Comments on: The Interview: Gary Bettman

By: antibettman

antibettman — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:21:21 +0000

The problem with you Americans is the game's too fast for you. You can't follow the puck and a blue streak didn't work.(good work Fox). I think you're jealous because it wasn't invented by an American. Years ago I was at a friend's wedding
in Columbus, Ohio during the playoffs and Toronto was playing San Jose. I checked the radio and T.V. for the score.
There was nothing mentioned about the N.H.L. How did this city ever get a team? Finally, in order to run the game,
you have to know how to play it. I'm sure Bettman never picked up a hockey stick in his life. He's an arrogant lawyer
that is destroying a great Canadian sport.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:48:20 +0000

Hey Gary,
Let me start the factual evidence, you're an idiot and I don't like you. The line starts behind me! Although I doubt it's the only line!

By: Mark W

Mark W — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:02:00 +0000

So, what? He should only be asked softball questions?

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:40:21 +0000

Gary Bettman is my hero. Screw Canada.

By: Ken Radke, Albertan

Ken Radke, Albertan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:03:28 +0000

Good job; Bettman's responses confirm that he does not understand or even believe Canadian hockey fans. He acts in the best interest of the American franchise owners.

I feel strongly that no League of professional teams should ever own one of the teams. Phoenix is on track to lose $50 million dollars in one year but Bettman is playing around with somebody else's money just to prevent the start of another Canadian team.

By: tacful

tacful — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:23:33 +0000

Dan, you seem to be doing some finger pointing and crying yourself so take some of your own advice and grow up!!

Mr Bettman was and is the one who is acting childish. So childish ,in fact, that he doesn't even recognize reality such as when he was booed because people don't like him!!! His behaviour during the whole Phoenix episode was so very childish!!

By: tacful

tacful — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:09:57 +0000

You r in your own little dream world if u think there is anti-semitism in any of the comments here!! However one can see the anti-canadian sentiments in your statement!!!

By: tacful

tacful — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:01:40 +0000

The major issue here is where can teams be logically supported. The answer is in Canada!!! There are at least 4 places in Canda right now that could easily support a NHL team. Instead Mr Bettman continues to pursue his dream of making hockey popular in the US when it will never reach the heights of popularity of Major league Baseball, Football or even stock car racing!! It has been mentioned about the Canadian Assistance fund but for several years the Canadian teams have been providing large sums to the league to support these illogical teams placed in non hockey cities in the US!!! Mr Bettman is a pompous a%$ss and needs to go before he damages the game, the NHL and the fanbase even further!!!

By: maxmac

maxmac — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:32:43 +0000

How can one ever seriuosly believe a guy that looks and acts like Pee Wee Herman's twin.

By: Christian Gross

Christian Gross — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:03:31 +0000

No the problem with Bettman is that he is trying to make the NHL into something that it is not. In the US hockey is not a big deal. I know native Floridians and they tell me, "NHL? What's that?" They are more interested in football or even soccer. To have interest in a sport you got to be able to play it for fun. And in places where there is no winter with snow it ain't gonna happen.

Is he anti-Canadian? Maybe you have a point. But he most surely is Anti-North. For example why on earth is there no hockey team in Alaska? Don't tell me that there are no hockey players there? Bettman is a casino type gambler, and he is what will make and break the NHL… This is only the beginning.

I work in the stock market and I see people like these all the time. Sure they make lots of money and drive the big fancy cars, but then one bang and they are gone…

By: Christian Gross

Christian Gross — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:13:40 +0000

What an idiot… I just listened to one of his interviews. He is a pure nutter! Actually he is arrogant and delusional.

By: Christian Gross

Christian Gross — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:59:13 +0000

The problem here is that in the US they will go into debt, do very very silly things and then realize oops there are problems financially. Whereas in Canada people tend to be conservative with their money. Bettman does not see that. He want's to see big grandeur, and lots of money. He is trying to make the NHL something that it can never be…

By: hump

hump — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:21 +0000

Typical ignorant, arrogant american running our game.

By: Patrick Flannery

Patrick Flannery — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:44:21 +0000

"I have to ask a question about your question…" Screw you, Bettman. You know you're hated, why pretend?

Macleans tried to sound tough in this interview, but they didn't ask the question that can and should take this guy down once and for all: where is the U.S. TV contract you promised the owners 20 years ago? Bettman should be asked that question by every reporter he faces. It is the sole reason for his existence and the sole justification the league could ever offer for handing him the power to subjugate everything in the game to his marketing plan. That dream of greed is over. Bettman is an utter failure and he and everything he represents should be expunged from the league. Balsillie is a hero in my books for opposing Bettman as loudly as possible for all the right reasons. When guys like Balsillie run this league instead of guys like Bettman, it will again be something I can support.

By: YSP

YSP — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:35:13 +0000

True, but the good moments make up for the terrible directing. Anyone who wants to see Rick Mercer impersonating Don Cherry should watch "Bon Cop, Bad Cop".

By: MMORPGs

MMORPGs — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:23:51 +0000

They say one thing in an interview and do something different. Politics as usual.

By: Dave in Philly

Dave in Philly — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:52:33 +0000

My fellow Americans wake the F up! Hockey doesn't belong in the Southwest or South. This guy has almost made this great product less visible than the MLS, give me a F'n break. Get teams to cities where the game is respected, understood and followed, and the product will sell better on tv. It's a disgrance teams left cities in Canada and Minnesota under this idiot's watch. In addition the idiot doesn't get that the Olympics is an excellent way for the league to showcase it's talent so take advantage of it.

By: TheBusiness

TheBusiness — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:25:10 +0000

I actually like Bettman and think, on the whole, that he's done a good job. It's incredibly easy to sit back and question every decision. Conversely, it's often incredibly hard to be the one the actually make the decision.

Look, let's be clear:
* one or more teams are coming back to Canada in the next 3-5 years (S.Ontario + Quebec City OR Winnipeg)
* the NHL is staying in the Olympics

But it's about how the specifics of each point will be negotiated. Bluntly, who gets paid what?

Hang in there, Gary!

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:39:49 +0000

One thing that was not mensioned, and I think will have a much biger impact on future relocation of team than a bunch of Canadians crying (and acting like 2 year olds) over why they should get more teams, Is the PLAYERS UNION. With player saleries now tied to League wide profit I'm supried that they have not been more vocal about leaving under preforming teams in bad (non hockey) markets. How long will the NHL's experiment with putting teams in non-hockey markets in order to build a biger fan base last. Try giving them an AHL team and let them show they are able to support a NHL team first.

I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT UNTILL THE PLAYERS UNION GETS IT'S ACT TOGETER AND RAISES THEIR VOICE, NOTHING WILL CHANGE. THEY WILL HAVE TO BE THE DRIVING VOICE IN THE RELOCATION DEBATE

I also feel it i time to look at reconfigureing the division line ups. The 9 and 10 pm start times for fans trying to watch their team on the road is rediculous.

So stop the crying and finger pointing up there in canada, grow up, figure it out and get the players (god knows there are enough canadians in the NHL) to drive the relocation.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:39:12 +0000

Why no mention of the North Stars and Whaler moving. In the the north Stars case there wa an owner pulling up shop in quick fasion ( some will sugest running away from a herasment Law suit) and leaving one of the USA best hockey markets to move to Texas, where was the NHL then. The wild have proven and Bettman has admitted that was a misstake.

I think it is funny that YOU want to spin this into a "the NHL wants out of Canada and always has" story line. The fact of the matter is at the time when those four teams moved (2 canadian and 2 USA teams) the NHL was letting it happen with little league intervention. The NHL has since change their aproach and is trying to how loyalty to their fans by not letting an owner pull up shop and move after a few lean years, to what the owner thinks are greener pastures. It also sounds like the NHL feels like they should have input into where future expansion/relocated teams will play. Sounds fair to me.

By: danby

danby — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:38:51 +0000

Can't skate? Didn't you read those answers?

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:01:26 +0000

Everyone that likes sub par Canadian movies should watch "Bon Cop,Bad Cop"

By: truth and justice

truth and justice — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:04:22 +0000

Two versions of a story. One….the co-owner of the San Jose Sharks said, when it was pointed out the league is keeping Balsillie out,"the owners aren't".

Second version….Gary Bettman… Question- "the legal files and the legal strategy that suggested that he (Balsillie} was unsuitable as an owner.That wasn't personal?

Answer……Not by me.The owners decided they didn't want him as a partner.

Big problem for the commish coming at the BOG meetings Dec 15th.

By: Fred - Brandon MB

Fred - Brandon MB — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:25:58 +0000

Where do you get anti-semitism from? I didn't even know the Poison Dwarf was a Jew. Not that it would make any difference to me one way or the other. The reason the NHL shouldn't be in the sunbelt is because of people like you who don't appreciate the skill of the sport, or the beauty of the sport.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:19:38 +0000

" I was booed presenting the Stanley Cup in Detroit to the Pittsburgh Penguins"

Ummmm, NO Gary. You were booed when you were announced, not when you were actually presenting the Cup. That seems to be a trend yet you are trying to FOOL yourself.

By: MN_Hockey

MN_Hockey — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:51:23 +0000

How about letting a hockey team from Minnesota move to Texas? You were speaking about covenant with the fans?! That was a great first year as Commish, you dolt.

By: The Captain

The Captain — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:36:04 +0000

Gary…you dimwit. It is widely believed in many, many circles of hockey that you have a man crush on Sidney Crosby and you have put all of your marketing dollars/attention to that one player. It is also preceived that the Penguins get preferential treatment. Throw in the fact tha tyou are a terrible commish and you had the Wings play back-to-back nights in the Finals for the first time in 50 years. Well…yeah..you got friggin' boo'd.

By: eastvan

eastvan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:59:14 +0000

Your comment is completely un-called for. If someone disagrees with Bettman they are an anti-Semite? You may not like the interviewers or their questions but calling them rascist is unreasonable. In fact, the only one saying anything about race is Bettman when he blames immigrant families as the reason hockey is declining among youth.

By: HarveyMushman

HarveyMushman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:56:55 +0000

Gary Bettman reminds me of "Baghdad Bob."

Problems? What problems? Everything is just fine and dandy. Anyone who doesn't think so is simply ignorant of the facts…my facts.

I wouldn't trust Mr. Bettman as far as I could pick him up and throw him.

By: Fair

Fair — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:13:48 +0000

The league never had it so good. I'm glad to be an American, the anti semitism between the lines here is disgusting. The NHL is a second rate pro sport in the US somewhere down with indoor soccer. Bettman has tried to raise it's profile and perception, The commenter shere for the most part would rather go play hockey in the woods up in Canada.

By: jonny

jonny — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:44:51 +0000

how many american teams failed under bettman's watch? find a bettman interview with ron maclean somewhere and see if you still like him

By: rorytait

rorytait — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:42:53 +0000

That's asinine. Linden helped negotiate a CBA that has been very, very beneficial to the players. The salary floor is one of the reasons teams like Phoenix are struggling.

BTW, Bettman doesn't take faceoffs because he is one of the very few NHL executives who can't skate.

By: ray14

ray14 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:18:44 +0000

haha polympics

By: Fred - Brandon MB

Fred - Brandon MB — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:50:00 +0000

How does it feel to be Bettman's butt-kisser?

By: Fred - Brandon MB

Fred - Brandon MB — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:48:25 +0000

You must be Bettman's only friend, Sourstud. But you have your facts all wrong. Winnipeg always had attendance better than half the league. There was an ownership group that stepped forward, but the NHL and Winnipeg Enterprises wouldn't do their part to make the Jets viable going forward. Shenkarow didn't have the wealth to continue and the public was decieved to think he was profiteering.

Ironically, the will needed came later in order to make the Moose viable.

No doubt Bettman has a tough job, but so do many of us. If this is his best, the NHL is doomed!

By: sourstud

sourstud — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:58:41 +0000

I appreciate the enthusiasm of Canadian hockey fans, but most need a hard lesson in logic.

Gary Bettman has probably the toughest job in professional sports (except maybe the goal tender for the Toronto Maple Leafs), and he's doing his best with a tough situation. Accusing him of being anti-Canadian is just stupid. The NHL let teams die (or move) in Atlanta, Cleavland, Hartford, and Oakland. But when Winnipeg and Quebec City move, it's a grand conspiracy against our great nation? Puh-leaze.

Garry Bettman deserves a break.

By: sourstud

sourstud — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:48:25 +0000

Winnipeg also had a helluva time filling the arena most seasons. And clearly Manitobans didn't give much of a damn or there would have been political pressure for the governments to step in and save the club. That didn't happen. Bettman's just a guy who's doing his best in a very difficult job.

By: sourstud

sourstud — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:46:33 +0000

Also a Manitoban, and completely agree with you. The team simply was not financially viable at the time, nor was it going to be any time soon. Nobody wanted to buy them, period. Our local governments wouldn't help out, so case closed.

But it's easy to blame Bettman, since he's the face of the league. Nobody ever said the population in general was all that bright.

By: peter

peter — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:18:36 +0000

I don't really know enough about the specifics to comment, but will relate some hearsay from a very wise friend commenting on the lockout/strike when Trevor Linden (whom I admire) was "negotiating with Bettman.

His quote, which I'll always remember, was "you don't see Bettman taking faceoffs against Linden, why does Linden think he is capable of negotiating with Bettman?"

Both are very skilled at what they do, one knew his limitations.

By: Fred - Brandon MB

Fred - Brandon MB — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:53:57 +0000

If you don't blame Bettmann then you haven't been paying attention. No, he didn't trade Teemu, but that's not why the team left.

By: Fred - Brandon MB

Fred - Brandon MB — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:52:32 +0000

The "Poison Dwarf" says "Winnipeg and Quebec City notwithstanding". The truth is that he made no effort at all to keep those franchises in place. There was no league revenue sharing even considered until those teams had been moved south. It had been proposed, but there was no will among the NHL owners to save the former WHA franchises.

By: Fred - Brandon MB

Fred - Brandon MB — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:46:11 +0000

The "Poison Dwarf" is just simply out of touch with reality. He will cling to his failed strategy until the day he dies, or the day the owners wake up. Hockey will never be more than a curiousity in markets without real ice and snow.

By: Justin Bourne

Justin Bourne — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:41:41 +0000

Ho-ly. You really nailed Bettman to the cross. How can anyone expect a guy to be likable who's put on the defense every question asked?

By: JimD

JimD — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:41:51 +0000

Everyone that hates Bettman shoudl watch "Bon Cop, Bad Cop".

By: JimD

JimD — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:41:17 +0000

The only difference is, few people in Phoenix could give a damn if the Coyotes left. They have a metro area of about 4.3 million people, yet they can't get enough fans out to come close to filling the arena.