By Tom McClimon
March 7, 2005

At the request of Philadelphia Mayor John Street, Conference President Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic established a task force to examine ways mayors can exert pressure on the National Hockey League (NHL) and its players to end their collective bargaining dispute and return to playing hockey. Street will chair this task force composed of mayors from cities with NHL teams.

On a telephone conference call on February 25 between Street and representatives of NHL cities, it was decided to collective economic impact data as to how the NHL lock-out is impacting cities in such areas as tax revenues and jobs. The discussion also included a Conference resolution urging the parties to resume hockey, a possible meeting with the Commissioner of the NHL and members of the NHL Players Association, and other steps cities can take to reclaim financial losses.

On September 15, 2004, the National Hockey League issued a lock-out of its players due to the inability of the League and its players to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. On February 16, the Commissioner of the NHL decided to cancel the remainder of the hockey season.

Additional information about the NHL task force can be obtained by contacting Tom McClimon on the Conference of Mayors staff at (202) 861-6729.