NHL in better place because of Bettman
Go ahead, boo — but he’s been good for game
David Branch distinctly remembers what he refers to as his first “Gary Bettman moment.”
It was at a junior hockey game and the OHL’s commissioner was on hand to drop the ceremonial puck with a former player from the home team. When the player had been introduced, the arena had erupted in cheers. And then, came Branch’s intro.
“It was like flipping a switch,” he said. “It went from an outstanding ovation to a chorus of boos. A friend of mine was in the stands and he said this guy, who didn’t know who I was, leaned over to him and said, ‘Why are they booing?’
“My friend said: ‘Because he’s the commissioner.’ ”
In other words, Branch understands better than most that Bettman’s job is a thankless one. Which is why he was more than happy to give Bettman the equivalent of a pat on the back by voting him into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
“I’m a huge admirer,” said Branch, one of 18 members on the Hall’s selection committee.
Consider Branch part of a small group. It’s nothing personal. Whether he or she is presiding over amateurs or paid professionals, no one really likes the commissioner of any sports league. The reason is because the commissioner is working for the greedy owners — not the fans. Often, it means he’s the fall guy for decisions beyond his control.
“To some extent, these are thankless positions,” said AHL commissioner Dave Andrews. “But Gary would very much be appreciated by the ownership in the league and the management in the league and a lot of the stakeholders who he’s really helped. I think he’s very much appreciated for what he’s done.”
To most everyone else, he’s become a face on a dartboard.
You picture Bettman and what immediately come to mind are the three labour stoppages, the refusal to go to the 2018 Olympics and the denial linking concussions with CTE. As former player Daniel Carcillo, who is part of a lawsuit filed against Bettman alleging the league did not warn its players of the long-term risk of brain damage from playing hockey, tweeted on Tuesday: “Gary Bettman had a hand in every death by withholding info about the risks of doing their job.”
From a fan’s perspective, it is jeer worthy. And with the CBA set to expire in another couple of years, potentially resulting in another lockout, it was a curious decision why the NHL didn’t wait until Bettman was at least retired before inducting him into the builder’s category.
Then again, based on how revenues have climbed since 2012-13, another labour stoppage might cause the owners to deify him ever more.
“I’ve long marvelled at the strength of Mr. Bettman and his leadership skills, which include an incredible toughness to make tough decisions,” said Branch. “I think he’s been the right leader at the right time to help the league grow at all levels of the game.”
When Bettman replaced Gil Stein as commissioner in 1993, the NHL was basically a mom-and-pop league worth US$400 million. Today, you can’t even buy a franchise for that amount.
Under Bettman, the NHL has reached the big time, expanding from 24 to 31 teams, with another soon to be on the way, and growing revenues north of $3 billion. He’s changed the landscape as to where hockey is played and by whom it’s being played. The NHL is the only pro sports league playing in Vegas. At this year’s NHL Draft, there were players selected from 14 different countries, including one each from Jamaica, Thailand and England.
Without Bettman’s controversial sunbelt expansion to Arizona and other nontraditional hockey markets, 2016 No. 1 overall pick Auston Matthews might be playing for the Toronto Blue Jays — not Maple Leafs. Without his stubbornness in refusing to relocate troubled franchises, Nashville wouldn’t have celebrated a trip to last year’s final.
“The growth of the game — and I just don’t look at it in terms of the dollars and cents and the financial component — is very real and significant,” said Branch. “When you describe the franchise locations and some of the challenges in moving a franchise or not to move a franchise, I’ve really learned a lot from Mr. Bettman.”
Under his rule, he has given fans a product that is far superior to the skate-inmud style of game that dominated the early ’90s.
When was the last time you saw a staged fight or players getting away with hooking and holding a player because they couldn’t keep up? The game still has its issues regarding concussions, but hits to the head are finally trending down. Players are smaller and more skilled than ever before — including goalies, whose equipment isn’t as bulky — and because of various rule changes that Bettman helped to introduce, we’re seeing more goals and more highlight-reel plays.
The NHL is no longer thought of as a fringe sport in parts of the U.S. After a successful expansion into Vegas, where more eyeballs were on this year’s Stanley Cup final than in the past three years, the league is now rubbing shoulders with the NFL, NBA and MLB.
That’s Bettman’s doing. And it’s worth applauding.
I THINK HE’S BEEN THE RIGHT LEADER AT THE RIGHT TIME.