2011 Suffolk-NEHBPA Dispute Timeline
January 26, 2011: In negotiations for the 2011 live racing season, Suffolk Downs offers the New England HBPA $7.5 million in total purses for a 100-day meet, or higher purses for a reduced meet, which would require a change in the state legislation regulating racing days.
See: Suffolk Blues.
January 29, 2011: The New England HBPA, rejecting Suffolk Downs offered terms for a 2011 meet, blocks the Aqueduct simulcasting signal. The NEHBPA demands $10.6 million in total purses, no reduction in the legally mandated number of race days, and a 50-50 simulcasting revenue split.
See: Wild Talk in NE; The Other Side; Stalemate Update.
February 5, 2011: Negotiations at a standstill, the Ohio and Florida horsemens’ groups pull the Beulah, Tampa Bay, and Gulfstream simulcasting signals from Suffolk Downs in solidarity with the NEHBPA.
See: Digging In; “A Slap in the Face.”
February 9, 2011: Oregon horsemen pull the Portland Meadows signal.
See: The Impasse, Continued; Suffolk Scene; Negotiations to Resume?
February 10, 2011: The NEHBPA presents Suffolk Downs with a counter-offer for the upcoming meet. Horsemen hold firm on their earlier demands for purses, days, and the simulcasting split, but do concede purse guarantees. Maryland horsemen pull the Laurel simulcasting signal from the track. Suffolk Downs threatens legal action against the NEHBPA.
See: Point by Point; New Proposal, Laurel Cut; Sharing the Risk.
February 14, 2011: On the first Saturday that many Massachusetts bettors are unable to wager on Gulfstream, Aqueduct, and several other signals, Rockingham Park, in New Hampshire, and other nearby facilities report an increase in attendance and handle.
See: Betting Elsewhere.
February 15, 2011: Suffolk Downs replies by letter to the NEHBPA proposal. The communication is not a formal response, but a request to restore simulcasting signals, and a counter-argument to assertions made by the horsemen’s group in support of their demands.
See: Suffolk Responds; 100 Days or No Days.
February 17, 2011: Negotiations resume.
See: Later Today; Horsemen, Suffolk Talk.
February 21, 2011: There are indications of a breakthrough in talks.
See: No Consensus (Yet); NEHBPA Discussions Continue; It’s Not Critical; Proposal Revised, Talks Continue.
February 25, 2011: After several days of discussion, the NEHBPA rejects the latest offer from Suffolk Downs, which raised total purses to $8.4 million for 75-85 days of racing and provided for an equitable simulcasting split. The track also asked that the horsemen agree to not oppose legislation reducing race days. In a late-night development, however, the NEHBPA announces it will accept a modified offer, one that provides $8.25 million for 100 days.
See: What’s Next?; Unaminously Accepted.
February 27, 2011: Suffolk Downs officials state the NEHBPA accepted an offer that was never made and reject the proposal.
See: The Offer That Isn’t; “Sink or Swim.”
March 1, 2011: Following additional talks, Suffolk Downs and the NEHBPA agree in principle to terms for the upcoming meet.
See: Almost There.
March 4, 2011: An agreement is announced. Suffolk Downs and the NEHBPA agree to a two-year contract that provides $8.25 million in total purses for 80 days and a 50-50 simulcasting split. The agreement also stipulates that the backstretch will be open from April to November and that the NEHBPA will remain neutral on race-day legislation.
See: Suffolk Deal Struck; The 80-Day Compromise.
Timeline originally published on 2/8/2011 and updated through 3/5/2011.
