Bettman's tenure as NHL commissioner has come under heavy criticism by fans and the media. As the NHL commissioner or assistant, he oversaw work stoppages in 1992, 1994, and 2004. Four franchises declared bankruptcy (Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and Buffalo).
Bettman has also been accused of aggressively pushing the game into non-traditional markets at the expense of traditional ones in order to chase his dream of a major American television contract and to chase expansion money. This resulted in the league slowly losing its significance in the sports world.
2007-10-09 13:16:42 · 13 answers · asked by AbsoluteMart! 4 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Again, I don;t think he should, and the players and owners both voted him an extention in Columbus.
The 1992 work stoppage was overseen by John Ziegler...........and for the record, Alan Eagleson told the players to walk out. Bettman had absolutely no role in the NHL until he took the office of commissioner after Gil Stein dishnonoured the position.
Legally, the Los Angeles Kings have never declared bankruptcy. Bruce McNall declared bankruptcy as a result of 236 convictions of fraud (none involving the team, but some of which he used the team as collateral), a judge ordered disposal of the hockey team as it was his only high performing asset at the time.
The Buffalo Sabres only declared bankruptcy because they were part of the Adelphia franchise. The Sabres themselves have never made a lot of money, but they've never lost money either.
Pittsburgh and Ottawa were cases where poor management combined with poor corporate support led to a sever lack of funds.
Again, the owners choose the cities where the league expands, not Bettman. Prospective cities pay a fee, give a presentation, and the owners vote on it. Bettman does NOT have a vote unless there is a tie.
Also, Bettman is paid a straight salary....expansion fees? He gets none. Television money? He gets none.
2007-10-09 14:12:41 · answer #1 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think David Stern pushed him into commissioner of the NHL so that way he could ruin hockey and keep the NBA at the tops of viewership in the U.S. It's the only explanation for what he's done.
I'd also have to say he really pissed off purists doing some really dumb things: removing the traditional names of the conferences and divisions and giving them regional names, changing the format of the All-Star game so instead of being east-west it's what now? Skins vs. shirts? International vs. N. America? Moving the All-Star game to mid-week to guarantee total lack of viewership? What. . . .the. . . .hell????
The expansion thing is also a bit puzzling, one of the reasons why the NHL was exciting was seeing groups of good players together, not seeing them scattered all over hither and yon, while watching very mediocre teams with very diluted talent pools turn the game into clutch-and-grab, then having to monkey with rules about where a goaltender can be, the size of the crease, etc. etc., to increase scoring.
Rather than address the symptoms of his monkey-business, he should shrink the league back down and get expansion out of people's minds, make marketing decisions that make sense, and negotiate in good faith with the NHLPA.
Yes, Bettman seriously needs to quit.
2007-10-09 13:36:55 · answer #2 · answered by yuu_sama 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't understand why Scotty Bowman couldn't do the job. Why is it necessary for the Commish to be some lawyer? I think it would be great to have a really good retiree take over Bettman's job as NHL Commissioner. Lity is just too modest and he knows his stuff, just like you do, Snoop!! :-)
2016-05-20 02:19:27 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, yes and yes. He does not withhold the ability to run the NHL effectively. Hockey has lost much interest in North America and needs to have more viewers in order to be as successful as it once was. GARY BETTMAN DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO DO THIS!! I want to resign and allow Bryan Murray to take his spot :P
2007-10-09 13:21:56 · answer #4 · answered by 4th and Long 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Trrue that but 3 of the 4 teams that were aforementioned are doing great now with the players thay have aquired and he has done good things for the game like cutting down on cheap shots and things like that
2007-10-09 13:30:02 · answer #5 · answered by Gregger 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Slowly losing importance?
I used to know hundreds of Blackhawks fans, now I don't know 1. Hockey is dead in Chicago and the only reason I'm going back is because Wortz is dead.
Hockey needs to go back to it's roots, remove these stupid new rules and make the old Hockey hubs your focus again.
2007-10-09 13:48:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
He will as soon as the job with the NBA opens. Imagine a midget in charge of basketball. Is this an SNL skit or what?
2007-10-09 14:22:37 · answer #7 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes but the chances of that happening are about the same as GWB sounding intelligent!
2007-10-09 13:36:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does a bear sh*t in the woods? When NASCAR has a bigger following and more TV contracts, it's time to make a change.
2007-10-09 16:00:34 · answer #9 · answered by Laying Low- Not an Ivy Leaguer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
absolutely he is a moron he needs to get hockey back on espn cuz hockey is dying under his reign
2007-10-09 13:20:36 · answer #10 · answered by hockeykicksass2009 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋