On September 15th, 2012, we are organizing a social media protest and merchandise boycott of the National Hockey League, secondary to the inability of the NHL and the NHL Players Union to develop a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Gary Bettman has set his deadline day for September 15th; now we have set ours.
- #UnfollowNHLSept15 is taking a neutral position on the CBA negotiations. Neither side is desperate for money in their pockets, and ultimately, their inability to compromise results in hurting the fans more than anyone else.
- #UnfollowNHLSept15 does not have the delusion that by unfollowing the NHL and NHL players on Twitter and unliking them on Facebook, we can prevent a 2012 NHL lockout. Rather, this is one way for fans to show unity and to send a message to the NHL, its franchises and its players that we are unhappy their inability to compromise.
- #UnfollowNHLSept15 needs people- and a lot of people. This will only make an impact if we get enough people on board. We are also looking for people to actively help promote and expand the movement. Suggestions and ideas are always welcome.
SUGGESTION LIST FOR TAKING PART IN #UNFOLLOWNHLSEPT15
- Spread the movement. Hashtag #UnfollowNHLSept15 on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and all other social media sites. Make it your Facebook status, blog about it, talk to other hockey fans about it. This is a grassroots movement that needs your help.
- Stop purchasing official NHL merchandise, effective immediately. I know you want to show off a new Parise or Nash jersey, but it can wait. The hardest place to hit the NHL is in its wallet.
- Avoid NHL.com and the franchise sites to reduce website traffic. However, we strongly encourage you to keep supporting your local media outlets and beat writers for hockey news!
- If you are a season ticket holder, consider withholding your payments until a CBA agreement is worked out.
- If there is still no CBA as of September 15th, 2012, we are calling on all hockey fans to stage a social media protest by “unfollowing” and “unliking” official NHL-related Twitter accounts and players. On that day, we want to see the numbers drastically drop to show a unified statement that we do not support their inability to compromise, and we want our hockey back.
Please find us throughout the internet:
Twitter: @UnfollowNHLSept15 (and remember to hashtag #UnfollowNHLSept15)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UnfollowNHLSeptember15
Tumblr: http://unfollownhlsept15.tumblr.com/
Or contact us via email at UnfollowNHLSept15@yahoo.com.