He is nothing more than a YES man. he is NO different than any other Sport Commissioner. They do what are told and are paid BIG BUCKS to fall on the sword for the owners when things go bad. Just like what the NHL is experiencing now.
He started being disliked when he thought larger non traditional hockey markets would make more money than smaller more traditional hockey markets. Minnesota, Winnipeg, Quebec City, Hartford
@@Nathanielhiggerson66 If they are winning. The thing Bettman knows is that hockey markets that do not have teams watch hockey and support the NHL. Having a team in Vegas is taping into something that was previously providing zero income. It’s also a very large population. If you put a team in Quebec City you are no doubt going to have a dedicated fanbase, but it is a lot of people already viewing games etc.
Bettman seriously needs to write a book when he retires, i'd love to hear some actual insight on his career and the behind the scenes of what its actually like to be a sports commissioner vs. what people think its actually like. He could have a humorously ironic title, like "With Thunderous Applause: The Gary Bettman Story."
Check out the book, "The Instigator" by Jonathon Gatehouse. A really interesting look at behind the scenes NHL goings on and it's focused on Bettman. A good read.
NGL If he (Bettman) actually did write a book if he were to retire, I'd actually buy and read that whether it's a physical copy or a digital on Audible or something.
I love sports betting, it can add a fun dynamic for people that are comfortable and have the money. I do it on occasion, but yeah, its troubling in a lot of ways for betting to be so aligned with the sport. I mean, imagine being someone who is a problem gambler, in PGH, they might have trouble even GOING to a game in person, theres a literal sportsbetting lounge in PPG Paints, they blast the odds on screens all over the arena for BetRivers. Its really a problem. There are ads for sportsbetting all over the tv broadcasts, I know a lot of local pregames have a literal "betting expert" that does a segement on the odds for the night. Its gross, and thats coming from someone who has no problem with the concept of gambling.
Betting/gambling has really come on strong in all sports in the last decade, in, it seems, every country. The bookies, the purveyors of misery, sadly a revenue stream for many things (adverts and such), but ultimately themselves, you never see a poor bookmaker.
There’s a reason that even when you see your team win the Stanley cup on home ice it gets boo’d while being handed over. That’s because betman is touching it
@@tyrous1743 But Buttman is just such a fucking unlikeable weasel! I never heard of previous NHL head honchos getting the same negative reaction almost anywhere he goes before Buttman came in...
Shannon makes a great point in that it is much easier to get 32 people to agree on how to achieve a common goal as opposed to 300. I think we as fans should remember this before we pick sides the next time that there is talk about a lockout. Who are the real greedy ones? Is it the large group of millionaires or the small group of billionaires?
Great vid Shannon. That said, you should also mention that Gary engages well with the fanbase. What other commissioner calls to check in with the top hockey RUclipsr at major milestones?
In my opinion, NO hockey team should have to pick sides on social issues. Mainly because it’s a no-win situation, as whatever side you choose to endorse, you are pissing off a huge portion of your fan base.
Great video as always Shannon, I feel like even us fans only care for a certain amount of time and then like everything else something else comes up and we forget about the uncomfortable things not only hockey but all sports leagues do behind the scenes. I think also a reason why the owners always get fans support during a lockout is because as fans the owner 99 percent of the time will keep the team in our city whereas players come and go but the team will always be here. Just my two cents.
I remember when Bettman came in. Back then I had to drive twenty minutes to get USA today which I bought many times every week here in Norway for hockey news and results. Back then I dreamed of something like the internet. Can’t remember when I last bought s newspaper. In the 80s and especially the 90s I bought one every day. What I read back then was that he had done an amazing job in the NBA and the NHL should be very Happy to have him lead the league.
Now I understand why the league does not promote its players more. If the players have a bigger media presence and a closer relationship with the fans then they have more power to sway public opinion, and more leverage with the league and the owners.
i wouldn't go that far. NFL players have a pretty big media presence and their players have almost NO leverage. The problem with social media is, most of these guys just don't have the personality to draw a presence on SM. Could you see a Sidney Crosby posting IG pics? Most people in the states don't even know he has a gf. And you can say well IN Canada... Ya Canada has the population of 1 US state. Sorry
Shannon: " I want to talk about Gary Bettman.." Obi-Wan : "I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in booing..."
Great video. This is how many businesses work, for example, do you hate TicketMaster? They play the same role for your favourite musicians as Bettman does for NHL franchises... they are a lightning rod.
@The Hockey Guy excellent educational video. 💙 i've been following the game since 1980 and you have told everything to a T. nhl has the best game imo of the major 4 to watch as a fan yet is the red-headed stepchild when it comes to economics and league leadership in dealing with any matter. cheers from southern ontario 🍁
Coincidence? The Steve Dangle Podcast Network released a podcast about the 1992 10 day strike earlier today with Adam Wylde and Allan Walsh interviewing Glenn Healy.
The NHL started to grow financially after the 2005 lockout and the rise of the Canadian dollar. Prior to that, most franchises were losing money. In 2002, only the Leafs, Rangers, Stars, Avs, and Flyers were making money.
Being a Habs fan growing up in Montreal in the 90s, I was a huge Patrick Roy fan. Then one day, I think I was like...7 or 8, my mom tells me "oh, Patrick Roy's a piece of shit. he beats up his wife. how can he still play? how are you a fan of his?" and I just stared at her blankly not knowing what she was talking about lol.
“I can only speak from my heart, in terms of my commitment, our team’s commitment to getting this right. So that somebody else isn’t coming forward months or years from now because we failed them. That’s what my commitment to you and everybody who’s listening is.” - Mark Chipman That is the sort of thing Bettman ought to be saying, but is not.
Thank god someone finally mentioned the gambling. As much as I love Steve Dangle, he gets his money from sportsnet and sports interactions and its the same for the rest of hockey punditry. Its already destroying soccer in Europe. Don't let it happen here.
Gambling made players and owners alot richer thanks to gambling teams have more capital to spend on academys. In sweden when they allowed gambling sponsorship the clubs got alot richer thus can compete better in europe
I will never forgive bettman for the 04 lockout. Litteraly submarined the flyers best window for a cup, we had to tlose so many good players to be cap compliant, which inevitably forced us into a painful rebuild. All while watch ex flyers win cups on other teams . Thank you bettman!
The only way for fans to make a difference is top stop buying tickets and jerseys when something is amiss and the NHL won't set it right, and hold on until the NHL breaks to the pressure.
I also think the focus on sunbelt teams makes a ton of sense for the league as a whole and hockey fans. As much as I would love to see more Canadian teams, Midwest teams, and northern teams ; I think we have a solid balance now that really makes sense. It gives everyone in the US and Canada a place to go to see hockey. As a Minnesota guy who moved to Virginia, I love that I can easily see a Wild game in Washington, DC, Nashville, and even Florida when I’m down there. I miss Atlanta having a team despite hating the thrasher name, logo, and color scheme. I’m not sure Florida needs two teams but it’s fine. I also appreciate living in the south and having hockey fans around because of the existence of these other southern teams. Virginia has a ton of passionate Capital fans.
To be real, I have been an avid NHL fan for about 15 years and have never felt super uncomfortable with much when it comes to watching hockey, but the push for online gambling sources is really getting close to that territory for me. I see commercials multiple times per game encouraging people to piss away their hard earned dollars on draft kings, the online 50/50 and multiple other online sources all from the comfort of their own homes, meaning those who are addicted literally have nowhere to go to be safe from that temptation. Not that this is anything new for sports in the internet based age, but I think its extremely dangerous and is a really greasy money making tactic that the NHL is picking up on here.
agree - eventually greed gets them all . and it is not just the NHL - all sports are doing it - and it wont be long and we wont recognize the games we enjoy -.
The players need to get together to force the owners to get rid of Bettman. They need to follow the NBA's lead with a commissioner that does good for all parties involved, owners, players and fans.
Bettman gets a lot of hate sometimes rightfully, but he has done a good job growing the game and the nhl has made more money under his watch. He also did a good job running the nhl during the global pandemic.
@@Fadeout14 NBA and MLB viewership shrank greatly since 93/94, NFL has been steady up and the NHL comes in waves; 2012/13 was peak but we've seen 10-15 percent increases in Wednesday games year over year the last couple seasons. The NHL is performing alright, albeit stagnant. In the meantime 2 of the other major sports are nosediving and if it weren't for betting the NBA would be in a sinkhole. I think it's fair to say he's done a decent job at maintaining trajectory.
@@Fadeout14 Where do you come up with that ? i wrote it somewhere already - when he started total revenue was $ 400 mil it is almost 5Bill now do you have any notion how difficult that is to do . it is fine that you dont like him but he is a very smart man
I, no joke, really appreciate Gary Bettman, in the way I appreciate heel managers in territory-era pro wrestling. As a human lightning rod, he wades through the hate exceptionally well!
just a thought. you said the players don't see anything from the 1billion that came in from expansion. but between 2 teams like 100 additional players (NHL and AHL) get to have contracts. they get to be NHLers. that is at least something.
I think its only a matter of time before the link between gambling and the league leads to a scandal of some sort...all that money can't help but lead to corruption of some sort sometime.
Higher Canadian taxes and that players dont want to play in Canada unless they are over paid is why Canadian teams haven't won since 93.... Canada is a shithole in most players' eyes and would rather play in low tax warm weather divisions.
Jesus talk about small cock syndrome - look at the managements of the Canadian teams - through most of that entire period the managements have been atrocious. Edmonton - Kevin Lowe - Craig Mctavish - that was a real braintrust. Toronto - how about JFJ? Montreal - 10 yrs of Bergevin, never mind Rejean Houle, Calgary had some decent management - and they have been successful - they almost won in 2004. It has a whole lot more to do with that - and the pressure /scrutiny in Canadian market than any sabotage. I grew up in Canada- consider it home so hearing stupid whiny shit like that is so unbecoming - I like to believe most Canadians are better than that.
Bettman has done a very good growing the league and the exposure to the game. I agree the league has been largely reactionary to issue that have arisen, but at the same time, the NHL is a good product now. Far more enjoyable to watch than the NBA. HE has his flaws and errors sure, but largely I respect him and the job he has done.
That draft lottery has been a wreck. Yet no substantial changes and just a few percentage tweeks a few years ago. The 2020 lottery rule modification, and the end result was totally preposterous (just so the league was in the headlines during COVID) Now they have added some more sane rules to the situation, but still too many frequent trippers to the top 5.
It's a lottery for a reason. Meant to discourage tanking. What happened in the season prior to Super Mario's draft was disgrace and what happened in the McDavid/Eichel draft to a lesser extent. Those sort of shenanigans should never happen again. Personally I'm annoyed they've softened the lottery.
PRESIDENTS OF THE NATIONAL HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 01. M. Doheney (1909-1910: 1 year) 02. Emmett Quinn (1910-1916: 6 years) Canadian 03. Frank Robinson (1916-1917: 1 year) 04. Frank Calder (1917) British PRESIDENTS OF THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE 01. Frank Calder (1917-1943: 26 years) British 02. Red Dutton (1943-1946: 3 years) Canadian 03. Clarence Campbell (1946-1977: 31 years) Canadian 04. John Ziegler (1977-1992: 15 years) American 05. Gil Stein (1992-1993: 1 year) American COMMISSIONERS OF THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE 01. Gary Bettman (1993-Present: 28 years) American
Of course it is - and no they don't come anywhere near that and you are right franchise values have skyrocketed. As an example - Detroit red wings were bought in 1982 by Mike Illitch along with a joint partnership with the city for cobo and Joe Louis arena - that the city built - for $ 8mill. I don't know the estimated value today but it has to be close to $1 Billion - & you better believe they have made a LOT of $ during those 42 years. That kind of ROI is nearly impossible in most other endeavors
You can grow the NHL in New markets but also at same time bringing teams back to good hockey markets first I would continue NHL expansion in the south by putting NHL expansion team in Houston and Kansas city and have a expansion team in the state of Virginia by putting team in Virginia Beach which would grow the game and also put expansion team in Quebec city 36 team NHL 18 teams in the west and 18 teams in the east
Florida Panthers should be playing in Miami new arena there would sellout good hockey market just like Arizona is good hockey market just need new arena in the right location same thing in Ottawa put a arena in the downtown it would sellout where Ottawa Senators current arena is in the middle of nowhere
That is waaaaaaaay before Shannon's time. In reality CC was the president during the original 6 era . There were only 6 teams - only a few owners - pretty much dominated by Jimmy Norris through most of it. He and his brother owned a team. and besides their own rinks - Olympia and chicago stadium they owned the Boston Garden and Madison Square Garden too - they completely dominated a lot sports - the NHL and professional boxing. And they were more gangster than the 5 families - but really, they worked together with organized crime .
There were lots of possibilities there are a local group put together that bought them just so they would stay in Edmonton - i believe that was the ownership before Katz . They only owned the team for a couple of years
He's made the owners alot of money so I think Gary will probably go out on his own terms. We are talking about a guy who put himself in the HOF after all
Maybe your best video yet. NHL view on Hockey fans, complacent, forgetful, sit up, give me paw, play dead, GOOD BOY! and their right. lets examine the one thing the NHL is a leader on, ADDS! We used to make fun of soccer players with all the adds, now look at us. We have more advertising on the field of play than all other sports combined and the players are now billboards. The Hockey Guy can and should make a video on NHL statements concerning the adds. Only on boards.... few years later, just between the blue lines....few years later, just in the corners.......few years later, digital adds on glass....just for the people paying to see the game at home, now.......more digital adds on ice and only a "small" ad on the helm and then......?! Because as we lay down and play dead they keep it up all the time saying they need the revenue and there will be no more. I can't be the only one who finds the game UN-watchable with all the adds of distraction. A great game being ruined by it's own owners.
If the NHL contracted 4 weak revenue teams, the salary cap would go up by almost $10 million per team. It would be a kick in the nuts to the fringe players, but the stars would make a killing!!
At the end of the day, I only really have 1 complaint about Bettman (though letting the skate in the crease that ended the 99 cup finals is high, it's not it)... Many years ago the NBA was doing a strike/lockout... Bettman could have gone to TNT and other networks that suddenly had a hole in their schedules... and tried to get the NHL on them to fill those holes... and who knows, he may have tried.. but I doubt it.. Only do it to fill the holes and get the NHL some quality exposure... it's not about making money TODAY.. but opening the doors for tomorrow..
This discussion around Bettman has me thinking about how a month after the World Series ends we're in for an ugly labor dispute around MLB. Some of the same things you said about Bettman can also apply to Manfred as that presumably ugly that's gonna get.
With all this talk of sports betting... I think there's one obvious fact that we're all overlooking. His name's Gary 'Bet'man Bet. Man. We should have seen this coming.
That moment when THG has ads on his own channel, and I'm left trying to figure out if I hit next video or something because he looks different and he's unboxing a shirt.
Everyone who comments that they like the NHL under Bettman, or they think Bettman has done a good job, needs to consider how much better things could have been under a commissioner who had the best interest of the sport in mind, or at least someone who liked or understood the sport, or at least someone competent… or at least a human being.
I've been watching the NHL for a little over 50 years now - the game is better than it ever has been as far as skill and speed. I get that people don't like Bettman but he has done a fantastic job .the NHL revenue when he became commissioner Revenue was just over $600 million. Its now about to hit $6 Billion. Remember he works for the owners - how do you think they feel about him. And really when - Shannon - or anyone says "the owners" he really means the executive committee - there has always been one or two dominant owners. For the last many years it has been Jeremy Jacobs for a long time in the 70s and 80s it was dollar Bill Wirtz - they are more. Before that it was Jimmy Norris - those are really the final decision makers.
Overall, I think members of the NHL get paid far too much, players and owners (albeit the owners more than the players). Yes they should be paid well but making millions of dollars while most people can barely afford their bills is just cruel. Great video as always, Shannon!
Yeah that is right because he wanted to have teams all over the entire US large TV markets - so he could have a legitimate case to get National TV contract.
I don't know how the owners are actually view Bettman as positive for their pocket sizes since Bettman has been terrible at marketing the sport world wide. Also, MLB survived because the sudden influx of Asian players from oversea and widen their market. Then as bad as steroid is, it also saved MLB because of all the mad performances and generated many headlines like McGwire vs Sosa.
He’s made the owners super rich. They just got 660 million for an expansion franchise; 800 million for a tv contract and the players are making more money than ever with labour peace for 9 years. What am I missing, it’s still a business isn’t it?
I'm actually a fan of Bettman, he's made the league more profitable which in turn benefits everyone. and many teams including the oilers wouldn't be around today if we didn't have a salary cap.
Likewise, its honestly frustrating to try to explain to people how the League actually works, and how Bettman is simply a puppet for the owners. Its like talking to a wall sometimes.
@@hibby21 He makes the best of it - i am sure he doesn't like it - everyone would like to be liked - he has some odd mannerisms - his speech pattern is of a NYer - and he was an american coming to tell canadians how to run their game better - and they have always hated him for it . IF you can ever get past those things - and look objectively at what he has done - he has done a fabulous job - not just for the owners - there are about 350 guys playing in the NHL right now - who would otherwise be washing or selling cars - if it werent for Gary Bettman and his insistence on expanding into these non traditional hockey markets- which is how they have gotten national TV contracts . I grew up in Canada - love it - but people have a real chip on their shoulder . I live in Tennessee currently and i remember hearing people in Toronto screaming and crying how ridiculous it was that there was an NHL team in Nashville in around 2005-6 . I saw some of those same people talking about how great it was in 2017-8. I heard the same thing about Vegas before they started- what a joke it would be - etc etc. give people a chance .
This man has been in charge for two months longer than I've been /alive/, it's time to go. Like the NHL ownership is a joke of a boys club, the current sexual assault case is just the latest example of their complete selfishness. This feels like a similar situation to what's going on with the NWSL with the deep seeded player abuse that owners, who knew about it and turned a blind eye to, being in absolute control. The unfortunate fact is that until they face real actual consequences, which who knows how to actually go about it, it's only going to get worse and nothing is going to change.
Exactly. The $2M fine levied on the Blackhawks was a joke, especially to a team worth as much as it is. Even the Coyotes' owners wipe their rear ends with $2M. The owners and upper management of the League don't give a shit about fans until they start losing significant amounts of money
Got Married in Spring of 93 - just after Bettman became Commish. Our Honeymoon was in Aruba - The guy checking into our hotel in front of me was Gary Bettman who was berating and yelling at the woman at the counter because his Suite was not ready yet. He was so nasty. Couldn't believe how much of a jerk he was.
His general message: The owners are the problem, Bettman just represents them. And he is 100% right.
He is nothing more than a YES man. he is NO different than any other Sport Commissioner. They do what are told and are paid BIG BUCKS to fall on the sword for the owners when things go bad. Just like what the NHL is experiencing now.
He started being disliked when he thought larger non traditional hockey markets would make more money than smaller more traditional hockey markets. Minnesota, Winnipeg, Quebec City, Hartford
Also the public is dumb forgetful and easily persuaded
@@Buffalosabskis I think vegas will actually be a goldmine though
@@Nathanielhiggerson66 If they are winning. The thing Bettman knows is that hockey markets that do not have teams watch hockey and support the NHL. Having a team in Vegas is taping into something that was previously providing zero income. It’s also a very large population. If you put a team in Quebec City you are no doubt going to have a dedicated fanbase, but it is a lot of people already viewing games etc.
Shannon the Hockey Guy 👍
Shannon the History Teacher 👍 👍 👍
Shannon to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Shannon the Wise
Next channel: The History Guy (THG)
"NHL is always reactionary. They're followers." That should be their slogan
Bettman seriously needs to write a book when he retires, i'd love to hear some actual insight on his career and the behind the scenes of what its actually like to be a sports commissioner vs. what people think its actually like.
He could have a humorously ironic title, like "With Thunderous Applause: The Gary Bettman Story."
Check out the book, "The Instigator" by Jonathon Gatehouse. A really interesting look at behind the scenes NHL goings on and it's focused on Bettman. A good read.
NGL If he (Bettman) actually did write a book if he were to retire, I'd actually buy and read that whether it's a physical copy or a digital on Audible or something.
They pay him a ton of money to make sure he won't write a book.
I'm glad that someone other than myself is uncomfortable with betting being so allied with the sport.
I love sports betting, it can add a fun dynamic for people that are comfortable and have the money. I do it on occasion, but yeah, its troubling in a lot of ways for betting to be so aligned with the sport. I mean, imagine being someone who is a problem gambler, in PGH, they might have trouble even GOING to a game in person, theres a literal sportsbetting lounge in PPG Paints, they blast the odds on screens all over the arena for BetRivers. Its really a problem. There are ads for sportsbetting all over the tv broadcasts, I know a lot of local pregames have a literal "betting expert" that does a segement on the odds for the night. Its gross, and thats coming from someone who has no problem with the concept of gambling.
I'm just as uncomfortable, really don't like how it's a feature in every sport right now, even college which just feels wrong
Betting/gambling has really come on strong in all sports in the last decade, in, it seems, every country.
The bookies, the purveyors of misery, sadly a revenue stream for many things (adverts and such), but ultimately themselves, you never see a poor bookmaker.
Every sport is like this. I don't personally gamble but I always look at the odds pregame for any sport I watch.
@@LeylaDerben "Gambling is a vice that corrupts everything it touches" if that were True Vegas ,Monaco and Atlantic City wouldnt exist its help sports
There’s a reason that even when you see your team win the Stanley cup on home ice it gets boo’d while being handed over. That’s because betman is touching it
If the Wild, ever win the Stanley Cup on home ice, it would be best he stayed at home
They would boo whoever the commissioner is. Thats just how it works.
@@tyrous1743 But Buttman is just such a fucking unlikeable weasel! I never heard of previous NHL head honchos getting the same negative reaction almost anywhere he goes before Buttman came in...
@@michaelleroy9281 Rioters in the Twin Cities will torch his limo for sure! 🤣🙈
This was a damn good video upload!!!
Bettman has been the commissioner longer than ive been alive lol
Almost the same for me XD
You babies!! :-D :-P
I hope he isn't in charge as long as Campbell was, it's getting close
@@michaelleroy9281
Just two years to go. :-) :-P
same
Shannon makes a great point in that it is much easier to get 32 people to agree on how to achieve a common goal as opposed to 300. I think we as fans should remember this before we pick sides the next time that there is talk about a lockout. Who are the real greedy ones? Is it the large group of millionaires or the small group of billionaires?
Can the answer be both?
'05 was the players fault. They refused to agree to a salary cap. The rest of them was on the owners.
not even 32, he only needs to get 17 of the 32 to agree. the NHLPA needs hundreds.
Love a good NHL history lesson
Great vid Shannon. That said, you should also mention that Gary engages well with the fanbase. What other commissioner calls to check in with the top hockey RUclipsr at major milestones?
WHAAAAT??? The majority of fan bases hate Bettman, because he panders all the time.
The owners love Gary. Gary loves the owners. That's pretty much it.
I as a fan love Gary
@@robbrobb659 That's great.
In my opinion, NO hockey team should have to pick sides on social issues. Mainly because it’s a no-win situation, as whatever side you choose to endorse, you are pissing off a huge portion of your fan base.
Great video as always Shannon, I feel like even us fans only care for a certain amount of time and then like everything else something else comes up and we forget about the uncomfortable things not only hockey but all sports leagues do behind the scenes. I think also a reason why the owners always get fans support during a lockout is because as fans the owner 99 percent of the time will keep the team in our city whereas players come and go but the team will always be here. Just my two cents.
I remember when Bettman came in. Back then I had to drive twenty minutes to get USA today which I bought many times every week here in Norway for hockey news and results. Back then I dreamed of something like the internet. Can’t remember when I last bought s newspaper. In the 80s and especially the 90s I bought one every day. What I read back then was that he had done an amazing job in the NBA and the NHL should be very Happy to have him lead the league.
Now I understand why the league does not promote its players more. If the players have a bigger media presence and a closer relationship with the fans then they have more power to sway public opinion, and more leverage with the league and the owners.
i wouldn't go that far. NFL players have a pretty big media presence and their players have almost NO leverage. The problem with social media is, most of these guys just don't have the personality to draw a presence on SM. Could you see a Sidney Crosby posting IG pics? Most people in the states don't even know he has a gf. And you can say well IN Canada... Ya Canada has the population of 1 US state. Sorry
Ya think?
Maybe your best video yet. Incredibly thorough with you arguments rooted in history and concrete facts. Greatly appreciated
Shannon: " I want to talk about Gary Bettman.."
Obi-Wan : "I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in booing..."
It was smart for the NHL to stay out of social issues, it’s never a good idea to alienate your customers.
👏👏👏. Great video. Informative…. Well said…. And right on point.
he handed the cup to the Habs his first half year as commissioner and he's never handed a cup to a Canadian team since.
As a new fan, this channel has been a goldmine for learning and understanding the game in an interesting and not condescending way.
100%!
I don't know one hockey fan that likes Gary Batman
Whenever people complain about Bettman i just link one of your videos on him.
We shouldn't blame Bettman, but the owners.
Great video. This is how many businesses work, for example, do you hate TicketMaster? They play the same role for your favourite musicians as Bettman does for NHL franchises... they are a lightning rod.
This was a really interesting video, 10/10 would recommend
Clarence Campbell was the NHL President for 31 long years; from 1946 through to 1977.
Great part, really informative. Thank you!
@The Hockey Guy excellent educational video. 💙
i've been following the game since 1980 and you have told everything to a T. nhl has the best game imo of the major 4 to watch as a fan yet is the red-headed stepchild when it comes to economics and league leadership in dealing with any matter.
cheers from southern ontario 🍁
Coincidence? The Steve Dangle Podcast Network released a podcast about the 1992 10 day strike earlier today with Adam Wylde and Allan Walsh interviewing Glenn Healy.
Amazing video, super interesting, thanks so much
Great video... I love the sport. Strategically avoiding the business side.
NBA legend Gary Bettman
Where did he get that hat its so cool. looks like it has the original 6 on the sides with the old school NHL and CCM logos
The NHL started to grow financially after the 2005 lockout and the rise of the Canadian dollar. Prior to that, most franchises were losing money. In 2002, only the Leafs, Rangers, Stars, Avs, and Flyers were making money.
Awesome analysis spot on
Being a Habs fan growing up in Montreal in the 90s, I was a huge Patrick Roy fan. Then one day, I think I was like...7 or 8, my mom tells me "oh, Patrick Roy's a piece of shit. he beats up his wife. how can he still play? how are you a fan of his?" and I just stared at her blankly not knowing what she was talking about lol.
“I can only speak from my heart, in terms of my commitment, our team’s commitment to getting this right. So that somebody else isn’t coming forward months or years from now because we failed them. That’s what my commitment to you and everybody who’s listening is.”
- Mark Chipman
That is the sort of thing Bettman ought to be saying, but is not.
Chipman says, as he throws his body between Bettman and his GM.
Great video Shannon, thank you
So I just had an ad on this video for.... your channel.
Not for my channel. That's for Bench Clearers.
Thanks! Enjoyed that one.
Great video!!
Very helpful! Thank you!
Thank god someone finally mentioned the gambling. As much as I love Steve Dangle, he gets his money from sportsnet and sports interactions and its the same for the rest of hockey punditry. Its already destroying soccer in Europe. Don't let it happen here.
What makes it destroy soccer in Europe? I’m curious 🧐
its helpful to sport
Gambling made players and owners alot richer thanks to gambling teams have more capital to spend on academys. In sweden when they allowed gambling sponsorship the clubs got alot richer thus can compete better in europe
Gambling gets more people involved in the sport.
its inevitable wrap your head around it your talking about a billion dollar industry
04/05 season was epic in SHL! so many NHLers in our league. :)
That must've been one of the best seasons ever over there in Sweden
@@smnbrgss And the teams surely learned a shit ton! Why is Sweden now such a factory of players today despite a population of just 9 million?
I will never forgive bettman for the 04 lockout. Litteraly submarined the flyers best window for a cup, we had to tlose so many good players to be cap compliant, which inevitably forced us into a painful rebuild. All while watch ex flyers win cups on other teams . Thank you bettman!
The only way for fans to make a difference is top stop buying tickets and jerseys when something is amiss and the NHL won't set it right, and hold on until the NHL breaks to the pressure.
Thats why buffalo has so few of people buying tickets now. No one wants to give the pegulas money
Since Bettman came in, not one Canadian team has won the cup. Explain that please.
The Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 92-93 the season he became commissioner
I also think the focus on sunbelt teams makes a ton of sense for the league as a whole and hockey fans.
As much as I would love to see more Canadian teams, Midwest teams, and northern teams ; I think we have a solid balance now that really makes sense. It gives everyone in the US and Canada a place to go to see hockey.
As a Minnesota guy who moved to Virginia, I love that I can easily see a Wild game in Washington, DC, Nashville, and even Florida when I’m down there. I miss Atlanta having a team despite hating the thrasher name, logo, and color scheme. I’m not sure Florida needs two teams but it’s fine.
I also appreciate living in the south and having hockey fans around because of the existence of these other southern teams. Virginia has a ton of passionate Capital fans.
To be real, I have been an avid NHL fan for about 15 years and have never felt super uncomfortable with much when it comes to watching hockey, but the push for online gambling sources is really getting close to that territory for me. I see commercials multiple times per game encouraging people to piss away their hard earned dollars on draft kings, the online 50/50 and multiple other online sources all from the comfort of their own homes, meaning those who are addicted literally have nowhere to go to be safe from that temptation. Not that this is anything new for sports in the internet based age, but I think its extremely dangerous and is a really greasy money making tactic that the NHL is picking up on here.
agree - eventually greed gets them all . and it is not just the NHL - all sports are doing it - and it wont be long and we wont recognize the games we enjoy -.
The players need to get together to force the owners to get rid of Bettman. They need to follow the NBA's lead with a commissioner that does good for all parties involved, owners, players and fans.
The players like bettman
My finland jersey Worldcup 2004? Cost 70 euros. Game against Germany. Structure of the logo is so different compared to any other jerseys after that.
Very good video. Interesting and informative.
YOU ARE THE MAN SHANNON!
CFL has gone all-in on gambling money, pretty much all leagues do, and while the money is good, the players hate it with a passion.
Bettman gets a lot of hate sometimes rightfully, but he has done a good job growing the game and the nhl has made more money under his watch. He also did a good job running the nhl during the global pandemic.
@@Fadeout14 NBA and MLB viewership shrank greatly since 93/94, NFL has been steady up and the NHL comes in waves; 2012/13 was peak but we've seen 10-15 percent increases in Wednesday games year over year the last couple seasons. The NHL is performing alright, albeit stagnant. In the meantime 2 of the other major sports are nosediving and if it weren't for betting the NBA would be in a sinkhole. I think it's fair to say he's done a decent job at maintaining trajectory.
You say he did a good job. But the question is always how much better could someone competent have done?
@@Fadeout14 Where do you come up with that ? i wrote it somewhere already - when he started total revenue was $ 400 mil it is almost 5Bill now do you have any notion how difficult that is to do . it is fine that you dont like him but he is a very smart man
Great backstory thanks for the history lesson!
I, no joke, really appreciate Gary Bettman, in the way I appreciate heel managers in territory-era pro wrestling. As a human lightning rod, he wades through the hate exceptionally well!
Hes done a good job at protecting the owners money but he has done a terrible job at promoting the game of hockey outside it’s current fanbase.
just a thought. you said the players don't see anything from the 1billion that came in from expansion. but between 2 teams like 100 additional players (NHL and AHL) get to have contracts. they get to be NHLers. that is at least something.
That is a very real something it expands the number of players in the NHL and ultimately it means that salaries will rise along the way.
30 years….no cup in Canada
I think its only a matter of time before the link between gambling and the league leads to a scandal of some sort...all that money can't help but lead to corruption of some sort sometime.
Right because the league isn't already involved in a scandal involving the Chicago Blackhawks who hired a sexual deviant on their 2010 staff
i understand the not liking gambling - but it is pretty hard to throw a hockey game- how do you think it will be corrupted
I knew this video was coming
remember the NBA had a party when he left.... they were glad to see him go
My Dad still thinks that he doesn't want any Canadian Club to win a cup for almost 29 years.
Even if it’s unintentional, which I’m sure it is, it’s still the “Curse of the Buttman.”
Higher Canadian taxes and that players dont want to play in Canada unless they are over paid is why Canadian teams haven't won since 93.... Canada is a shithole in most players' eyes and would rather play in low tax warm weather divisions.
That means he didn't want the Montreal Canadiens to win the Cup in 2021
Jesus talk about small cock syndrome - look at the managements of the Canadian teams - through most of that entire period the managements have been atrocious. Edmonton - Kevin Lowe - Craig Mctavish - that was a real braintrust. Toronto - how about JFJ? Montreal - 10 yrs of Bergevin, never mind Rejean Houle, Calgary had some decent management - and they have been successful - they almost won in 2004. It has a whole lot more to do with that - and the pressure /scrutiny in Canadian market than any sabotage. I grew up in Canada- consider it home so hearing stupid whiny shit like that is so unbecoming - I like to believe most Canadians are better than that.
Bettman gets paid to be hated . And he does it so well .
Bettman has done a very good growing the league and the exposure to the game. I agree the league has been largely reactionary to issue that have arisen, but at the same time, the NHL is a good product now. Far more enjoyable to watch than the NBA.
HE has his flaws and errors sure, but largely I respect him and the job he has done.
Yesterday showed everything we need to know.
That draft lottery has been a wreck. Yet no substantial changes and just a few percentage tweeks a few years ago.
The 2020 lottery rule modification, and the end result was totally preposterous (just so the league was in the headlines during COVID)
Now they have added some more sane rules to the situation, but still too many frequent trippers to the top 5.
It's a lottery for a reason. Meant to discourage tanking. What happened in the season prior to Super Mario's draft was disgrace and what happened in the McDavid/Eichel draft to a lesser extent. Those sort of shenanigans should never happen again. Personally I'm annoyed they've softened the lottery.
I despise the complete blending of gambling with professional sports we’re seeing. There is going to be another Black Sox scandal before too long.
PRESIDENTS OF THE NATIONAL HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
01. M. Doheney (1909-1910: 1 year)
02. Emmett Quinn (1910-1916: 6 years) Canadian
03. Frank Robinson (1916-1917: 1 year)
04. Frank Calder (1917) British
PRESIDENTS OF THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
01. Frank Calder (1917-1943: 26 years) British
02. Red Dutton (1943-1946: 3 years) Canadian
03. Clarence Campbell (1946-1977: 31 years) Canadian
04. John Ziegler (1977-1992: 15 years) American
05. Gil Stein (1992-1993: 1 year) American
COMMISSIONERS OF THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
01. Gary Bettman (1993-Present: 28 years) American
I always wondered why he gets booed when he comes out:p
I remember a time where THG Bettman videos were filled with disdain. We have come far since those days
Players also don’t share in the appreciation of franchise value which is where the big $ are. That’s all held in ownership I believe
Of course it is - and no they don't come anywhere near that and you are right franchise values have skyrocketed. As an example - Detroit red wings were bought in 1982 by Mike Illitch along with a joint partnership with the city for cobo and Joe Louis arena - that the city built - for $ 8mill. I don't know the estimated value today but it has to be close to $1 Billion - & you better believe they have made a LOT of $ during those 42 years. That kind of ROI is nearly impossible in most other endeavors
You can grow the NHL in New markets but also at same time bringing teams back to good hockey markets first I would continue NHL expansion in the south by putting NHL expansion team in Houston and Kansas city and have a expansion team in the state of Virginia by putting team in Virginia Beach which would grow the game and also put expansion team in Quebec city 36 team NHL 18 teams in the west and 18 teams in the east
Florida Panthers should be playing in Miami new arena there would sellout good hockey market just like Arizona is good hockey market just need new arena in the right location same thing in Ottawa put a arena in the downtown it would sellout where Ottawa Senators current arena is in the middle of nowhere
Clearance Campbell was the third president of the NHL. Campbell was president from 1946-1977.
That is waaaaaaaay before Shannon's time. In reality CC was the president during the original 6 era . There were only 6 teams - only a few owners - pretty much dominated by Jimmy Norris through most of it. He and his brother owned a team. and besides their own rinks - Olympia and chicago stadium they owned the Boston Garden and Madison Square Garden too - they completely dominated a lot sports - the NHL and professional boxing. And they were more gangster than the 5 families - but really, they worked together with organized crime .
Heard comments about the Oilers moving in the late 90's.
Is this true? Never heard of this.
Supposedly,they came close to moving to Houston (not ironically)
There were lots of possibilities there are a local group put together that bought them just so they would stay in Edmonton - i believe that was the ownership before Katz . They only owned the team for a couple of years
It will always make me laugh that the strike started on April fools day!!
He's made the owners alot of money so I think Gary will probably go out on his own terms. We are talking about a guy who put himself in the HOF after all
Maybe your best video yet. NHL view on Hockey fans, complacent, forgetful, sit up, give me paw, play dead, GOOD BOY! and their right. lets examine the one thing the NHL is a leader on, ADDS! We used to make fun of soccer players with all the adds, now look at us. We have more advertising on the field of play than all other sports combined and the players are now billboards. The Hockey Guy can and should make a video on NHL statements concerning the adds. Only on boards.... few years later, just between the blue lines....few years later, just in the corners.......few years later, digital adds on glass....just for the people paying to see the game at home, now.......more digital adds on ice and only a "small" ad on the helm and then......?! Because as we lay down and play dead they keep it up all the time saying they need the revenue and there will be no more. I can't be the only one who finds the game UN-watchable with all the adds of distraction. A great game being ruined by it's own owners.
If the NHL contracted 4 weak revenue teams, the salary cap would go up by almost $10 million per team. It would be a kick in the nuts to the fringe players, but the stars would make a killing!!
It sound like Bill is in the same position Adam Silver was in behind Stern. So only a matter of time till the fans turn.
well Remember Gary Bettman was Sterns right hand long before there ever was an Adam Silver - he was probably in the 3rd grade
Revenue sharing, that sounds like George Steinbrenner , Yankees vs other teams in baseball
At the end of the day, I only really have 1 complaint about Bettman (though letting the skate in the crease that ended the 99 cup finals is high, it's not it)... Many years ago the NBA was doing a strike/lockout... Bettman could have gone to TNT and other networks that suddenly had a hole in their schedules... and tried to get the NHL on them to fill those holes... and who knows, he may have tried.. but I doubt it.. Only do it to fill the holes and get the NHL some quality exposure... it's not about making money TODAY.. but opening the doors for tomorrow..
IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY....SO TRUE GUY....
Dammit... when you're right- you're right. And you are right, Shannon.
This discussion around Bettman has me thinking about how a month after the World Series ends we're in for an ugly labor dispute around MLB. Some of the same things you said about Bettman can also apply to Manfred as that presumably ugly that's gonna get.
Those guaranteed contracts might not be so guaranteed come this next season.
Everyone needs to see this video.
With all this talk of sports betting... I think there's one obvious fact that we're all overlooking.
His name's Gary 'Bet'man
Bet. Man.
We should have seen this coming.
That moment when THG has ads on his own channel, and I'm left trying to figure out if I hit next video or something because he looks different and he's unboxing a shirt.
I had the same thing haha
Everyone who comments that they like the NHL under Bettman, or they think Bettman has done a good job, needs to consider how much better things could have been under a commissioner who had the best interest of the sport in mind, or at least someone who liked or understood the sport, or at least someone competent… or at least a human being.
I've been watching the NHL for a little over 50 years now - the game is better than it ever has been as far as skill and speed. I get that people don't like Bettman but he has done a fantastic job .the NHL revenue when he became commissioner Revenue was just over $600 million. Its now about to hit $6 Billion. Remember he works for the owners - how do you think they feel about him. And really when - Shannon - or anyone says "the owners" he really means the executive committee - there has always been one or two dominant owners. For the last many years it has been Jeremy Jacobs for a long time in the 70s and 80s it was dollar Bill Wirtz - they are more. Before that it was Jimmy Norris - those are really the final decision makers.
Overall, I think members of the NHL get paid far too much, players and owners (albeit the owners more than the players). Yes they should be paid well but making millions of dollars while most people can barely afford their bills is just cruel.
Great video as always, Shannon!
@Eddy Edwards Sadly.
Winnipeg Jets ( now Arizona Coyotes) could have moved to the Twin Cities in 1996 , but no Bettman wanted one of his Sun Belt Babies
Yeah that is right because he wanted to have teams all over the entire US large TV markets - so he could have a legitimate case to get National TV contract.
I don't know how the owners are actually view Bettman as positive for their pocket sizes since Bettman has been terrible at marketing the sport world wide. Also, MLB survived because the sudden influx of Asian players from oversea and widen their market. Then as bad as steroid is, it also saved MLB because of all the mad performances and generated many headlines like McGwire vs Sosa.
Seems a little weird that this comes out so close to when the SDPN guys talked about this. Just a heads up for the overlap.
He’s made the owners super rich. They just got 660 million for an expansion franchise; 800 million for a tv contract and the players are making more money than ever with labour peace for 9 years. What am I missing, it’s still a business isn’t it?
I'm actually a fan of Bettman, he's made the league more profitable which in turn benefits everyone. and many teams including the oilers wouldn't be around today if we didn't have a salary cap.
Likewise, its honestly frustrating to try to explain to people how the League actually works, and how Bettman is simply a puppet for the owners. Its like talking to a wall sometimes.
@@666kingdrummer most people don't understand business and he's an easy target. I like how he actually encourages fans to boo him. he has fun with it
@@hibby21 He makes the best of it - i am sure he doesn't like it - everyone would like to be liked - he has some odd mannerisms - his speech pattern is of a NYer - and he was an american coming to tell canadians how to run their game better - and they have always hated him for it . IF you can ever get past those things - and look objectively at what he has done - he has done a fabulous job - not just for the owners - there are about 350 guys playing in the NHL right now - who would otherwise be washing or selling cars - if it werent for Gary Bettman and his insistence on expanding into these non traditional hockey markets- which is how they have gotten national TV contracts . I grew up in Canada - love it - but people have a real chip on their shoulder . I live in Tennessee currently and i remember hearing people in Toronto screaming and crying how ridiculous it was that there was an NHL team in Nashville in around 2005-6 . I saw some of those same people talking about how great it was in 2017-8. I heard the same thing about Vegas before they started- what a joke it would be - etc etc. give people a chance .
This man has been in charge for two months longer than I've been /alive/, it's time to go. Like the NHL ownership is a joke of a boys club, the current sexual assault case is just the latest example of their complete selfishness. This feels like a similar situation to what's going on with the NWSL with the deep seeded player abuse that owners, who knew about it and turned a blind eye to, being in absolute control. The unfortunate fact is that until they face real actual consequences, which who knows how to actually go about it, it's only going to get worse and nothing is going to change.
Exactly. The $2M fine levied on the Blackhawks was a joke, especially to a team worth as much as it is. Even the Coyotes' owners wipe their rear ends with $2M. The owners and upper management of the League don't give a shit about fans until they start losing significant amounts of money
Got Married in Spring of 93 - just after Bettman became Commish. Our Honeymoon was in Aruba - The guy checking into our hotel in front of me was Gary Bettman who was berating and yelling at the woman at the counter because his Suite was not ready yet. He was so nasty. Couldn't believe how much of a jerk he was.
Everyone has an off day.
Was really hoping Gary would call