unstoppable run bringing up four winners for the meeting.Lloyd rode a Queensland record seven winners at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday and ended Saturday on 56 metropolitan w

The National Womens Hockey League is slashing its player salaries in half in a drastic cost-cutting measure thats regarded as one of the second-year leagues only chances to continue operating this season.The players have been informed in the interest of keeping the league financially viable that we have to enact salary cuts effective immediately, NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan said during a conference call with reporters Friday.We fell short on some projections and we had to pivot and make a business decision at the end of the day, she said. And the decision was, if we want to exist and we want to save the season, we have to make the appropriate decisions to do so.Without specifying the amount of the cuts, Rylan went public with her announcement a day after she informed team executives and players.A person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that player salaries were cut by 50 percent, which represents as much as $540,000 in savings. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Rylan declined to disclose any figures.Rylan did say the cuts do not apply to league employees and team employees who are not players.She said team executives will have added responsibilities in an effort to increase ticket sales and attract sponsors. The four-team league has franchises in Boston; New York; Stamford, Connecticut; and Buffalo, New York.Rylan also announced Dunkin Donuts, the NWHLs largest corporate sponsor, is committing an additional $50,000 investment in money that will go directly to paying players.She blamed part of the cash-flow crunch on declining attendance a month into the season.Last year, the NWHL became North Americas first womens hockey league to pay player salaries, which range from $10,000 to $26,000.The cuts represent a major setback for an upstart league Rylan established in what was essentially a startup venture supported by investors and corporate sponsors.Midway through last season, Rylan was so confident the NWHL model would be a success that she entertained questions of expansion.Now, there are questions as to whether the league will be around for a third season.I think we can agree after yesterdays news it would be pretty foolish of me to guarantee anything, Rylan said. But we have every hope and expectation that the league will be around for many years to come.New York Riveters defenseman Ashley Johnston said players were shocked upon being informed of the need for pay cuts.When I first heard the news, I think probably gut-wrenching is the best way to describe it, Johnston said. Its kind of going through the different stages of mourning. Youre sad, youre frustrated, all the things that youd expect.Though a setback, she doesnt foresee players choosing to opt out of their contracts.The easy thing right now would be for everyone to pack up their bags and go home, Johnston said. But Im never one to really think that the easy thing is the right thing to do. Its just going to be figuring out our next steps and where we go as a team, as a league and as a family from here.NWHL players options are also very limited when it comes to continuing to play after college.The Canadian Womens Hockey League is a month into its 10th season and the rosters of its five teams -- including one in Boston -- are mostly set.CWHL players also arent paid salaries but instead earn prize money for winning the regular season and playoff titles. The league has announced plans to begin paying players some sort of a stipend as early as next season.Though many in hockey circles -- including Calgary Flames President Brian Burke -- have lobbied for the two leagues to merge, Rylan has been cool to the proposal in part because the two operate on different business models.On Thursday, Rylan said she has had amicable talks with CWHL officials, but added she has nothing new to report on any merger plans.Rylan said she did not reach her decision to cut salaries lightly.It came after trying everything we could from a business perspective to avoid it, Rylan said. Yes, this is a setback. But sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward. And thats what were learning here.---This story has been corrected following a new estimate from a person with direct knowledge of the decision to reflect that the savings are expected to be $540,000, not $440,000, and corrects the spelling of Riveters defensemans name to Johnston, not Johnson.Discount MLB Jerseys . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Cheap MLB Jerseys Nike 2020 . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. 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Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.Most Important has shattered the theory he doesnt like the new Eagle Farm racetrack by giving trainer Tony Gollan back-to-back wins in the Group Three George Moore Stakes.Things didnt go to plan for Most Important ($7), who Gollan thought would share the lead, but he finished strongly to beat Coolring ($16) by 2-3/4 lengths.Trubia ($14) showed he had come back in style finishing third a long neck behind Coolring.Gollan won last years George Moore with Didntcostalot but he sent that gelding to Sydney on Saturday and relied on Most Important in the George Moore (1200m).We gelded him before this campaign and he has been so tough. He had his first start this campaign in the winter carnival but he has just kept trying, Gollan said.Most Important had failed to win in six previous starts at Eagle Farm since its renovation.But that probably isnt fair because he has run some good races at the track, Gollan said.I felt this morning that if he was ever going to win a race at Eagle Farm it would be today.Most Important will now press on to the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes on Doomben on December 17.The gelding is owned by Linda Huddy who with her husband Graham have had many good horsees including Shoot Out (AJC Derby) and Preferment (Victoria Derby).ddddddddddddrainer Desleigh Forster was far from disappointed with the run of favourite Too Good To refuse ($2.90) who came from last at the 300m to finish fifth.He just wouldnt go between horses and when he got to the outside he really motored, she said.Earlier, Jeff Lloyd continued his unstoppable run bringing up four winners for the meeting.Lloyd rode a Queensland record seven winners at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday and ended Saturday on 56 metropolitan winners, 26 in front of second placed Jim Byrne.He won on Dream Finnish ($5.50), Winning Rupert ($1.50), Man of His Word ($1.90) and Brooklyn Storm ($3.70).Winning Rupert and Brooklyn Storm are trained at Warwick Farm by Bjorn Baker and started what could be a big summer for him.Trainer Bruce Hill breathed a sire of relief when Man Of His Word ended a run of unlucky placings.He isnt the sharpest tool around the stable but he is getting better. He is like a lot of the Lope de Vega breed who get better with age, Hill said. ' ' '