The evidence is that nothing happens. So the economic activity is identical in periods when there was a strike or lockout compared to periods where there was not.... They're not going to see [hockey] anymore but that doesn't mean they're not going to spend their money. They spent their money on some sort of substitute entertainment.
— That's the University of Alberta's Brad Humphreys talking about the economic impact an NHL work stoppage might have on the overall economy. The University of Ottawa's Marc Lavoie is also quoted in the article saying, "Arenas and stadiums are like black holes, in the sense that people bring money in and then it disappears, it isn't recirculated in the area."
