Now, if and when both sides have to give a little the two asshats ruining (not running) the show could say..."well, the mediator said it was the right thing to do, so I did it". In other words, on a technicality, one won't be bowing to the other and each could walk away saying that they didn't budge. Dammit I hate this crap.

At this point I think it's fairly clear that the mediators would start at the status quo and then review the gaps between proposals. Clearly if the players are willing to move away from the status quo it means there is something implicitly wrong with the prior agreement. The question of justifying how far minus the concept of make whole tells me that the house of cards was working because the league was growing. Way to knock down that house guys. I just don't see the mediators being able to calm any ego's and this will quickly go to pot unless there's real evidence to show the mediators that this isn't a cash grab by the league.

Originally Posted by empire

U.S. federal mediators now involved in NHL/NHLPA talks

About time

Originally Posted by RagBone

"The mediation will be non-binding, meaning the sides will not be forced to go along with suggestions or recommendations made by Scot L. Beckenbaugh and John Sweeney. Those mediators are scheduled to meet separately with the league and union on Wednesday."

Unfortunately both sides can just tell the mediators to go fly a kite, just like they have the fans.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

It's a mediation...not an arbitration. The process is about fostering an agreement. There is no Finding of Fact or decison made by a mediator for which anyone can say "take a hike."

Having to call in mediators tells me one thing........The 2 jackasses who represent both sides haven't done diddly with the job they've been given.

For what it's worth I'm hopeful that the mediation will work. It is amazing to me (granted in much smaller situations) how powerful it can be to have a independent third party come in and help both sides see reality. The mediations I've done have been over family law disputes. Sometimes that mediator can make a client see that fighting over a $15 toaster might not be a great idea much better then their own lawyer can.