NHL Blitzes North America With an Apology

The National Hockey League finally kicks off its 2012-2013 season tomorrow, but before it drops the puck, it has something to say to its fans: So sorry 'bout that four-month lockout. The NHL took out full-page ads in about 40 newspapers in Canada and the United States yesterday, including both national papers and at least one in each city of the NHL's 30 teams, apologizing for the dispute that reduced this season from 82 games to 48, reports the CBC.

"From today forward, we will do everything we can to make this season worth the wait," said the NHL in the ad. But color Adweek's David Gianatasio unimpressed. He quips, "The second paragraph starts, 'We are committed to earning back your trust and support.' Placing a period after the first five words would've summed up the position of owners and players quite nicely." (More hockey stories.)