from Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger,

Padlocked hockey arenas hurt many people, and that includes some who usually receive little or no sympathy from fans — player agents. If the lockout drags on, they will feel the pinch.

“Big time. No question about it. You get paid when players get paid,” said Mark Gandler, whose agency International Sports Advisors is located in Franklin Lakes.

“At least in the past during the lockout players would get a stipend (from an NHL Players Association) fund. I think it was $5,000 or $10,000. Agents don’t get a stipend, and I don’t have any other work that I do. So it’s difficult.”

The impact is felt personally and professionally.

“This is our revenue. No business can operate without any revenue,” said Lewis Gross of Sports Professional Management in Englewood Cliffs, which represents players such as Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“A lot of agencies bill (clients) twice a year. We bill at the midpoint of the season and we bill when the season is over. So when you go an entire season without hockey, you’re looking at a long time in between. Not many businesses could survive that in any walk of life.”

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