The success of any negotiation involves everyone feeling good about the outcome. I don't need to be Gary Bettman or Donald Fehr to know this. If one side soils the discussions with attitude (unnecessary attitude) or if ego gets in the way, then the final deal could have disastrous results long after the contract is signed. No one should want this.
You would think that this would be particularly true when the parties involved are sophisticated, successful and experienced business professionals. I've always admired the auto workers and the big three for their ability to overcome major differences and get a deal done under intense pressure.
The NHL lockout however is not admirable on any level.
I play a lot of hockey but don't watch it on TV so I'm indifferent to the outcome. However, if I had to take sides at this point, I'm feeling mildly compassionate towards the players.
The last NHL owner's offer to the players contained one clause in particular that would never never sit well with any person or organization. These 30 multi-millionaires have demanded that some of the contracts that they've already negotiated and signed be renegotiated with less favourable terms for the players. There's even suspicion that the owners signed these contracts knowing in advance that they'd never have to honour them.
Sounds like collusion to me. I hope the players hold their ground.