Honest question: Is there one person on Yahoo answers that actually doesn't think Bettman is a doofus?

Question

I'm not saying this as an attack, just an observation that that I can recall exactly zero positive reviews of Bettman's work in the NHL thus far. I'm just curious to see if anybody can remember at least one Bettman apologist.

No seriously, I really wanna know. Does anyone like Bettman?

Answer 1

I'm usually sticking up for him at least to point out that some of the reasoning I see is terribly linear and narrow-minded. I don't know him well enough to say whether I like him or not. But there are some realistic things that need to be pointed out;

1) He cannot make the owners do ANYTHING they don't want to do.

2) He is NOT the boss.

3) He has at least 30 bosses.

4) He can be fired at ANY time.

5) He has nothing, absolutely NOTHING against Canadian cities having an NHL team.

All that said, I do agree that the NHL has changed in some ways that I don't approve of, but even the geniuses at the NHL will eventually get the idea that hockey is a regional sport that best serves the interests of the traditional fans and northern climates.

It's fundamentally insane to think that one man can make all these changes by himself. It's also an insult to one's intelligence.

Answer 2

I like Gary.

I've had the pleasure of working with him and the owners on several projects, as well as having had the joy of working with the NHLPA and Gary on several projects.

Most people here want to blame him for everything, but most of the NHLPA and the owners think he's done a wonderful job.

It's not being an apologist, but realizing that a lot of the groundwork for what we have today was laid out by John Ziegler (current divisional set-up, the initial foray into 'strange' US markets (San Jose, Anahaim, Tampa, and Miami).

The difference between Ziegler and Bettman is that Ziegler came out if his office once a year, and Bettman actually speaks to the public.

Personally, I would prefer to see somebody in there who knows the game, and how to market it in the south...........but I don't think such a person exists.

Answer 3

I've interviewed Bettman a few times. There's no doubt in my mind that he's a pretty sharp guy in a number of ways.

He's a little handstrung by the owners who serve as his bosses, and I'm not sure he'll ever get over the fact with some fans that he's not a lifelong hockey guy. Gary also comes across as a bit arrogant -- of course, David Stern sometimes acts that way too.

I'm not saying Bettman has been great, but I'm not sure who can handle hockey's problems.

Answer 4

Thats like asking if anyone likes the Islanders.. your gunna get the same response.. Bettman Is just like The Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr., they are screw ups and cant do one thing right for their lives, its these kind of people that are ruining OUR NHL, Seriously. It's like they dont have brains..

Answer 5

think the leader of the nba that is in cahoots with bettman to lower the nhl's ratings likes him

Answer 6

I think he was right trying to get increase the appeal of the NHL - higher scoring, faster games, salary cap, new uniforms...

But he's done an awful job carrying it out.

Answer 7

Gary sucks, get a Canadian in there.

Former CFL Commissioner Tom Wright is unemployed I hear!

Answer 8

Well, I've defended him from unfair criticism before (lockout and such- not his fault) but there's plenty of FAIR criticism (VERSUS, glow pucks...)

But no, I don't think that anybody here actually thinks he's doing a good job.

Answer 9

He's done everything to get hockey out of Canada. He's trying to make it a US sport... He's an a**hole.

Answer 10

Well, I don't think he's a doofus. I think he's several levels below that.