Fans support owners in CBA showdown

TORONTO (Reuters) -- Hockey fans are backing NHL owners in their showdown with the players' union over a new collective bargaining agreement, according to the results of a poll released on Thursday.

The survey in the March 16 issue of The Hockey News, 39 percent of 11,000 people responding said they support the NHL's position while just 12 percent supported the players.

The other 49 percent said they favored neither side.

If there is a prolonged work stoppage next season 58 percent of those questioned said the NHL does not risk losing them as a fans, while 26 percent said it does.

The NHL's collective bargaining agreement with the union expires on Sept. 15.

The league claims its member teams lost more than $300 million last season and is demanding "costs linked to revenues guarantees" in any new deal.

The NHL Players' Association translates this as nothing more than a salary cap, something it says it will never except even if it means shutting down the league for two seasons.

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