I have been lucky enough to meet IOC senior member Dick Pound.
He is an accomplished Canadian who should be applauded for his work in ethics in sports. I recall him being very polite and gracious when we met, over a decade ago.
Pound was on Prime Time Sports yesterday saying the NHL has betrayed their global fan base, and their own players, because the league has decided not to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Earlier this week the league announced that any player under an NHL contract, no matter where they play, will not be able to represent his specific country.
I couldn’t disagree with Pound more. Highly paid NHL athletes are assets to the owners in this league. It’s not that often that players cut owners a break in salary, nor should they.
So if NHL owners who sign the cheques for these players don’t see value in allowing players to go overseas in 2018, that’s their prerogative.
It’s not betrayal, it’s business.