I did not back the players, but I also will not back the owners. WHY? well that part is easy. The players demanded more money in their contracts, and the owners SIGNED those contracts. Only team to actually turn down players who arbitrated and won (they did it twice) was Boston. KOODOS for Boston. And yes Boston is American and I am Canadian.
IMO, the owners and the players both messed up the whole system, all for the bottom dollar. Used to be able to go to a game and afford to sit near the redline. Now, if there is a redline, I need to remorgage the house to go.