First things first: We are beyond relieved that we finally get a chance to bitch not about the lockout continuing, but about the reaction to its disappearance.
How humongous big is that difference? It's like going hungry versus not being satisfied with what you just ate. That comparison is terrible, but we've all gone a little nuts in waiting this one out, so it's not the only crazy thing you can expect us to say. Being a fan of a league run by Gary Betteman tends to bring this out in people.
And while we try to return to some level of normalcy, in no way does that mean we should cut any slack to those who have already badly hurt that pursuit. They exist in big numbers, on both sides of what was a grinding impasse.
But for everyone who played a role in this lockout, many at least are owning up to their part .in this mess.
Some however are not, take the current owner in Washington.
A little background first though.
Ted Leonsis, the long-time owner of the Capitals and just recently the Wizards, is someone who is believed to have been in the hard-line group of owners during the lockout. Collectively, this group made negotiations between the NHL, and NHLPA, a much harder process, this we know.
So what made Leonsis tick?
Maybe it was all about the contracts. Maybe Mr. Leonsis just wanted to double-down on having time to focus on being the world's most boring blogger. (If you can only write one line about Justin Bieber's upcoming concert at Verizon, just give it up already Ted!) Maybe Teddy just wanted to devote his full attention to the Wizards, things seem to be working quite swimmingly with that team, right? (There's a reason why they say this man has the Midas Touch.)
Whatever it was, we are not here to argue sides.
We would however like those who had an active role in what took place to at least acknowledge that the game was harmed, and that everyone involved bears some responsibility for what took place.
Ted Leonsis it appears, is not ready to do that. He was however ready to write one of the most remorseless, and out-of-touch responses to the end of the lockout.
“We are extremely excited that the National Hockey League has reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with the Players’ Association, pending final approval on both sides. This is certainly welcome news for all of us – fans, players, corporate partners, local businesses, broadcast rights holders, media, staff and owners – and especially our plan holders who have created such a fantastic Verizon Center atmosphere.
Thanks to all of you for your patience, support and understanding during this process. We will continue to be in touch as more information becomes available, and all of us at the Capitals look forward to seeing you at Verizon Center in the coming weeks.”
For a guy who so reverently in 'The Business of Happiness,' wrote that doing for others is the key to a self-actualized lifestyle, (Based on his charity and donations, in no way are we saying that he doesn't actually feel that way.) he certainly isn't doing much to follow his own advice.
For in this case, it's all about Leonsis, and not about you.
Go ahead and look back at how many times 'we' and 'us' and 'our' are used in comparison to 'you.'
As for 'you,' Leonsis wants to just go ahead and make some assumptions about you.
Rest assured that he knows that you are 'understanding' of his plight. I'm sure all of us are. Caviar ain't cheap and players cost money!
Leonsis also wants to thank you for your patience. He does this out of the goodness of his heart because he also knows that you're already over it! Being the malevolent captain of industry that he is, he knows that you do not need him to acknowledge that he played a role in creating a situation that badly tested your patience.
Furthermore, he's a very busy man. Busy with social media, busy SnagFilms, busy with that online coupon company, what is it? LivingSocialGroup? You'll have to forgive him if he doesn't even remember just what he did to piss you off in the first place.
And sure, Capitals fans, Ted is very happy to have the chance to see you again. Still, you better not get big-headed about this. You are included in the same sentence as other equally important entities like corporate sponsors and broadcast right partners. All of these 'partners' play a role in passing the buck on to Mr. Leonsis, and in turn, all of these things contribute to Ted being happy. Yay!
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It's highly conceivable that we are making too big a deal about this, on the other hand. is this not potentially a strong indicator that Leonsis has lost touch?
You can be pretty sure that other NHL owners aren't using words like 'plan holder' when reaching out to their loyalist.
A 'plan holder' is a word devoid of any meaning or feeling. So is Leonsis's entire statement.
Not once is any sort of remorse even hinted at, at no point is any promise made to do right by fans in the future. You might hate to hear this, but the Capitals could learn a lot from the Pittsburgh Penguins in striking the right tone. Four words into their statement and the word 'apology' was already used, you won't read that word once in Leonsis's statement.
Caps fans, you deserve a lot better than this, and hopefully this organization knows it and is ready to acknowledge it through action. We'd be more than pleased if all this statement meant was that Ted's take needs a new editor.
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