Tuesday, August 28, 2012

How Hockey Fans Can Punish NHL For Pending Lockout

NHL fans are once again staring down the barrel of Gary Bettman's gun, with yet another lockout appearing more likely by the day. Us die hard fans can't help but feel helpless in a process where we have no voice. While we feel rage against the NHL machine, there is one way that we can make our voices heard. Make the NHL feel our pain if they choose to force a work stoppage; and that is by boycotting every single NHL sponsor (credit Puck Daddy). The Marek Vs Wyshynski podcast mostly promoted an "occupy movement" targeting the NHL store, but also addressed a the possibility of a boycott of sponsor's products. Clearly the boycott is the best possible idea, and one that needs to go viral.

We the fans need to organize into a cohesive consumer unit. We are very loyal fans and will likely return to the rinks if there is another prolonged lockout as Gary suggests. But if we can organize a mass boycott of NHL sponsors and are actually able to have an impact on their bottom line, that's the only thing that will put sufficient pressure on the league to get back on the ice. It is imperative that we draw a line in the sand here and now and exercise our collective power to affect change, lest we doom ourselves to work stoppages every few years. Lets send a message to Gary Bettman that he can't silence the voice of the voiceless.

If you are anything like me, I've peaked your interest. To participate, do not buy any products from the companies listed below. These are the "corporate marketing partners" listed on NHL.com. If you want to try and affect a speedier resolution to this stalemate, take the pledge and join the boycott. It even includes Tim Hortons, which might be difficult for some people. You're right Gary, myself and others will return to watching hockey when it resumes, but that doesn't mean that I have to drink Gatorade, Molson Canadian, Coors Light, or Pepsi Max in the meantime. I don't have to eat Lays potato chips. Maybe I can't eat just one, but I can sure as shit eat none. Please, help me help you help the game of hockey; and take the pledge.

The Pledge: Put one hand in the air and one hand on your heart. Repeat the words "I (insert name) pledge not to buy products from the following companies until a new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement is signed."

NHL Sponsors
Bridgestone
EA Sports
Cisco
Compuware
Coors
Enterprise
Gatorade
Lays
Molson Canadian
Pepsi Max
Reebok
Westin Hotels
Sirius radio
Ticketmaster
Bell
Canadian Tire
Hershey's
Kraft
Scotiabank
Tim Hortons
Visa
Discover card
Geico
Honda
MacDonalds
Verizon

3 comments:

  1. This is great. I couldnt agree more with this strategy. Is there a way we could link the sponsors names with an email address to their respective public relations offices. The boycott will be effective but it may not be measured on the balance sheets of each company for some time. I think the goal should be to show how many NHL fans are prepared to and will practice a boycott of these NHL sponsors via mass emails to each. This will hopefully speed the process and increase pressure on these sponsors to weigh in on these CBA negotiations sooner than later.

    Nice work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is great. I couldnt agree more with this strategy. Is there a way we could link the sponsors names with an email address to their respective public relations offices. The boycott will be effective but it may not be measured on the balance sheets of each company for some time. I think the goal should be to show how many NHL fans are prepared to and will practice a boycott of these NHL sponsors via mass emails to each. This will hopefully speed the process and increase pressure on these sponsors to weigh in on these CBA negotiations sooner than later.

    Nice work.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree and would participate in the boycott, but Pat is right. The companies need to know we are boycotting them, and just how many we are.

    ReplyDelete