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ICE PRINCESSES WHIFF ON HOCKEY BOYCOTT; USA HOCKEY DELIVERS ULTIMATUM

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY MARCH 20, 2017) — The balderdash that has ruined professional sports has trickled down like warm yellow eating its way through a long day’s snow. Even the women’s games have felt the effect of Caesar‘s pecuniary renderings. Sharpen your blades, girls, and may you always be a tad late on the faceoff.

USA Hockey, the parent organization for the U.S. Olympic efforts, has gone public, revealing the demands of its women’s team. The ice princesses’ insistences amount to a 5-on-3 advantage. So far, the ladies’ power play hasn’t worked. USA Hockey has held firm on its revised offer, one that would boost the gals’ current compensation by 50%.

USA Hockey has had enough of ladygreed. It has issued an ultimatum: By Thursday of this week, the women have to state their intentions — final answer, no lifelines — regarding whether or not they shall grace the upcoming World Championships, scheduled to begin in Michigan on March 31. The femgliders say they will take their pucks and go home. They are currently boycotting the event.

Practice for the U.S. women’s team is scheduled to begin tomorrow. By taking the unusual step of going public with the negotiations, at least their side of it, USA Hockey has demonstrated the equity of its position and the corresponding gluttony of the players’ inflated view of themselves and their game, even as it is among the best in the world of female hockey.

According to USA Hockey, the women’s team is demanding:

— Total compensation of $210,000 per player in an Olympic year for a silver medal, $237,000 for a gold. For non-Olympic years, the ladies want between $146,000 and $149,000 per player per year.

— The figures do not include team operational expenses, housing, travel allowances, meal money, medical and disability insurance, and “elite-level” support staff (eunuchs to give nightly backrubs and pedicures, perhaps?). Those costs would be picked up by USA Hockey.

— First-class airfare on all flights.

— Nanny support.

Crazy, especially when you consider that, compared to the faster, stronger, and bigger men’s game, women’s hockey moves in slow motion, with little hitting. Hockey that lacks elite speed and crashing into the boards is little more than pee-wee competition. USA Hockey has offered the women $90,000 per year for gold-medal performances and $74,000 per player for the silver. Moreover, the parent organization pays for housing, travel, meals, insurance (medical and disability), and staffing. In non-Olympic years, players are together for 60 days — a mere two months of work. For that they would receive $24,000 plus performance bonuses of $7,500. USA Hockey would pick up all other expenses.

How can this team publicly claim that USA Hockey is cheating them and that all they want is “a living wage?” These athletes, acting more like bimbos than intelligent women, do not appreciate the irony of their insulting stance.

They claim USA Hockey doesn’t do enough to promote the women’s game while at the same time refusing to play in a prime-time tournament that does exactly that. To add melted ice to injury, one of the girls went to Twitter to respond to USA Hockey’s position. Hilary Knight, a forward, tweeted: “Lol.”

“Lol.”

That gives you insight into the depth of thinking and the seriousness behind this pampered, over-indulged team.

THE PLANET still thinks USA Hockey will cave in the end. Millennials want it all, they want it now, and they don’t want to pay for it. The petulant babes want a sugar daddy. It would be a mistake for USA Hockey to become one.

——————————————————————————

“Gold digger: Like a hooker. Just smarter.”Sir Tiberius Fruitjuice

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The views expressed in the comment section or opinions published within the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not those of PLANET VALENTI or endorsed in any way by PLANET VALENTI. This website reserves the right to remove any comment that violates its Rules of Conduct, and it is not liable for the consequences of any posted comment, written word, or information from any source other than PLANET VALENTI as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and PLANET VALENTI’s terms of service. All users of the services of PLANET VALENTI agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice.

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heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

I think Alex Rodriguez was making over 25 million bucks a year.

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

Although Alex Rodriguez was paid obscene amount of money, he didn’t demand it. Teams bid for his services. Pre steroid era he was a giant draw and he put fans in the seats for Seattle, Texas and New York. Teams sold a lot of Alex Rodriguez merchandise too.

heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

Alex was playing a game he loved, for only part of the year and got to date the hottest girls on the planet. Getting 25 million a year on top of that? some may think that is not quite right either

Rocky Creed
Rocky Creed
7 years ago

This story rivals the stupid discussion on paying college athletes. Very few play sports for the love of the game. JPP just got a 4 year $62 million deal with $40 million guaranteed from the NY Giants. And he has only 1 hand. But if he is your son do you ask him “is that all you could get?” All pro sports pay scales are and have been out of control for a long time, and will only get worse.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Rocky Creed
7 years ago

Is there a pay scale for one handed and two handed players? What would this guy be worth if he had ten digits?

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

If our country wants women to win a gold medalstandard then pay them gold medal wages.WOW America is returning to when men were in control of their women and minorities. Men rationalize how much they respect women as long as men have control.

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Snowflakes are afraid of women and minorities.

Ghidora
Ghidora
7 years ago

Helen Moon, candidate for Ward 1 opening is yet another extreme left radical progressive. But what should we expect around here?

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Ghidora
7 years ago

She worked at Dotties. We all know the suits hobnob there often. Anyone seen the Superintendant, School Committee members and Sheran all having drinks outside on the sidewalk? I have.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Ghidora
7 years ago

Another moon bat in a pussy hat…..and then there’s that clown Ty Allen Jackson. Is there someone out there with a brain who will run against the insanity?

C. Trzcinka
C. Trzcinka
7 years ago

Women’s hockey? Is today a slow news day? Comey is speaking before the House Intelligence Committee, the G20 has dropped its brief against protectionism, Pittsfield reported no shots fired and nobody mugged (that’s real news) and the Planet covers the negotiation of a small group of millennials who think people watch their sport?

..and I thought the Olympics was about amateur sports…

Ghidora
Ghidora
Reply to  C. Trzcinka
7 years ago

I think Dan is trying to deflect from Trump’s issues with all this hockey crap. Trump went way over the line with accusing Obama of wiretapping him. One of the dumbest things I’ve even seen a POTUS do.
And who gives a f*** about women’s hockey??

Linda
Linda
7 years ago

Well I think that the story is a good one. The demands of the women’s team are outrageous. It’s supposed to be amateur sports, played at a high level for the love of the game. $237,000 a year plus all expenses shouldbe enough to live on.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Linda
7 years ago

Has management tried offering them a full set of Tupperware? Women go crazy for this stuff at parties.

John Grogan
John Grogan
Reply to  Linda
7 years ago

Linda, Olympic sports hasn’t been about the love of the game, whatever game it might be, for a very long time. And $237k should be enough to live on…that’s what the women are asking. The offer is FAR less. And while they’re together only 2 months in off years, although I believe it’s far more than that, they need to work constantly to stay in world-class athlete shape. They deserve to be compensated.

John Grogan
John Grogan
Reply to  danvalenti
7 years ago

Not what your story says Dan, unless I’m misreading: “…the ladies are demanding…$237,000….USA hockey is offering 90,000.” Both only if they win gold.

John Grogan
John Grogan
Reply to  John Grogan
7 years ago

If the $237k is actually the offer it is more than fair as they do not generate the interest to earn competitive to the men in the marketplace, which was my point in the earlier post.

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

The planet diverts from Trump.The planet can not defend abolishing The Affordable Care Act and he wont and no Trump supporter can support this which tells me the all have good work coverage.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

You don’t even know what’s in the ACA so how can you defend it? Another question you won’t answer. Stick to what you know and you won’t look like such a fool.

Ghidora
Ghidora
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

Defending the repeal of the ACA is very easy and has been very well documented. Where have you been?

Ghidora
Ghidora
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

BTW, the health care coverage I get at work sucks because of Obamacare. Only those getting a free ride from the gov’t defend the ACA.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

Since when do Trump supporters work?

How do you starve a Trump supporter? Hide his food stamps under his work boots.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Dorffy, you’re so funny. You’re the coolest.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  12 Gauge
7 years ago

Speaking of lazy unemployed Deviants that voted for Trump.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

matt (shakes) why are you such a fool and a coward?

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

How am I either of those things? You are the idiot that thinks I’m someone I’m not.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Its obvious matt who you are. Coward

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

I mean really, it is very sweet that you are romantically obsessed with me, but I’m not Matt Dorfmann. there are no M’s, T’s, R’s, or F’s in my name.

and you smell bad too.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Never said you were dorfman

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

I’m not Matt either, retard

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Dorffy, you’re so clever. You’re the coolest.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Dorffy, can I buy a vowel?

Ghidora
Ghidora
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

You’ve got it all backwards. It’s Obama and HRC supporters who don’t work. They get the welfare and SSID votes, not Trump.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Ghidora
7 years ago

If minorities have the race card and women have the gender card, what do rednecks have?

The Trump Card

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Don’t worry Dorff, you still have your EBT card.

Levitan
Levitan
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Work boots are expensive and preferred by honest laborers. I don’t suppose many laborers qualify for food stamps.

Paul
Paul
7 years ago

Who even watches women’s hockey?

Don t
Don t
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

I do, I’ m the locker room towel boy.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
Reply to  Don t
7 years ago

I’m Barrie’s Chaufeur.

Aside; Howdy Doody couldn’t have said it any better, Jonathan

Fugimoto Hockalugi
Fugimoto Hockalugi
Reply to  Don t
7 years ago

Do they change their pads after every period?

Bill Styrgeon
Bill Styrgeon
7 years ago

Dan and PlanetValenti readers, this Saturday,March 25th at Park Sq. we will commemorating the end of the Vietnam War at 10:00 AM. We will also commermorate those Berkshire County citizens who gave their lives. Please join us.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
7 years ago

My favorite response to blogger Dan Valenti’s writings against people who want to live with financial dignity is the bailout of Wall Street in 2008 and 2009. The masses bailed out Wall Street investment firms with trillions of dollars, and bailed out foreign big banks with tens of billions of dollars respectively, which proves we do not live in a true capitalist economic system. Rather, it is all socialism (and sometimes socialism in reverse)! The wealthy see the American people as their insurance policy if they go bankrupt. Wall Street firms are no better than the people blogger Dan Valenti criticizes who ask for handouts from the taxpayers. In fact, I do know and believe that the wealthy receive more corporate welfare from the system of government than the “have-nots” do. Until blogger Dan Valenti justifies the Wall Street bailouts of 2008 and 2009, which were supported by both political parties, then he should stop picking on people who truly need financial and economic help from the government!
– Jonathan Melle

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Johnathan is 100 %correct and about bail outs .The American people are the ACA the American capitalism act….if banks and corporations fail theyou have the masses send them cash…..Trump is a ACA guy just not for the health of the masses.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
7 years ago

How do you know you’re reading one of Donald Trumps books?

It starts on Chapter 11

Two Cents
Two Cents
7 years ago

Mayor Tyer is about to make a serious rookie mistake by calling a news conference tomorrow to defend herself against a critical letter to the editor. In the eternal words of the immortal Peter Arlos- and a quote cited often by Dan Valenti-“Never Chase Criticism”. What would have never become a matter of public discussion or debate will now become one. It’s a purely emotional response that never ends well for an elected official.

Trumped Up
Trumped Up
7 years ago

Will she point her finger in the air?

heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

Armed robbery on Dalton Ave package store? Now that is revitalization.

Trumped Up
Trumped Up
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

They don’t have beer spotter?

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Why did the Trump supporter go to culinary school?

Somebody had to show them how to cook foodstamps!

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

To cook up some.. More Lies.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Dilly Dally
7 years ago

…because Democrats tell the truth all the time. Only Republicans lie. If you believe that lie then……

Bill Q
Bill Q
7 years ago

Don”t look now, but Solar Panels have invaded our community. I’ve seen at least three sites with the one at Churchill.

Bill Q
Bill Q
7 years ago

Solar works,but cost to install, it will cost a fortune and is not especially attractive, sort of like what a Dish Set Up does to a house. I’m sure one of are connected pols has stuck their no$e in developement, got half a million?

The Green Commision is asking a gentlemen concerning the process, and they seem to know what the answers to the questions are. he guy looks to have a solar panel sic , on his head. Everyone is for developement and clean energy is great, problem is putting these sites in residential neighborhoods like Churchill. Surprised those residents didn’t complain.

Bill Q
Bill Q
7 years ago

Our and the…. duh.

mi
mi
7 years ago

.Cotton Candy is on. Everything is Great !

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
7 years ago

Solar panels are ugly, should not be allowed on fronts of homes, and should not be subsidized with tax breaks or any other way because that raises costs for the rest of us. And they kill birds.

mi
mi
7 years ago

The Cultural Commission is looking to paint a mural on one of the Tyler Street Buildings. Hess Forest is one at the top of the list. Eight Fifty has been allocated to fund it.

gocometti
gocometti
7 years ago

Murals in Morningside ? Good Luck with that. The City can’t take care of the murals it has….now it wants to paint more ?

Trumped Up
Trumped Up
7 years ago

One of these days we wake up and Trump has us at War. It’s inevitable. That is his intent.

Trumped Up
Trumped Up
7 years ago

You guys are missing the whole point here. The girls want fair market value for their talents. Someone brought up A Rod making twenty million? Peanuts for the girls and A Rod. What about Ellen DeGeneres, she makes millions as a Comedian, net worth over 300 million, is she worth it? Pay the girls!

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
Reply to  Trumped Up
7 years ago

In the professional woman’s hockey league, NWHL, the teams pay $15,000 to $25,000 per year to players. The teams’ whole budgets are about $275,000. I think that any amateur hockey player , man or women, should not make more than a professional player at any level.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
7 years ago

Mark Tully: “At ceiling, Pittsfield confronts reality”
By Mark Tully, Op-Ed, The Berkshire Eagle, March 20, 2017

PITTSFIELD — There is a common misconception that I hear often. People have the impression that since the city is close to the Prop 2.5 ceiling, the voters will be asked repeatedly to pass overrides in order to increase our tax levy. Some people say that there is no way the citizenry will pass a property tax increase. Other people say that once deep service cuts are apparent, the people will pony up and pass an override.

To these people, I have bad news. Proposition 2.5 does not allow for a voter supported override.

A Proposition 2.5 override is not permitted to increase the tax levy beyond 2.5 percent of the “Full and Fair Cash Value” of the community’s property. This is the levy ceiling which cannot be surpassed. The only way to increase our levy is to significantly increase the “Full and Fair Cash Value” of the community through growth.

Is there cause for concern? Yes, we must all become aware of the financial dilemma facing our city. At the joint City Council /School Committee meeting at the end of January, a five-year financial forecast was presented by the Collins Center for Public Management at UMass Boston. This study, paid for by a grant, forecasts conservatively what the city’s spending will be for five years, based on historical trends and current contractual obligations. Of course, the inevitable increases in health care, salaries and retirement benefits are the main cost drivers. Then the study looks at revenues where property taxes account for over 50 percent with very little growth in sight.

Shocking shortfalls

The comparison of revenues to expenditures is shocking. Next fiscal year, we will be more than $3 million short. For FY 2019 we will be more than $7 million short, FY 2020 more than $10 million, FY 2021 more than $14 million and FY 2022 more than $18 million.

These figures represent our cost overruns of doing business in the same manner as we have been doing for last 14 years. Except now, because of the Proposition 2.5 ceiling, we are not allowed to raise our taxes and cannot continue “business as usual.”

We must make smart reductions this year and every year in the future. If health care increases 5 percent, we need to either cut a service by the same amount or decrease the health care benefits to employees. If the school department is to receive a contractual $1 million in salary increases, then we need to cut more services in the city budget or discontinue popular but not required school programs. This is not hypothetical, it is our new reality.

An opposition argument I hear often is that we must increase our tax base to solve our revenue shortfall. Yes, increasing our tax base IS the only solution. However that is similar to me saying I need to win the Powerball lottery to plan my retirement. The forecasted spending would require Pittsfield to find second home owners to build 1,000 luxury condos each year. Or a project on the scale of the MGM Casino that Springfield is building. We need to understand that in order to increase our tax levy by $1 million, (which is only a fraction of the annual levy increase), Proposition 2.5 ceiling mandates that we build $40 million of new growth into our value. Growth on a scale of this magnitude is not possible.

Are there other communities in Massachusetts at or near their ceiling? Yes, Springfield is at its ceiling, but it hopes the MGM Casino project stimulates growth. In addition to Springfield, Avon and Holyoke are the only other communities that have been at their ceiling. Pittsfield is next in line, Holbrook and Longmeadow are close but can still increase their tax levies by 6 percent, staving off the inevitable for a few years.

Last year, I had the good fortune to tag along with my wife, [Ward 1 City Councilor] Lisa, to Holyoke. Lisa made an appointment to meet with the Holyoke treasurer and auditor to learn how they operate without being able to increase the tax levy. Holyoke has many challenges and its underperforming school system was a major problem. When the Holyoke school system was taken over by the state last year, ironically, it financially helped the city. This year, to meet budget constraints, Holyoke had to close a fire station; consolidate department personnel and reduce staff by not replacing retirees. These are just a few of the savings Holyoke has to implement each year.

Diet and exercise

So how does Pittsfield move forward in the face of such financial challenges? There isn’t a quick solution, this is a way of life change. I think of a Type 2 diabetic when the only way to reverse the disease and regain a high quality of life is through diet and exercise. We must put ourselves on a strict diet, but not a starvation diet because we must also exercise. Any increase to a department’s budget must be determined if it will help the city grow and any decrease must be judged on if it will cause the city’s growth to shrink. For example, would foregoing school department raises create a negative impact to the city? Or, would foregoing popular school department programs to pay for the raises have a negative impact on our city?

These are the decisions now before us. We cannot have it all. The credit card is max’d out and the savings account is depleted. We are all affected by this and are all in it together.

In closing, when we concluded our interview with Holyoke, Lisa asked the auditor if there is a bright side to being at their tax ceiling. He responded: Yes, because it forces public officials to finally make the unpopular but prudent financial decisions that they should have been making all along.

Mark Tully is a resident of Pittsfield and sales manager for Kidde-Fenwal Controls, an electrical/electronics manufacturer.

Wilson
Wilson
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
7 years ago

Smokescreen. As the levy ceiling approached the most luxurious building project in the city’s history was pushed through, followed the largest raises ever, along with unprecedented early contract renewals and a hiring binge. All this was done to lock in taxpayers’ obligations, and we’re supposed to be believe that this deeply corrupt administration can come up with “smart reductions”? There needs to be a purge, and people need to go to jail and have their assets seized to set an example for their replacements.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Wilson
7 years ago

No more automatic yearly raises for those working for the city. This should be a basic step toward economic survival.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

No raises for anyone!!!!

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Matt (shakes) you are pathetic.

the School Committee
the School Committee
7 years ago

Marchettis budget this year….Yon and Amuso said yes to every program that did not work.Instead of removing the program to try something else they keep the failed program and add a new one.Behnke can’t add.