Commissioner Gary Bettman

[Sample00]

After watching yesterday's first round draft and the chorus of boos that started with Bettmans introduction and continued whenever he stepped up to the microphone, it had me wondering why all the hate.

IMHO, Bettman is one of the main reasons why we continue to have more than two teams in Canada and why the game has grown as much as it has in the US.

Has there been mistakes made? Sure. The Coyotes come to mind. Lower attendance in areas like Florida. We've had some work stoppages but I think they were needed to sustain the NHL.

However, TV revenues have increased. We have a working frame work for player salaries that is tied to revenue. We have strong teams in Canada. We have a level playing field for all teams and truly, anyone can win at anytime.

Is it a case of, he's an easy target much like our politicians. Is it because he is a lawyer? What do you think it is?

[N-E-B]

Agreed, he really isn't that bad and he takes a lot of undeserved crap from fans. I feel bad for the guy. I know I wouldn't like being booed by fans every time I did something, and that's why I personally have never and will never boo him.

[Hanna Sniper]

He will always be the guy that broke the unions back and for that I'm a big fan

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

He will always be the guy that broke the unions back and for that I'm a big fan

Not really, Bettman thought he won in 94 and again in 2004 and again in 2012, but the players are richer than ever.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Not really, Bettman thought he won in 94 and again in 2004 and again in 2012, but the players are richer than ever.

Which is a very good thing in my opinion. Bettman DID win each of those times, and the proof for that is in the fact that the hockey is the best it has ever been, and the League is also making more money than at any other time in history.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Sample00

After watching yesterday's first round draft and the chorus of boos that started with Bettmans introduction and continued whenever he stepped up to the microphone, it had me wondering why all the hate.

IMHO, Bettman is one of the main reasons why we continue to have more than two teams in Canada and why the game has grown as much as it has in the US.

Has there been mistakes made? Sure. The Coyotes come to mind. Lower attendance in areas like Florida. We've had some work stoppages but I think they were needed to sustain the NHL.

However, TV revenues have increased. We have a working frame work for player salaries that is tied to revenue. We have strong teams in Canada. We have a level playing field for all teams and truly, anyone can win at anytime.

Is it a case of, he's an easy target much like our politicians. Is it because he is a lawyer? What do you think it is?

It's because he's been the commissioner that's presided over 3 separate lockouts which is bad for the game and fans alike. Sure, the economics of the game are better in arena, but national TV deals are awful and regressing.

He's also been a big part of moving teams away from hockey markets into non-hockey markets in an attempt to grow the game. Credit to building strong bases in California, but that's due more to the ownership and management in those areas, as well as a strong economy there. The south east has been abysmal, but again I credit that to the lack of success of the franchises more than directly his fault.

Plus, he's generally kind of a weaselly guy that doesn't have many likable qualities as a person. I do however think he's very smart, but doesn't really seem like a true hockey guy. He rather seems like a guy who realizes what a marketable commodity is and wants to build it. I'd rather someone who has his smarts but has a true passion for the game.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Not really, Bettman thought he won in 94 and again in 2004 and again in 2012, but the players are richer than ever.

So is the league.

Getting the union to agree to a salary cap was a huge win no matter how you look at it.


Sent from 6 feet under

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Not really, Bettman thought he won in 94 and again in 2004 and again in 2012, but the players are richer than ever.

So you're telling me the union didn't get busted by Bettman

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Sample00

After watching yesterday's first round draft and the chorus of boos that started with Bettmans introduction and continued whenever he stepped up to the microphone, it had me wondering why all the hate.

I don't think it's hate. It's tradition. The boos are insincere.

[Poe969]

I agree, I think they boo him because it's what people do. He saved hockey. Sure players are richer than ever but without a cap, most Canadian teams would have folded and it wouldn't be fair

Bettman saved the NHL.

[SportsJunky]

His smarmy attitude probably doesn't help things.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Plus, he's generally kind of a weaselly guy that doesn't have many likable qualities as a person. I do however think he's very smart, but doesn't really seem like a true hockey guy. He rather seems like a guy who realizes what a marketable commodity is and wants to build it. I'd rather someone who has his smarts but has a true passion for the game.

Well, I wont comment on his appearance or personality however you might be right that he's not a true "hockey guy" but I think he knows alot more about the game now given how long he's been the guy.
I think its a good thing that he can separate the passion from the business side of things. We need someone that can have a level head and do whats good for the business, rather than making emotional decisions that could be detrimental.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

...he's generally kind of a weaselly guy that doesn't have many likable qualities as a person...

Have you met him?

I will agree that he presents himself as a "weaselly guy", but I also always thought that was part of his schtick. It works extremely well for him, but without actually knowing him, how much can we really know about Bettman the person?

[Erick Estrada]

I like him and honestly feel bad that he gets booed at every draft and Stanley Cup presentation. Say what you want but he's been a lot less greasy than Bud Selig and David Stern. Also when you look at where the NHL is today (best footing ever in North American Professional Sports) I feel he's really been under appreciated by NHL fans.

[snowdude]

Maybe a good place to put this link:

The Sheer Joy of Draft-Watching Gary Bettman

And make no mistake, Bettman seems to relish the moment. This is a guy, after all, who spends pretty much all of his time getting pelted with hockey-fan venom. Whether he’s introducing the draft or giving a press conference or handing out the Stanley Cup, he’s basically on the receiving end of a nonstop barrage of negativity. Why wouldn’t he savor the one opportunity to soak in some good vibes?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

So you're telling me the union didn't get busted by Bettman

The union is still here, so no it didn't get busted.

[Flame On]

Agreed Textcritic. I'm always sticking up for him to my mother who accuses him of being a rat.
And yes people, he wears a suit. Oh my he wears a suit what a devil!

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Which is a very good thing in my opinion. Bettman DID win each of those times, and the proof for that is in the fact that the hockey is the best it has ever been, and the League is also making more money than at any other time in history.

I think you must be the only person who thinks Bettman won in 94 but there are lots of excuses why he lost so badly. It took him 18 years to get the finances back in order.

[driveway]

[bucksmasher]

its because he's a lawyer