The NHL's Almost 30 Year History Under Gary Bettman and His Job Security

Okay, here is a look at why the NHL is very unlikely to even consider parting ways with Gary Bettman.
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[@thecreativehour9091]

His general message: The owners are the problem, Bettman just represents them. And he is 100% right.

[@trvman1]

He is nothing more than a YES man. he is NO different than any other Sport Commissioner. They do what are told and are paid BIG BUCKS to fall on the sword for the owners when things go bad. Just like what the NHL is experiencing now.

[@Buffalosabskis]

He started being disliked when he thought larger non traditional hockey markets would make more money than smaller more traditional hockey markets. Minnesota, Winnipeg, Quebec City, Hartford

[@Fuffffuf]

Also the public is dumb forgetful and easily persuaded

[@Nathanielhiggerson66]

@@Buffalosabskis I think vegas will actually be a goldmine though

[@Buffalosabskis]

@@Nathanielhiggerson66 If they are winning. The thing Bettman knows is that hockey markets that do not have teams watch hockey and support the NHL. Having a team in Vegas is taping into something that was previously providing zero income. It’s also a very large population. If you put a team in Quebec City you are no doubt going to have a dedicated fanbase, but it is a lot of people already viewing games etc.

[@ssboooy4153]

"NHL is always reactionary. They're followers." That should be their slogan

[@southsidesky]

I'm glad that someone other than myself is uncomfortable with betting being so allied with the sport.

[@Phished123]

I love sports betting, it can add a fun dynamic for people that are comfortable and have the money. I do it on occasion, but yeah, its troubling in a lot of ways for betting to be so aligned with the sport. I mean, imagine being someone who is a problem gambler, in PGH, they might have trouble even GOING to a game in person, theres a literal sportsbetting lounge in PPG Paints, they blast the odds on screens all over the arena for BetRivers. Its really a problem. There are ads for sportsbetting all over the tv broadcasts, I know a lot of local pregames have a literal "betting expert" that does a segement on the odds for the night. Its gross, and thats coming from someone who has no problem with the concept of gambling.

[@alexisisanarieka4311]

I'm just as uncomfortable, really don't like how it's a feature in every sport right now, even college which just feels wrong

[@paulb9247]

Betting/gambling has really come on strong in all sports in the last decade, in, it seems, every country. The bookies, the purveyors of misery, sadly a revenue stream for many things (adverts and such), but ultimately themselves, you never see a poor bookmaker.

[@sportsfanatic2163]

Every sport is like this. I don't personally gamble but I always look at the odds pregame for any sport I watch.

[@TheHeston83]

@@leyladerben4227 "Gambling is a vice that corrupts everything it touches" if that were True Vegas ,Monaco and Atlantic City wouldnt exist its help sports

[@samuelfrick3475]

Shannon the Hockey Guy 👍 Shannon the History Teacher 👍 👍 👍

[@villekorpi714]

Shannon to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

[@BrendanP]

Shannon the Wise

[@smnbrgss]

Next channel: The History Guy (THG)

[@666kingdrummer]

Bettman seriously needs to write a book when he retires, i'd love to hear some actual insight on his career and the behind the scenes of what its actually like to be a sports commissioner vs. what people think its actually like. He could have a humorously ironic title, like "With Thunderous Applause: The Gary Bettman Story."

[@valkenfriesen1801]

Check out the book, "The Instigator" by Jonathon Gatehouse. A really interesting look at behind the scenes NHL goings on and it's focused on Bettman. A good read.

[@SakicFan]

NGL If he (Bettman) actually did write a book if he were to retire, I'd actually buy and read that whether it's a physical copy or a digital on Audible or something.

[@eunit8899]

They pay him a ton of money to make sure he won't write a book.

[@TheMe9595]

Bettman has been the commissioner longer than ive been alive lol

[@ElmerFudd16]

Almost the same for me XD

[@subraxas]

You babies!! :-D :-P

[@michaelleroy9281]

I hope he isn't in charge as long as Campbell was, it's getting close

[@subraxas]

@@michaelleroy9281 Just two years to go. :-) :-P

[@UserName-ts3sp]

same

[@adamjanks4966]

There’s a reason that even when you see your team win the Stanley cup on home ice it gets boo’d while being handed over. That’s because betman is touching it

[@michaelleroy9281]

If the Wild, ever win the Stanley Cup on home ice, it would be best he stayed at home

[@tyrous1743]

They would boo whoever the commissioner is. Thats just how it works.

[@mrconfusion87]

@@tyrous1743 But Buttman is just such a fucking unlikeable weasel! I never heard of previous NHL head honchos getting the same negative reaction almost anywhere he goes before Buttman came in...

[@mrconfusion87]

@@michaelleroy9281 Rioters in the Twin Cities will torch his limo for sure! 🤣🙈

[@potent.quotables]

Shannon makes a great point in that it is much easier to get 32 people to agree on how to achieve a common goal as opposed to 300. I think we as fans should remember this before we pick sides the next time that there is talk about a lockout. Who are the real greedy ones? Is it the large group of millionaires or the small group of billionaires?

[@sebastiencarrieres8825]

Can the answer be both?

[@redredmon8833]

'05 was the players fault. They refused to agree to a salary cap. The rest of them was on the owners.

[@dans656]

not even 32, he only needs to get 17 of the 32 to agree. the NHLPA needs hundreds.

[@MisterCaution]

It’s hard to sympathize with either side trying to carve up my 400 dollars for just one night in the 300 level with my family. League minimum salary is more than most physicians make annually in the US.

[@MisterCaution]

@@geoff3103 Nice idea, but one problem is that people buy tickets at various times of the year. For a popular team, most games throughout the season will already be sold out by now.

[@celluloidtherapy5003]

In my opinion, NO hockey team should have to pick sides on social issues. Mainly because it’s a no-win situation, as whatever side you choose to endorse, you are pissing off a huge portion of your fan base.

[@T-Bone21]

This was a damn good video upload!!!

[@marianasastre3947]

Now I understand why the league does not promote its players more. If the players have a bigger media presence and a closer relationship with the fans then they have more power to sway public opinion, and more leverage with the league and the owners.

[@atanlyons1]

i wouldn't go that far. NFL players have a pretty big media presence and their players have almost NO leverage. The problem with social media is, most of these guys just don't have the personality to draw a presence on SM. Could you see a Sidney Crosby posting IG pics? Most people in the states don't even know he has a gf. And you can say well IN Canada... Ya Canada has the population of 1 US state. Sorry

[@fubartotale3389]

Ya think?

[@fryguy2k657]

Love a good NHL history lesson

[@jordanhoughton1948]

Shannon: " I want to talk about Gary Bettman.." Obi-Wan : "I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in booing..."

[@wilseph1]

The owners love Gary. Gary loves the owners. That's pretty much it.

[@robbrobb659]

I as a fan love Gary

[@wilseph1]

@@robbrobb659 That's great.

[@Neon002121]

Great vid Shannon. That said, you should also mention that Gary engages well with the fanbase. What other commissioner calls to check in with the top hockey KZbinr at major milestones?

[@meddyven]

WHAAAAT??? The majority of fan bases hate Bettman, because he panders all the time.

[@richiebambara3980]

It was smart for the NHL to stay out of social issues, it’s never a good idea to alienate your customers.

[@k-dude4514]

he handed the cup to the Habs his first half year as commissioner and he's never handed a cup to a Canadian team since.

[@eirikrdberg1161]

I remember when Bettman came in. Back then I had to drive twenty minutes to get USA today which I bought many times every week here in Norway for hockey news and results. Back then I dreamed of something like the internet. Can’t remember when I last bought s newspaper. In the 80s and especially the 90s I bought one every day. What I read back then was that he had done an amazing job in the NBA and the NHL should be very Happy to have him lead the league.

[@danielslapcoff2240]

Maybe your best video yet. Incredibly thorough with you arguments rooted in history and concrete facts. Greatly appreciated

[@andrewtredway8471]

👏👏👏. Great video. Informative…. Well said…. And right on point.

[@piousnorsepillager]

I knew the "behind the scenes" of the NHL must be really complicated but Shannon's breakdown of the NHL owners and all that is really interesting and eye opening. Fascinating video as always!

[@allanasher1790]

Great part, really informative. Thank you!

[@Gh0w]

Amazing video, super interesting, thanks so much

[@Mikerizzo1987]

Great video as always Shannon, I feel like even us fans only care for a certain amount of time and then like everything else something else comes up and we forget about the uncomfortable things not only hockey but all sports leagues do behind the scenes. I think also a reason why the owners always get fans support during a lockout is because as fans the owner 99 percent of the time will keep the team in our city whereas players come and go but the team will always be here. Just my two cents.

[@subraxas]

Clarence Campbell was the NHL President for 31 long years; from 1946 through to 1977.

[@gocanuckurself1]

Very good video. Interesting and informative.

[@BSAnime]

NBA legend Gary Bettman

[@jameseckstein3521]

This was a really interesting video, 10/10 would recommend

[@veggienat1]

Great video Shannon, thank you

[@carolisch9715]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@williamsnee143]

Awesome analysis spot on

[@forgottenfamily]

So I just had an ad on this video for.... your channel.

[@TheHockeyGuy]

Not for my channel. That's for Bench Clearers.

[@MrJulianhood]

Thanks! Enjoyed that one.

[@chainsherlock6268]

Great video!!

[@ExplodingHaggis]

Great video. This is how many businesses work, for example, do you hate TicketMaster? They play the same role for your favourite musicians as Bettman does for NHL franchises... they are a lightning rod.

[@kylestoddart]

Great video... I love the sport. Strategically avoiding the business side.

[@carparthero]

@The Hockey Guy excellent educational video. 💙 i've been following the game since 1980 and you have told everything to a T. nhl has the best game imo of the major 4 to watch as a fan yet is the red-headed stepchild when it comes to economics and league leadership in dealing with any matter. cheers from southern ontario 🍁

[@horizonbrave1533]

Great backstory thanks for the history lesson!

[@MidNiteR32]

Hes done a good job at protecting the owners money but he has done a terrible job at promoting the game of hockey outside it’s current fanbase.

[@danzed111]

04/05 season was epic in SHL! so many NHLers in our league. :)

[@smnbrgss]

That must've been one of the best seasons ever over there in Sweden

[@mrconfusion87]

@@smnbrgss And the teams surely learned a shit ton! Why is Sweden now such a factory of players today despite a population of just 9 million?

[@neptunepriest]

Thank god someone finally mentioned the gambling. As much as I love Steve Dangle, he gets his money from sportsnet and sports interactions and its the same for the rest of hockey punditry. Its already destroying soccer in Europe. Don't let it happen here.

[@kieranm6433]

What makes it destroy soccer in Europe? I’m curious 🧐

[@TheHeston83]

its helpful to sport

[@mikkejalonen9050]

Gambling made players and owners alot richer thanks to gambling teams have more capital to spend on academys. In sweden when they allowed gambling sponsorship the clubs got alot richer thus can compete better in europe

[@JarradBruessel32]

Gambling gets more people involved in the sport.

[@coltsgotluck6518]

its inevitable wrap your head around it your talking about a billion dollar industry

[@neilflood6508]

Coincidence? The Steve Dangle Podcast Network released a podcast about the 1992 10 day strike earlier today with Adam Wylde and Allan Walsh interviewing Glenn Healy.

[@MisterCaution]

Did Dangle do one yet on the 1997 Maple Leaf Gardens scandal?

[@spidermanfan31]

Where did he get that hat its so cool. looks like it has the original 6 on the sides with the old school NHL and CCM logos

[@mathewlee5712]

The NHL started to grow financially after the 2005 lockout and the rise of the Canadian dollar. Prior to that, most franchises were losing money. In 2002, only the Leafs, Rangers, Stars, Avs, and Flyers were making money.

[@Air0087]

Being a Habs fan growing up in Montreal in the 90s, I was a huge Patrick Roy fan. Then one day, I think I was like...7 or 8, my mom tells me "oh, Patrick Roy's a piece of shit. he beats up his wife. how can he still play? how are you a fan of his?" and I just stared at her blankly not knowing what she was talking about lol.

[@laramorrison5973]

As a new fan, this channel has been a goldmine for learning and understanding the game in an interesting and not condescending way.

[@goaliecoachmike]

100%!

[@tonylam328]

The players need to get together to force the owners to get rid of Bettman. They need to follow the NBA's lead with a commissioner that does good for all parties involved, owners, players and fans.

[@americanloyalist4599]

The players like bettman

[@edenjung9816]

Whenever people complain about Bettman i just link one of your videos on him. We shouldn't blame Bettman, but the owners.

[@artvandelay1967]

Bettman may have been good for the owners....but he hasnt been good for the game of hockey. When Bettman took over the NHL, it was arguably doing better than the NBA- ticket sales especially, the big TV contracts with multiple cable companies bidding was just starting- all the major sports flourished...yet the NHL remains a distant 4th. It wasnt much before Bettmans time that all professional athletes made decent money...but nothing out of the ordinary vs doctors, lawyers or accountants. Even into the early 80's you could make the same (albeit working the whole year with few perks) with a decent union job. The difference in pay between the CFL and NFL in the 70's was minimal, some stars chose the CFL due to the lack of free agency in the NFL. TV and the unionization of pro sports changed it completely.

[@lordrayden3045]

I think that had more to do with the NBA not knowing wha they were doing.

[@Travisharger]

I also think the focus on sunbelt teams makes a ton of sense for the league as a whole and hockey fans. As much as I would love to see more Canadian teams, Midwest teams, and northern teams ; I think we have a solid balance now that really makes sense. It gives everyone in the US and Canada a place to go to see hockey. As a Minnesota guy who moved to Virginia, I love that I can easily see a Wild game in Washington, DC, Nashville, and even Florida when I’m down there. I miss Atlanta having a team despite hating the thrasher name, logo, and color scheme. I’m not sure Florida needs two teams but it’s fine. I also appreciate living in the south and having hockey fans around because of the existence of these other southern teams. Virginia has a ton of passionate Capital fans.

[@tolman33]

That moment when THG has ads on his own channel, and I'm left trying to figure out if I hit next video or something because he looks different and he's unboxing a shirt.

[@hibby21]

I had the same thing haha

[@btbf34]

It will always make me laugh that the strike started on April fools day!!

[@BayBye2011]

remember the NBA had a party when he left.... they were glad to see him go

[@cameronearland5716]

I will never forgive bettman for the 04 lockout. Litteraly submarined the flyers best window for a cup, we had to tlose so many good players to be cap compliant, which inevitably forced us into a painful rebuild. All while watch ex flyers win cups on other teams . Thank you bettman!

[@GuruFromEHRPG]

Soo watching this video and the add appears...........and it's THG on it doing an unboxing thing for bench clearers. O_O That threw me off for a minute

[@kallearo9950]

My finland jersey Worldcup 2004? Cost 70 euros. Game against Germany. Structure of the logo is so different compared to any other jerseys after that.

[@THELEAFSFAN]

I don't know one hockey fan that likes Gary Batman

[@colten5105]

I knew this video was coming

[@michaelleroy9281]

Revenue sharing, that sounds like George Steinbrenner , Yankees vs other teams in baseball

[@spidermanfan31]

21:31 lmao i was about to comment a player you might've been talking about

[@xMaximusDecimusx]

YOU ARE THE MAN SHANNON!

[@briangrover873]

“I can only speak from my heart, in terms of my commitment, our team’s commitment to getting this right. So that somebody else isn’t coming forward months or years from now because we failed them. That’s what my commitment to you and everybody who’s listening is.” - Mark Chipman That is the sort of thing Bettman ought to be saying, but is not.

[@kurtwpg]

Chipman says, as he throws his body between Bettman and his GM.

[@TheBogyy]

Since Bettman came in, not one Canadian team has won the cup. Explain that please.

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 92-93 the season he became commissioner

[@ericscottstevens]

That draft lottery has been a wreck. Yet no substantial changes and just a few percentage tweeks a few years ago. The 2020 lottery rule modification, and the end result was totally preposterous (just so the league was in the headlines during COVID) Now they have added some more sane rules to the situation, but still too many frequent trippers to the top 5.

[@XaviRonaldo0]

It's a lottery for a reason. Meant to discourage tanking. What happened in the season prior to Super Mario's draft was disgrace and what happened in the McDavid/Eichel draft to a lesser extent. Those sort of shenanigans should never happen again. Personally I'm annoyed they've softened the lottery.

[@MidNiteR32]

Bettman wants to expand in souther states because they have low tax rates so that means more money going into the NHL and him.

[@midimusicforever]

The only way for fans to make a difference is top stop buying tickets and jerseys when something is amiss and the NHL won't set it right, and hold on until the NHL breaks to the pressure.

[@JarradBruessel32]

Thats why buffalo has so few of people buying tickets now. No one wants to give the pegulas money

[@twigy1chew]

just a thought. you said the players don't see anything from the 1billion that came in from expansion. but between 2 teams like 100 additional players (NHL and AHL) get to have contracts. they get to be NHLers. that is at least something.

[@pjpredhomme7699]

That is a very real something it expands the number of players in the NHL and ultimately it means that salaries will rise along the way.

[@redredmon8833]

He's made the owners alot of money so I think Gary will probably go out on his own terms. We are talking about a guy who put himself in the HOF after all

[@wallsdownstudios4112]

The THG ad at the start really threw me off lol

[@TheBogyy]

30 years….no cup in Canada

[@geoffwhitemusic]

I despise the complete blending of gambling with professional sports we’re seeing. There is going to be another Black Sox scandal before too long.

[@redwing3150]

I think its only a matter of time before the link between gambling and the league leads to a scandal of some sort...all that money can't help but lead to corruption of some sort sometime.

[@mikebarber12]

Right because the league isn't already involved in a scandal involving the Chicago Blackhawks who hired a sexual deviant on their 2010 staff

[@pjpredhomme7699]

i understand the not liking gambling - but it is pretty hard to throw a hockey game- how do you think it will be corrupted

[@PJPremiere]

Dammit... when you're right- you're right. And you are right, Shannon.

[@dsc4178]

CFL has gone all-in on gambling money, pretty much all leagues do, and while the money is good, the players hate it with a passion.

[@AAAAAA79473]

My Dad still thinks that he doesn't want any Canadian Club to win a cup for almost 29 years.

[@oilersridersbluejays]

Even if it’s unintentional, which I’m sure it is, it’s still the “Curse of the Buttman.”

[@robbrobb659]

Higher Canadian taxes and that players dont want to play in Canada unless they are over paid is why Canadian teams haven't won since 93.... Canada is a shithole in most players' eyes and would rather play in low tax warm weather divisions.

[@michaelleroy9281]

That means he didn't want the Montreal Canadiens to win the Cup in 2021

[@pjpredhomme7699]

Jesus talk about small cock syndrome - look at the managements of the Canadian teams - through most of that entire period the managements have been atrocious. Edmonton - Kevin Lowe - Craig Mctavish - that was a real braintrust. Toronto - how about JFJ? Montreal - 10 yrs of Bergevin, never mind Rejean Houle, Calgary had some decent management - and they have been successful - they almost won in 2004. It has a whole lot more to do with that - and the pressure /scrutiny in Canadian market than any sabotage. I grew up in Canada- consider it home so hearing stupid whiny shit like that is so unbecoming - I like to believe most Canadians are better than that.

[@chriscascio3355]

It sound like Bill is in the same position Adam Silver was in behind Stern. So only a matter of time till the fans turn.

[@pjpredhomme7699]

well Remember Gary Bettman was Sterns right hand long before there ever was an Adam Silver - he was probably in the 3rd grade

[@sportssagas]

When is list month start?

[@nysportsfan42]

This discussion around Bettman has me thinking about how a month after the World Series ends we're in for an ugly labor dispute around MLB. Some of the same things you said about Bettman can also apply to Manfred as that presumably ugly that's gonna get.

[@Mr.Quinlan888]

Those guaranteed contracts might not be so guaranteed come this next season.

[@brandonnarayan5796]

Players also don’t share in the appreciation of franchise value which is where the big $ are. That’s all held in ownership I believe

[@pjpredhomme7699]

Of course it is - and no they don't come anywhere near that and you are right franchise values have skyrocketed. As an example - Detroit red wings were bought in 1982 by Mike Illitch along with a joint partnership with the city for cobo and Joe Louis arena - that the city built - for $ 8mill. I don't know the estimated value today but it has to be close to $1 Billion - & you better believe they have made a LOT of $ during those 42 years. That kind of ROI is nearly impossible in most other endeavors

[@daledemanchuk7920]

IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY....SO TRUE GUY....

[@ogreman-lll-957]

The annual bettman video.

[@samuelfrick3475]

You know there’s a conspiracy theory between Gary Bettman and Shannon! 😂

[@sweetmapleleafs]

The Hockey Guy rockin the Hockeywood All Star Game unis from 2017! 👌👌👌 And btw Bruce McNall has much to do with Bettman being commish.

[@ssejr01]

Everyone needs to see this video.

[@BlakeWheelersBurnerAccount]

Was really hoping Gary would call

[@michaelleroy9281]

Gary Bettman should somehow be shown the door, go back to 1993 when he took over , I don't blame Norm Green for moving the North Stars to Dallas I blame Bettman he could have stopped it if he really wanted to that was his first crisis when he took over

[@oilersridersbluejays]

Bettman definitely didn’t help the cause of the Nordiques and Jets neither. Admittedly, he did help to keep the Oilers, Flames, and Senators stay in Canada. More damage control and face-saving though. Look at the sorry state of the Coyotes. If they were a Canadian franchise, they would’ve left years ago.

[@robbrobb659]

Hockey is a business.....do you hate profits?

[@HBKshowstopper]

The NHL is a business for sure. That's why we are seeing advertisements everywhere including on jerseys soon. It won't stop till NHL jerseys say "Fly Emirates". Not to mention that the greedy billionaire owners and greedy millionaire players shut down that business in the 2004-05 season. Whenever the CBA expires you have to wonder if the season that follows will result in another lockout. Gary needs to go regardless of how much the sport has grown while he was/is commish.

[@leatherbound4233]

Maybe your best video yet. NHL view on Hockey fans, complacent, forgetful, sit up, give me paw, play dead, GOOD BOY! and their right. lets examine the one thing the NHL is a leader on, ADDS! We used to make fun of soccer players with all the adds, now look at us. We have more advertising on the field of play than all other sports combined and the players are now billboards. The Hockey Guy can and should make a video on NHL statements concerning the adds. Only on boards.... few years later, just between the blue lines....few years later, just in the corners.......few years later, digital adds on glass....just for the people paying to see the game at home, now.......more digital adds on ice and only a "small" ad on the helm and then......?! Because as we lay down and play dead they keep it up all the time saying they need the revenue and there will be no more. I can't be the only one who finds the game UN-watchable with all the adds of distraction. A great game being ruined by it's own owners.

[@braytonvbeck]

thank you hockey guy!

[@ronpeacock9939]

At the end of the day, I only really have 1 complaint about Bettman (though letting the skate in the crease that ended the 99 cup finals is high, it's not it)... Many years ago the NBA was doing a strike/lockout... Bettman could have gone to TNT and other networks that suddenly had a hole in their schedules... and tried to get the NHL on them to fill those holes... and who knows, he may have tried.. but I doubt it.. Only do it to fill the holes and get the NHL some quality exposure... it's not about making money TODAY.. but opening the doors for tomorrow..

[@michaelleroy9281]

Winnipeg Jets ( now Arizona Coyotes) could have moved to the Twin Cities in 1996 , but no Bettman wanted one of his Sun Belt Babies

[@pjpredhomme7699]

Yeah that is right because he wanted to have teams all over the entire US large TV markets - so he could have a legitimate case to get National TV contract.

[@jonasgorea3823]

Bettman gets a lot of hate sometimes rightfully, but he has done a good job growing the game and the nhl has made more money under his watch. He also did a good job running the nhl during the global pandemic.

[@LGPanthers1]

​@@Fadeout14 NBA and MLB viewership shrank greatly since 93/94, NFL has been steady up and the NHL comes in waves; 2012/13 was peak but we've seen 10-15 percent increases in Wednesday games year over year the last couple seasons. The NHL is performing alright, albeit stagnant. In the meantime 2 of the other major sports are nosediving and if it weren't for betting the NBA would be in a sinkhole. I think it's fair to say he's done a decent job at maintaining trajectory.

[@cglaurer]

You say he did a good job. But the question is always how much better could someone competent have done?

[@pjpredhomme7699]

@@Fadeout14 Where do you come up with that ? i wrote it somewhere already - when he started total revenue was $ 400 mil it is almost 5Bill now do you have any notion how difficult that is to do . it is fine that you dont like him but he is a very smart man

[@hibby21]

I'm actually a fan of Bettman, he's made the league more profitable which in turn benefits everyone. and many teams including the oilers wouldn't be around today if we didn't have a salary cap.

[@666kingdrummer]

Likewise, its honestly frustrating to try to explain to people how the League actually works, and how Bettman is simply a puppet for the owners. Its like talking to a wall sometimes.

[@hibby21]

@@666kingdrummer most people don't understand business and he's an easy target. I like how he actually encourages fans to boo him. he has fun with it

[@pjpredhomme7699]

​@@hibby21 He makes the best of it - i am sure he doesn't like it - everyone would like to be liked - he has some odd mannerisms - his speech pattern is of a NYer - and he was an american coming to tell canadians how to run their game better - and they have always hated him for it . IF you can ever get past those things - and look objectively at what he has done - he has done a fabulous job - not just for the owners - there are about 350 guys playing in the NHL right now - who would otherwise be washing or selling cars - if it werent for Gary Bettman and his insistence on expanding into these non traditional hockey markets- which is how they have gotten national TV contracts . I grew up in Canada - love it - but people have a real chip on their shoulder . I live in Tennessee currently and i remember hearing people in Toronto screaming and crying how ridiculous it was that there was an NHL team in Nashville in around 2005-6 . I saw some of those same people talking about how great it was in 2017-8. I heard the same thing about Vegas before they started- what a joke it would be - etc etc. give people a chance .

[@ryanprofili1847]

Seems a little weird that this comes out so close to when the SDPN guys talked about this. Just a heads up for the overlap.

[@LETZGONHLdraft]

might be a somber idea, although it could also be interesting for you to do a *top 10 controversies in the NHLs history* . You might have have a disclaimer/trigger warning at the start of the video, I just think it could a very interesting and informative video idea.

[@csolivais1979]

You could do that just on Harold Ballor (spelling), the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Probably have to do a top 20 just to get all the high profile stuff.

[@LETZGONHLdraft]

@@csolivais1979 he already did a video on hallard ballard.

[@henrymanzano9168]

I'd definitely watch!

[@rhye_guy7717]

I remember a time where THG Bettman videos were filled with disdain. We have come far since those days

[@TylerMorganShow]

I would have liked how the NHL/Gary opened up the game..two line passes, obstruction being discussed..

[@jasonwolfe5088]

This man has been in charge for two months longer than I've been /alive/, it's time to go. Like the NHL ownership is a joke of a boys club, the current sexual assault case is just the latest example of their complete selfishness. This feels like a similar situation to what's going on with the NWSL with the deep seeded player abuse that owners, who knew about it and turned a blind eye to, being in absolute control. The unfortunate fact is that until they face real actual consequences, which who knows how to actually go about it, it's only going to get worse and nothing is going to change.

[@henrymanzano9168]

Exactly. The $2M fine levied on the Blackhawks was a joke, especially to a team worth as much as it is. Even the Coyotes' owners wipe their rear ends with $2M. The owners and upper management of the League don't give a shit about fans until they start losing significant amounts of money

[@loosetube5417]

With all this talk of sports betting... I think there's one obvious fact that we're all overlooking. His name's Gary 'Bet'man Bet. Man. We should have seen this coming.

[@smnbrgss]

What are people's thoughts on Arizona rebranding to the Desert Dogs or Arizona Aliens? If they could go to aliens, it'd be cool to see the NHL really lean into the West being a lot fantasy mascots/branding, and the East being the more grounded half of teams. Which could build towards some fun advertising in the playoffs each year.

[@devackroyd]

To be real, I have been an avid NHL fan for about 15 years and have never felt super uncomfortable with much when it comes to watching hockey, but the push for online gambling sources is really getting close to that territory for me. I see commercials multiple times per game encouraging people to piss away their hard earned dollars on draft kings, the online 50/50 and multiple other online sources all from the comfort of their own homes, meaning those who are addicted literally have nowhere to go to be safe from that temptation. Not that this is anything new for sports in the internet based age, but I think its extremely dangerous and is a really greasy money making tactic that the NHL is picking up on here.

[@pjpredhomme7699]

agree - eventually greed gets them all . and it is not just the NHL - all sports are doing it - and it wont be long and we wont recognize the games we enjoy -.

[@abrahamlincoln9758]

"How did this happen?" Indeed