USHL owner fined $20,000 after doing what was best for his players after a tournament
After a season opening tournament the owner of the USHL's Omaha Lancer's Michael Picozzi made the decision to fly his team home. The decision allowed his team to avoid a 28-hour bus ride. The decision also cost Picozzi a $20,000 fine from the league, but despite receiving the fine Picozzi remains steadfast on his decision.
After receiving the fine Picozzi issued the following statement, claiming he'd done what he felt was best for his players health and safety.
Unfortunately for Picozzi, the USHL has rules forbidding teams from using planes to transport their players. The rule is put in planes because they believe it gives teams with more financial power the ability to more easily recruit players. The rule is meant to avoid providing anyone a competitive edge against the less financially secure teams. Picozzi had reached out to the league for an exemption, but his request was declined.
According to Omaha News last season under previous ownership the Lancers faced backlash after this tournament for breaching federal rules during the bus trip home.
That was an apparent violation of federal motor carrier safety standards, which limit drivers to no more than 10 hours of driving, and only after they are off duty for eight straight hours.
Sources close to the team alleged to The World-Herald that the bus had not stopped to avoid the cost of lodging the players overnight. One source told the paper that 13 hours into the long bus drive, an assistant coach and trainer were talking to the driver to keep her awake, though she assured them she was fine.
Picozzi filed an appeal of this fine, but the league has already ruled against him in this matter.
| POLL | ||
Should Picozzi have been fined for this violation? | ||
| Yes, they league denied his request | 22 | 22.2 % |
| No, a 28 hour trip is unreasonable | 77 | 77.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
