NHL Players Association votes overwhelmingly for Don Fehr to lead group
NY, NY, United States (AHN Sports) – The NHLPA announced that Don Fehr will be its new executive director. Fehr, who has been an unpaid consultant already with the organization, will lead the NHLPA into heated discussions as the CBA expires after the 2011-2012 season.
“We are pleased that the leadership position at the Players’ Association has been filled, and we look forward to working with Don in his new role,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a released statement.
It comes as no surprise that Fehr was voted in by the NHLPA, he’s been working as an unpaid consultant for the group. He is expected to start his job immediately.
“I am both humbled and honored by the expression of confidence that the players’ vote reflects,” Fehr said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working closely with the membership and the Executive Board.”
Fehr, 62, represented baseball players for 33 years with the MLBPA as an executive director from 1983-2009.
The CBA expires following the 2011-12 season. The last talks in 2004 resulted in a lockout season and cancellation of the 2004-2005 campaign.
The sides eventually agreed on a salary cap and the league has seen tremendous growth.
However, players are dismayed with the current agreement that requires a portion of players’ paychecks to be held and vanquished into a fund in escrow to ensure salaries don’t bloat above the percentage of set revenues.
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