Bettman signs 7 year contract extension

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

Most people who bad mouth or hate Bettman dont understand what the commissioner's job is.

To the contrary

I think that it is important that the role of commissioner is transitioned properly and think that there is risk in asking someone in their late 60's to have the energy and (possibly) health to do it properly.

i'd have preferred a 3 year term, with the entire term being about transition to his replacement.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Bettman's done more to grow the game then anybody in the history of hockey. No reason to not bring him back

Agree 100%. Well deserved. I heard Bettman speak twice and both times was very impressed with the depth of his knowledge and intelligence. I'm just a bit surprised he wanted to stay on the job this though. Watching his interview to CBC in Calgary recently showed Gary having visible facial tremors, which could be a sign of some age-related health issues. This extension shows that it's not a serious enough concern to him, which is a good thing.

[dino7c]

its unfortunate it came to it but the lockout was worth it for a salary cap

[iggy_oi]

I doubt he plays out the entire contract, it's probably front loaded, with almost nothing in the final 2-3 years. His final F you to the NHLPA

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Agree 100%. Well deserved. I heard Bettman speak twice and both times was very impressed with the depth of his knowledge and intelligence. I'm just a bit surprised he wanted to stay on the job this though. Watching his interview to CBC in Calgary recently showed Gary having visible facial tremors, which could be a sign of some age-related health issues. This extension shows that it's not a serious enough concern to him, which is a good thing.

That's the way he talks, and has had that for years.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by dino7c

its unfortunate it came to it but the lockout was worth it for a salary cap

Absolutely. I 100% agree with this.

But then why did we need to have 3 separate lockouts under his tenure?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

Hockey Fan...call me a cynic, but, I really don't think that the NHL Owners, or Bettman, had Canadian teams' well being on the front burner, as they repeatedly tried to sink the NHLPA.

The Union would have been entirely satisfied if the small market Canadian teams were moved to bigger US markets.

Ed Snider and some of the big team owners in Gary's first lockout, basically backstabbed the rest of the teams and side negotiated with the union while saying F the small market.

Bettman has done more to save Canadian teams then people give him credit for. The Canadian Equalization fund allowed Edmonton and Calgary to stay. Cost certainty and the salary cap and revenue sharing allowed Winnipeg to come back to the league even though their building really isn't an NHL building.

Bettman crushing the union and forcing Goodenov out and then crushing them again allows us to enjoy NHL hockey here instead of cheering for the rivalry between the San Diego Gulls and the Seattle Software. He kicked the chairs out from under the large market owners and strangled their power grip on the fate of the small market teams.

You go Gary. Best commissioner that the NHL has ever had and one of the better pro league commissioners.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

Hockey Fan...call me a cynic, but, I really don't think that the NHL Owners, or Bettman, had Canadian teams' well being on the front burner, as they repeatedly tried to sink the NHLPA.

Bettman convinced the American owners to subsidize our teams in the 90s. Bettman convinced the owners to have a spine in 2004-05, which brought the cost certainty our teams needed.

As far as 2012-13 goes, that lockout was inevitable. The union wanted a war, and went out and got a guy with a pathological hatred of sports owners to lead them.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Absolutely. I 100% agree with this.

But then why did we need to have 3 separate lockouts under his tenure?

Because that's how long it took to get it right.

Ownership was never going to win in 95, they were too divided. That led to 2005 when they finally got their cap, largely thanks to Bettman and the powers the owners gave him. It wasn't perfect though, as smart men figured out how to circumvent the cap with creative contracts. 2013 was the finishes touches and the removal of the loop holes. It was what they initially wanted in 95, and more.

It just took that long because the NHLPA used to be quite stubborn, smart and powerful... most of all they were united. The owners needed 3 punches to knock it out, and they needed Bettman to keep them in line. Personally I support it because Calgary's long term survival is linked to how owner friendly the current CBA is. Had the NHLPA won the last two lockouts, I'm not sure the Flames would even be in Calgary today.

Bettman utterly destroyed the union in 2005. The lockout in 2013 was the owners not letting the union off the mat. It will be very interesting to see if we see lockout v 4.0, the battle for guaranteed contracts. I could see a system where a team is allowed 10 guaranteed contracts or something like that.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

70 by the time this next contract ends eh? One has to wonder if he can physically handle the stresses of the job by that age.

4 fairly recent US presidents were between 68-80 when they left office.

[nfotiu]

I don't like Bettman. I don't find him to be a very bright guy, and I think he's overseen a lot of failings that will hurt the game in the long run.

On ice: The worst possible point system imaginable has killed 3rd periods for years, and is only getting worse. Giving an incentive to play for a tie is about the dumbest thing that any sports league could do.

I don't know of any legitimate sports organization (except maybe FIFA), who has been so neglectful at ignoring head injuries as the NHL currently is. Concussion spotters are a bad joke, and allowing and marketing bare knuckled boxing for so so little gain (at this point) for such great risk are just morally wrong and are going to cost the NHL a lot of money in the long run.

Business side: In the 90s/early 2000s he ompletely igored the fact that there was big money in local and national cable sports contracts while doing everything he could to go after a broadcast contract. He lucked out by jumping on board some of that money late in the game. However, they've put themselves in a position where they are relying on that money while the cable sports bubble is getting ready to implode. And they've done absolutely nothing to try to offset that collapse.

The length of the work stoppages were not really forgiveable in my books, and the sytsem with the cap/floor and little revenue sharing is going to tear apart the league in a few years once the cable sports bubble collapses and the public financing of stadiums continues to trend downward.

He got lucky with timing. Hard for any sports league to not do well with all the RSN money and publc stadium financing. But he's done so little to make a good on ice product that people actually love and has ignored the people who actually watch the game.

He's been completely reactionary and tactical every step of the way, and has never done anything to convince me that he is anything but a small minded fool chasing short term dollars with no absolutely no vision whatsoever.

Hockey is my favorite sport, but the NHL is my least favorite sports league, and Bettman has a lot to do with that.

[Stay Golden]

It is pretty repulsive that the commissioner makes damn sure he has a salary higher than 99 % of all the players in the league.
Disgusting little shrew. Why should anyone be surprised it has always been take care of Gary first.

If he was a player he would be amongst the top 10 highest paid players. Something really wrong with this.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nhl-h...layers-2015-10

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

It is pretty repulsive that the commissioner makes damn sure he has a salary higher than 99 % of all the players in the league.
Disgusting little shrew. Why should anyone be surprised it has always been take care of Gary first.

If he was a player he would be amongst the top 10 highest paid players. Something really wrong with this.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nhl-h...layers-2015-10

What do you think a CEO of a very successful and profitable $9B private cartel should be paid??? The owners have Gary for cheap.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

It is pretty repulsive that the commissioner makes damn sure he has a salary higher than 99 % of all the players in the league.
Disgusting little shrew. Why should anyone be surprised it has always been take care of Gary first.

If he was a player he would be amongst the top 10 highest paid players. Something really wrong with this.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nhl-h...layers-2015-10

Can you explain why this is wrong? Besides the fact he's a disgusting little shrew of course.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

It is pretty repulsive that the commissioner makes damn sure he has a salary higher than 99 % of all the players in the league.
Disgusting little shrew. Why should anyone be surprised it has always been take care of Gary first.

If he was a player he would be amongst the top 10 highest paid players. Something really wrong with this.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nhl-h...layers-2015-10

There's not a single point in this post that isn't completely asinine. Shows a complete lack of understanding of anything.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

It is pretty repulsive that the commissioner makes damn sure he has a salary higher than 99 % of all the players in the league.
Disgusting little shrew. Why should anyone be surprised it has always been take care of Gary first.

If he was a player he would be amongst the top 10 highest paid players. Something really wrong with this.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nhl-h...layers-2015-10

Really a ridiculous post.

That makes little to no sense.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Because that's how long it took to get it right.

Ownership was never going to win in 95, they were too divided. That led to 2005 when they finally got their cap, largely thanks to Bettman and the powers the owners gave him. It wasn't perfect though, as smart men figured out how to circumvent the cap with creative contracts. 2013 was the finishes touches and the removal of the loop holes. It was what they initially wanted in 95, and more.

It just took that long because the NHLPA used to be quite stubborn, smart and powerful... most of all they were united. The owners needed 3 punches to knock it out, and they needed Bettman to keep them in line. Personally I support it because Calgary's long term survival is linked to how owner friendly the current CBA is. Had the NHLPA won the last two lockouts, I'm not sure the Flames would even be in Calgary today.

Bettman utterly destroyed the union in 2005. The lockout in 2013 was the owners not letting the union off the mat. It will be very interesting to see if we see lockout v 4.0, the battle for guaranteed contracts. I could see a system where a team is allowed 10 guaranteed contracts or something like that.

1995 was a completely pointless venture. Accomplished absolutely nothing and entrenched both sides further...resulting in the giant lockout in 2005 and a completely lost season.

2005 was essential. I don't think anyone could argue against it.

2013 was a bailout for the owners who made a giant mess of the 2005 CBA and needed to make some big changes to keep them from harming themselves.

So 1 of the 3 was needed, at least IMO. Bettman has presided over 2 lockouts that could have been avoided, and I disagree with your assessment that they needed 3 attempts to get it done. 1 time should have been enough, but the issue was dragged over 20 years and 3 separate work stoppages. Financially, things are in decent shape for the league now, but I think it came at a pretty hefty cost. Maybe in another 20 years under a different commissioner we will all look back at this current era a little differently. Perhaps I will look at it more favorably and Bettman's supporters will look at him a little more negatively. I think he's done some good and bad things, but he's made a lot of missteps along the way to his good things, so it tempers how I feel about those good things. Ultimately, I think the league is due for a new voice, and that, more than anything, is why I'd like to see a change.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I don't like Bettman. I don't find him to be a very bright guy, and I think he's overseen a lot of failings that will hurt the game in the long run.

(flames radio voice of Peter Loubardias) One word:

Absolutely ridiculous

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Agree 100%. Well deserved. I heard Bettman speak twice and both times was very impressed with the depth of his knowledge and intelligence. I'm just a bit surprised he wanted to stay on the job this though. Watching his interview to CBC in Calgary recently showed Gary having visible facial tremors, which could be a sign of some age-related health issues. This extension shows that it's not a serious enough concern to him, which is a good thing.

Hey, Dr. House, he's always had that weird head shake thing. It's his trademark.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by T@T

(flames radio voice of Peter Loubardias) One word:

Absolutely ridiculous

He's never been able to demonstrate anything resembling vision, strategic thinking, or creativity.

The wins he did get were all either a result of bullying, luck or reactionary. Nothing he has done has persuaded me that he is a talented executive.