Quote:
Originally Posted by PepsiFree
I’m not sure how I feel about Bettman on the two recent issues, given that his primary contribution has been inaction.
I do find it strange how often people are bringing up that he’s employed by the league and hired by the owners of the teams, though.
If that was a worthwhile excuse, JQ would still have a job. I believe Bettman has enough power and enough away to have influence and, you know, run the league and take responsibility and action on those things that occur under his watch.
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Bettman runs the league's business operations. He doesn't run the individual franchises. Joel Quenneville has been held responsible because he was Brad Aldrich's direct superior, and Stan Bowman has been held responsible because he had the power to fire Aldrich. Bettman wasn't in the chain of command at all. He didn't have the legal authority to intervene, and anything he would have to say on the matter would be legally considered hearsay.
What some people seem to overlook is that the NHL is not the police. Sexual assault isn't a violation of the rules of hockey; it's a crime. This whole matter should have been in the hands of the police and the courts from the beginning. The people directly involved deserve punishment because they covered it up to keep law enforcement from getting involved. Bettman's attitude in this whole matter has been unhelpful, and he has at least two feet firmly wedged in his mouth, but he is not one of the guilty parties.