Congratulations Mr.Bettman
Posted 4:37 PM ET | Comments 7
There have been few occasions over the last decade or so where Gary Bettman was the envy of the other major sports league's commissioners.
This is one of them.
League revenues are surging, players are being paid well and there is parity like we've rarely seen before.
But most importantly there are no Barry Bonds, Mike Vicks or Tim Donaghys.
Mr.Bettman doesn't have to decide if he wants to watch a record be broken by a rule breaker. He doesn't have to decide on whether a player indicted on ferderal charges should play in the upcoming season. And he doesn't have to deal with referees fixing games for gamblers.
The applause comes few and far between but here is one spot where Mr.Bettman deserves a hand.
This is one of them.
League revenues are surging, players are being paid well and there is parity like we've rarely seen before.
But most importantly there are no Barry Bonds, Mike Vicks or Tim Donaghys.
Mr.Bettman doesn't have to decide if he wants to watch a record be broken by a rule breaker. He doesn't have to decide on whether a player indicted on ferderal charges should play in the upcoming season. And he doesn't have to deal with referees fixing games for gamblers.
The applause comes few and far between but here is one spot where Mr.Bettman deserves a hand.
Congratulations Mr. Bettman? Only a Sens fan....The fact that there is no Barry Bonds, Mike Vicks or Time Donaghys is because hockey players are not only the best athletes on the planet, they are also the best people.Screw revenues because there are still teams in Atlanta, Florida, Phoenix and Nashville while cities like Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Quebec have no teams.I sincerely hope this whole thing was being sarcastic, otherwise, shame on you.
There's a little sarcasm and a little truth in this post. It is a good time to be the NHL right now. Even if it's more due to what other commissioners have to deal with. Comments like "screw revenues" and "hockey players are...the best people (on earth)" tell me you probably didn't think your comment all the way through.
ummm, if Bettman did step in and pressure Leipold to block Balsillie, he might face a scandal himself, because Balsillie was making a huge offer for the preds which would have increased the value of NHL teams across the board. The BOG is made up of owners. They can't be happy losing value or looking like fools yet again.
I agree with unholy goalie in a sense that the reason why there aren't these problems wiht hockey is due to the fact that hockey players are good people in general. I think they just have a bit more sense than most other atheletes. The celebrity of being a hockey player is just not the same as being a baseball player or football player(North american and world). Most people say they're the most grounded athletes oof any of the major sports. Let's not give Bettman any credit because frankly I don't like him. He's a cancer to the game and he only thinks in dollar signs. However, sometimes I don't even know if this is accurate; why block a deal that would increase the value of all the teams in the league by millions and move a team where it will without a doubt make money. Bettman is truly twisted and who knows hoow this man thinks. I'm done my rant. "Let's impeach the president...." then let's impeach Bettman
I'm in agreement with the other comments. Giving Bettman credit for the general decency of players is a bit misguided - maybe we should give the players credit for that one. Surging revenues? Well, I remain skeptical on that one - unless Gary's responsible for the incredible rise of the loonie over the last couple of years. I also suspect they've been less than honest with their books. As for parity, phooy. I don't think it's very edifying to watch the dismantling of the Sabres and even the Preds (well managed teams).And, as Jsaquella pointed out there could be a fun legal challenge brewing with Balsillie - which might end the chance of a second team in Southern Ontario for a generation but should be great spectacle.
I agree.. only a sens fan.. delusional as always. Next we're gonna hear that Jason Spezza actually passed grade 10.
Let's face it, hockey players are different and Gary Bettman has nothing to do with that. What they have that many American pro football, basketball, and baseball players don't have is something called humility. They are humble people. You don't see them wearing huge gold, 15lb, Mercedes Benz necklaces. Quite a few drive old beater trucks or cars from their junior hockey days. You don't see them or hear them making fools of themselves publicly. Nor beating their wives or girlfriends. Why? Many of us/them grew up in small, rural places. Places where family, family friends, and sometimes the entire town, watched each player closely and raised them with a close eye - always keeping the simple things of life in full perspective. Hockey towns where is takes the full dedication of parents to equip the players and drive the players, and often times spend a small fortune on the players. With that dedication usually comes an unusual amount of adult supervision and support. We have to be watchful that the down to earth humilty of the NHL players never changes. Since our young boys look up to these guys so much, when the attitudes and actions of the NHL players start to morph into the likes of other professional athletes (me, me, me, me), then we are in trouble. In 2006-2007, I saw a couple of examples that make me a bit more attentive than hockey seasons past. We all know the salary cap was raised and really big money is being floated out - even to average players. I have full faith the NHLers will not forget the lessons of their youth and will remain the same small town boys.