Ducks Don’t Get Golden Parachute

Let’s see, $90 million for Michael Ovitz not to work for Disney?

At the Ducks’ current payroll of about $17 million, that would pay the entire team’s salaries for more than five seasons.

It would also pay both of Disney’s pro sports teams, the Ducks and Angels, for about two seasons. (The Angels’ payroll was about $27 million last season but will go up.)

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Despite statements by team and arena officials that the Pond’s ice surface has improved, it doesn’t pass muster in the eyes of the person whose opinion ought to matter most: Paul Kariya.

“It’s wet and slow, just heavy ice,” Kariya said. “It hasn’t gotten better. I’m not an expert at making it, but I know good ice.”

The NHL announced last week it will make periodic checks because of complaints about the ice in some rinks.

Anaheim team and arena officials say substantial measures have been taken to improve the ice--including the purchase of $500,000 in dehumidification and climate-control equipment--and that referees have consistently rated the ice “good” or “excellent” in post-game reports this season.