National Hockey League club owners, stuck in the 98th day of a lockout in a labor dispute with players, have scheduled a January 14 meeting at which they could wipe out the entire 2004-2005 season.
The league could become the first major North American sports league ever to lose an entire season to a labor dispute, with owners demanding a salary cap and players adamant about not allowing such a limit on their earning potential.
While the NHL did not announce an agenda for the meeting, the chance for saving even a reduced season grow slimmer with each passing day, as arena dates are being forfeited 45 days ahead as each day arrives.
Christmas Eve marks 100 days since NHL owners shut down the league, saying some clubs would lose less money not playing under the bargaining agreement that expired in September.
There will be no Christmas gift of games for NHL fans. No negotiations are scheduled.
A decade ago, a similar lockout was settled on January 11 and play resumed 10 days later, allowing a 48-game season to be salvaged. But January 14 becomes the likely "drop dead" date for a settlement or abandonment of the season.
The two sides have not met since December 14 when the NHL rejected a union proposal that included a 24 percent salary cut. The union in return rejected a league counter-proposal.
The league could become the first major North American sports league ever to lose an entire season to a labor dispute, with owners demanding a salary cap and players adamant about not allowing such a limit on their earning potential.
While the NHL did not announce an agenda for the meeting, the chance for saving even a reduced season grow slimmer with each passing day, as arena dates are being forfeited 45 days ahead as each day arrives.
Christmas Eve marks 100 days since NHL owners shut down the league, saying some clubs would lose less money not playing under the bargaining agreement that expired in September.
There will be no Christmas gift of games for NHL fans. No negotiations are scheduled.
A decade ago, a similar lockout was settled on January 11 and play resumed 10 days later, allowing a 48-game season to be salvaged. But January 14 becomes the likely "drop dead" date for a settlement or abandonment of the season.
The two sides have not met since December 14 when the NHL rejected a union proposal that included a 24 percent salary cut. The union in return rejected a league counter-proposal.
