News Article: 32 years of Gary Bettman

[smithformeragent]

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thehockeynews.com

The beginning of February tomorrow marks the 32nd record-breaking year of Gary Bettman as NHL Commissioner.

No other pro sports leader could make that statement; nor ever will. But Bettman's marvelous achievement did not happen by accident.

When Bettman took over on February 1, 1993, he inherited a holy mess which was neither easily nor quickly fixed. But they were and the result is an NHL that never has been healthier.

 

[rfournier103]

As a fan, I liked the NHL the way it was.

I think Bettman has run his course and he’s done more than enough already. Time to move on. Preferably on to someone with an actual background in hockey.

 

[Jim]

As a fan, I liked the NHL the way it was.

I think Bettman has run his course and he’s done more than enough already. Time to move on. Preferably on to someone with an actual background in hockey.

I also liked it better. It may not have gained the family crowd, but it was a better product. You can argue there was less talent, but there was more entertainment and less x’ & o’s. The league reached less people, but the smaller league allowed for true familiarity & animosity between teams.

Today’s NHL is a fully commercial product: scrubbed for everyone’s comfort, targeting all audiences, and one would assume both the owner and players are richer for it. Can’t blame them, but can’t blame the fans that liked what they grew up with better either.

Changing the Commissioner, after a 32 year campaign in one direction, won’t do anything to bring the old game back. All it does is determine how the game will continue to change going forward.