First, he and the NHL put a stipulation on Jim Balsillie's deal to buy the Pittsbrugh Penguins franchise of not being able to move the team without the permission of the NHL and himself (buyer was going to put up the money to build a new arena worth over 200 million) to the location of Kitchner-Waterloo. Because of this Balsillie backed out of the deal.
Second, after the Casino deal goes up in smoke because of idoitic religious folks that believe the money earned from the casino is dirty and sinful, and the politicians go along with this in hopes not to be voted out when election time comes again, he goes to say that he will support the franchise if (and when) it will move.
WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP!!
Who agrees with me that Gary Bettman, no matter how well he did when he was a senior executive of the NBA, and has done great things for the game, (i.e./ expand franchises, raise profits, etc...) a lawyer from New York SHOULD not be running the greatest game in the world!!
2006-12-20 07:59:15 · 22 answers · asked by Katina 2 in Sports ➔ Hockey
You said a lot here that makes sense to me. NBA and lawyer are 2 reasons to get rid of him. He can never admit to making a mistake. When something isn't working he pushes on making it worse instead of admitting and changing gears.
2006-12-20 11:48:11 · answer #1 · answered by Speed Of Thought 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The player's share rose to 57% because of the agreement Bettman insisted on last time. We lost a whole season and everybody agrees that the players were the ones who finally caved. So this agreement that Bettman says is so unworkable is entirely on him, not the players. Given that history, why would the players or anyone else trust that Gary will get it right this time? Also it was the owners who started handing out those long term, front loaded contracts so they could avoid the very salary cap that they had insisted upon. Now after a series of 100 million dollar contracts for these owners to hold players responsible is laughable. If he is not careful Bettman will be remembered as the commissioner who brought about the demise of the NHL. I really cannot believe that a hockey fan would be a Bettman fan.
2016-05-23 01:35:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-06-09 08:24:37 · answer #3 · answered by Ana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Want to know whats wrong with Bettman, he is jealous that all Canadian teams are sold out every night and team like Phoenix, Columbus and many others are almost empty. Hockey is Canada's sport, we love it and we care for it so why move all the teams where it doesn't work ... We need a new commisionner and really really fast. Hockey is working fine in Northern state of the United States because we have the same climate and it is old tradition, why not move the Pens to Winnipeg or Quebec or even Hartford ... i bet you it would be crazy the ambiance in those places. But no .. instead Mr. Bettman prefers move teams where nobody cares about Hockey. Good Job Mr. Bettman, you are killing this beautiful sport.
Go Habs Go
2006-12-22 05:32:46 · answer #4 · answered by Deeee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a proud American and have loved hockey since I became aware of it in 1974. But Bettman is trying to "Americanize" a sport that will do better while staying regional. We don't need teams farther south than Washington or St. Louis. We don't need the game turned into the Ice Capades. I support his desire to keep the Pens in Pittsburgh but have to wonder what his thinking was in this whole mess. (Personally, I have the feeling that recent developments are actually going to be a good thing for the Penguin fans - check out my previous answer). I'll bet my $25,000 pickup truck that we will see teams go out of business within 7 or 8 years, and some Canadian teams (Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton) relocate to American cities. But the Pens will stay in Pittsburgh. And maybe Bettman will be back in the Justice System.
2006-12-20 14:45:31 · answer #5 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hes running the penguins out of Pittsburgh to Canada. Now I'm Canadian I love hockey, but it just doesn't seem right the guy shouldn't have been such an a****** and let that guy who was offering a 200 million deal pass up on it. This guy took the NHL out of North America for a whole season. He looks like a weasel and should be fired. The only good thing coming out of the penguins moving is that their moving to Canada and we need more hockey teams but not like this.
2006-12-20 10:03:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Gary Bettman got his X-mas wish early this year, he knew that the deal of the Isles Capri Casino chain was not 100% of getting the deal which they didn't today, cause he knew Basillie was going to move the team to Canada and Bettman doesn't want another team in Canada and that's why he came in to push Basillie's offer of the table which worked. Bettman doesn't care if the team stays in Pittsburgh as long as they stay in the U.S. Gary Bettman must leave the NHL cause he is hurting this game and he knows nothing about hockey in the first place.
Ronnie Gardocki>>> he had lots to do with Winnipeg moving out of Canada. the Jets needed one more year they would of build the new arena but Bettman made the decision so fast that nobody even tried. the Canadian dollar is very strong compare to what it was 5 years ago and with the new salary cap a Canadian team will succeed in the NHL.
TFoley500...>>>> its Bettman that scared off Basillie's offer off the table, Basillie said and promised Mario Lemieux that if Isles Capri would of won the rights to build a new arena he would of kept the team in Pittsburgh. but Bettman knew that it wasnt 100% that Isles Capri was going to get the votes which Bettman was right and that why Bettman scared off Basillie because he knew Basillie wanted to bring the team to Canada. Bettman wants the team to stay in the U.S he doesnt care if they stay in Pittsburgh or move to another city as long as its in the U.S. Basillie did the right thing of taking his offer off the table cause he would of been stuck somewhere in the U.S.
GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!1
2006-12-20 19:01:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bettman is misguided because he is interested in one thing only--growing the game in the U.S.
Even though he is a very smart man, he doesn't seem to understand that hockey is a regional sport that will only ever thrive in certain markets. It will never challenge baseball, football or basketball on a national basis. Most people enjoy the sports that they played as children (baseball, football etc.) How many Americans grew up playing hockey??? That is the same reason why soccer has never taken off here, while it is the most popular sport in the rest of the world.
You can't force things to happen, and that is what Bettman is doing with hockey in the U.S. Can you honestly tell me that Nashville, Atlanta, Florida and Phoenix will all still have their teams 10 years from now???
Gary, let the game grow in places where people appreciate hockey!
2006-12-20 08:34:00 · answer #8 · answered by igollert 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Pittsburgh citizens love hockey and the fact that the penguins will move to Kansas City. What the hell? Who will care about the Kansas City Penguins? Such talent as Malkin and Crosby to Kansas City. Well go Pens this and next year. Reak hell on the league and if ur gone that sux but PENS fans we got at least two more years lets make em great!
LETS GO PENS!!!
2006-12-20 10:56:02 · answer #9 · answered by Ducky 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i dissagree with you on the stipulation on the sale... the nhl is the only pro sports league where you dont have to have a majority vote by the other owners and league commish to move a team and they need to have that rule but i do agree with the casino thing hell the catholic church has hosted gambling nights for centuries... anyone ever hear of bingo? thats gambling ladies and gents making the church its hosted at a casino
2006-12-20 08:06:44 · answer #10 · answered by mr benis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring back the Prince of Wales and Clarance Campbell Conferences!
Bring back the Norris, Adams, Patrick, and Smythe divisions!
Bring back the Quebec Nordiques and the Winnipeg Jets!
Fire that little turd Betteman! He's totally f'ed up the "Coolest Game on Ice"!
2006-12-20 08:29:05 · answer #11 · answered by kjbopp 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋