President Obama weighs in on NHL labor dispute

After two days of federal mediation, a top Obama administration official had something to say about the NHL’s prolonged labor dispute.

In fact, it happened to be the official at the very top: President Obama.

Frank Vascellaro, a reporter for WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, had the chance to interview the president and asked about the lockout. He pointed out that Minnesota is known as a hockey state and asked if Obama would be “willing to intervene” in the matter.

The president gave a fairly lengthy answer but, unfortunately for hockey fans, it does not appear as though he would be getting involved. (Two days of federal mediation have not generated any traction in the talks between the NHL and the NHL Players Assn.)

“You know, look. I’ve got to say, because we’ve had an NBA lockout, we’ve had an NFL lockout during the course of my presidency, the president of the United States shouldn’t have to get involved in a sports lockout,” Obama said, according to WCCO’s transcript. “My message to owners and to players is, you guys make a lot of money and you make a lot of money on the backs of fans, so do right by your fans.

“You can figure out how to spread out a bunch of revenue that you’re bringing in, but do right by the people who support you. And I shouldn’t have to be involved in a dispute between really wealthy players and even wealthier owners.

“They should be able to settle this themselves. And remember who it is that’s putting all that money in their pockets.”

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