Owners offer full season starting Nov 2

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - It may soon be "game-on" for hockey fans left in limbo thanks to the NHL lockout.

The new offer the owners made to the players proposed a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue, and a full 82 game schedule that starts November 2nd.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, “We believe that this was a fair offer for a long-term deal, and its one that we hope gets a positive reaction, so that we can drop the puck on November 2nd.”

NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr said, “What are hope is, is that after we review this, that there will be a feeling on the players side, that this is a proposal from which we can negotiate and try and reach a conclusion.”

So the puck is now in the players’ end and now it’s a matter of time before the players’ union responds to the owners’ offer, but there is definitely a feeling of urgency.

Bettman said, “We're going to be on call to them, they have some work to do internally, obviously we didn't put this proposal, this offer, together overnight. They're going to need a little time to review it, and I'm hoping that review will get us to a positive and constructive place."

A November 2nd start date would extend the season well into June, but the league said the deal would preserve marquee events, like the Winter Classic which is set for January 1st in Michigan.