Phoenix over Winnipeg? Eliminating the Redline? Refusing to even suggest enlarging rinks to enhance play? Trading ESPN for Outdoor Life (Vs.)? Shootouts every night? Killing an entire season? Why is such a man commissioner?
2007-11-02 17:57:23 · 5 answers · asked by Goethe's Ghostwriter 7 in Sports ➔ Hockey
The only complaint you make that I disagree with is the taking out of the redline. The 2-line pass closed the neutral zone and was one reason scoring started to decline. So, I like that they are trying to open the game up in the regard, but making the ice surface Olympic size would be perfect. Bettman has made so many changes that have made this game more like basketball on ice. I wish the league would realize he is the reason hockey is listed last on every major sports page in hockey worth portions of the US.
2007-11-02 18:03:19 · answer #1 · answered by Justin R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. Phoenix over Winnipeg
- what does Bettman have to do with this. Barry Shenkarow was free to sell the team wo whomever he wanted. He spent 6 years looking for local ownership - none came through. So he sold it to somebody who had money.
2. Eliminating the Redline
- Bettman had nothing to do with this either. This was a result of the competition/rules committee led by Brendan Shanahan. The Governors have voted several times in the past 60 years to eliminate only to have it rejected by the players. Most International and Junior play no longer has it and several of the younger player complained about not being able to get used to it. Remember, the Red Line was an addition to the game in the 40s.
3. Refusing to suggest enlarging rinks?
- Well, why don't you suggest it and then come up with the neccessary $1.2B it would cost to refurbish the arenas as well as the $20MM in seat revenues that teams would lose annually...unless you're willing to pay extra for your seat elsewhere in the arena
4. Trading ESPN for OLN
- Bettman didn't trade ESPN for OLN...He took the ESPN deal to the owners...the owners unanaimously rejected it. ESPN had no intention of re-visiting it.
5. Shootouts every night?
- can't help you there
6. Killing an entire season
- He was a mediator. Blame the players and the owners who kept rejecting each other's offers. Hell, there are still players upset that the lockout is over because they feel their Union was stupid for giving a 24% salary rollback.
2007-11-03 03:44:43 · answer #2 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Good points...except for the red-line and enlarging the rinks.
The two-line pass is proven to increase scoring and makes the game faster. International and European hockey has proved that. Everybody loves it. You're in the minority.
As for enlarging the rinks, what do you expect him to do? Refit every single arena in the league? Do you know how much that will cost? Do you know how much they will lose just on revenue alone? With the added ice, they will lose potential seats that could fill people. Would you do agree to that if you were the owner?
2007-11-02 18:24:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Bettman and George Bush. Hard,relentless, and repeatedly.
2007-11-03 01:27:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh, oh! Can I have first crack? Oh wait, he's half my size. I wonder if I can rent a midget to do it for me?
How about we strap him to a skateboard and take turns using him as a bowling ball? No helmet for him though.
2007-11-03 03:50:44 · answer #5 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋