This pretty much sums up the CBA negotiations in a nutshell:

http://www.hockeyhurts.co...a-losing-battle-for-nhlpa

I don't get it, you said he keeps playing cause it makes him rich. He signed a deal because Anaheim offered him a contract. I don't see what locking him out has to do with it.
- wolfos412

they essentially got him to sign and then said, you cant have what the contract says, but you can have 10% less, if you want to play at all.

And Selanne is a multi-milionaire because of Bettman's league. Boy, what a dumb-ass jock Selanne is.

The Bettman beatings are silly. The owners are telling him what he needs to do, he does it. You got a boss, you dont do it, they fire you. You dont like the owners, go away. Its like Gary sat in his lazyboy in NYC somewhere and said, lets see how I can abuse the power that I have as commissioner of the NHL. Lets lock them out. The owners can go to the bahamas and we can really piss off the fans. Y'all need to get a grip.
- atlsabsfan

I agree.

Bashing Bettman for the sake of bashing the guy makes no sense to me.

And it is getting old.

I don't like Bettman at all - his personality, the way he seems to talk down to people, and his weasel-like demeanor really bothers me - but Bettman's direction comes from an approved agenda by the league's owners and it is his job to ensure that their vision gets done. Bettman is paid to be the owners bumhole.

That being said, he took a league that was making $400 million in revenue annually, to one that is now to about $3.3Billion. Not to mention the money generated from expansion fees and finally a new national NHL broadcasting agreement in the US that bring in a significant amount of money.

In doing so, he has made owners AND players a lot richer over that period.

From a business model, I would call that a huge success.

Do I agree with everything he has done? No, I have some significant issues. Are there problems? Sure. Will they get fixed? Likely... eventually.

But on the whole, the NHL is in a much better place today than when he took over.

And Bettman deserves a large part of the credit for that.

I agree.

Bashing Bettman for the sake of bashing the guy makes no sense to me.

And it is getting old.

I don't like Bettman at all - his personality, the way he seems to talk down to people, and his weasel-like demeanor really bothers me - but Bettman's direction comes from an approved agenda by the league's owners and it is his job to ensure that their vision gets done. Bettman is paid to be the owners bumhole.

That being said, he took a league that was making $400 million in revenue annually, to one that is now to about $3.3Billion. Not to mention the money generated from expansion fees and finally a new national NHL broadcasting agreement in the US that bring in a significant amount of money.

In doing so, he has made owners AND players a lot richer over that period.

From a business model, I would call that a huge success.

Do I agree with everything he has done? No, I have some significant issues. Are there problems? Sure. Will they get fixed? Likely... eventually.

But on the whole, the NHL is in a much better place today than when he took over.

And Bettman deserves a large part of the credit for that.
- JDJ

I agree with you 100%.

As unlikeable as the little rat is, he's just doing his job. And quite honestly he's done pretty well for the owners.

The NHL has to toughen up on these sh1theads... If I said that about my boss, I'd never be allowed to work for that company again. The problem is that the players have too many rights. (frank) you, Selanne... You won't be working when you're Bettman's age... You'll be retired, soaking up the sun next to your mansion, after playing a sport for a living. Bettman is an elite businessman who does what very few can... STFU complaining. Jesus! Is your life really that bad?

As unlikeable as the little rat is, he's just doing his job. And quite honestly he's done pretty well for the owners.
- Double_A

Well some owners... Those high revenues are the product of 5-6 teams. 18 teams still lost money last season.

Teemu keeps playing because 1.) He loves the game and want's to keep playing.
2.) Anaheim wants him to keep playing and offered him good money to stay.
- wolfos412

#1) He doesn't need to play in the NHL because he loves the game.
#2) Yes. It is making him rich. That's what I said.

The NHL has to toughen up on these sh1theads... If I said that about my boss, I'd never be allowed to work for that company again. The problem is that the players have too many rights. (frank) you, Selanne... You won't be working when you're Bettman's age... You'll be retired, soaking up the sun next to your mansion, after playing a sport for a living. Bettman is an elite businessman who does what very few can... STFU complaining. Jesus! Is your life really that bad?
- laughs2907

For every NHL team's arrival at the hall throughout the hall buuaa and show her mind.

seems clear to me.

For every NHL team's arrival at the hall throughout the hall buuaa and show her mind.

seems clear to me.
- Fountain-San

- laughs2907

I agree.

Bashing Bettman for the sake of bashing the guy makes no sense to me.

And it is getting old.

I don't like Bettman at all - his personality, the way he seems to talk down to people, and his weasel-like demeanor really bothers me - but Bettman's direction comes from an approved agenda by the league's owners and it is his job to ensure that their vision gets done. Bettman is paid to be the owners bumhole.

That being said, he took a league that was making $400 million in revenue annually, to one that is now to about $3.3Billion. Not to mention the money generated from expansion fees and finally a new national NHL broadcasting agreement in the US that bring in a significant amount of money.

In doing so, he has made owners AND players a lot richer over that period.

From a business model, I would call that a huge success.

Do I agree with everything he has done? No, I have some significant issues. Are there problems? Sure. Will they get fixed? Likely... eventually.

But on the whole, the NHL is in a much better place today than when he took over.

And Bettman deserves a large part of the credit for that.
- JDJ

The one thing that I think is worth noting is that at $3.3Billion in revenues, you would expect that an owner should expect to make money in this league. You can expect to be in the red if you front load a few contracts for a year, but averaged out, with the salary cap, owners in small markets should be able to expect to make a few shillings, or have something in place to make up for that. Whether that be some sort of revenue sharing system similar to the NFL where LEAGUE revenues (not team revenues) are distributed to the markets not making as much money, of course if a team did not spend to the cap, then that would have a negative effect on the payout of these League revenues, etc. Some sort of formula that the owners could buy into to make it reasonable and maintain the health of a team and reward them for trying to win and not award an owner like Golisano who would only try to "break even".

#1) He doesn't need to play in the NHL because he loves the game.
#2) Yes. It is making him rich. That's what I said.
- habmanj

You said he plays there because it makes him rich. I think there are a few leagues that can make him rich, I think he plays in the NHL because it is supposed to be the top echelon of hockey when it's not locked out.

Just when I thought I couldn't a player any more...

TEEMU FOR COMMISSIONER!!!

You said he plays there because it makes him rich. I think there are a few leagues that can make him rich, I think he plays in the NHL because it is supposed to be the top echelon of hockey when it's not locked out.
- wolfos412

Its the place where he can make the most money taking into consideration the sacrifice (cost) that he makes to play in that location vs somewhere else. I think it is because playing in the NHL makes him more richer...

I agree.

Bashing Bettman for the sake of bashing the guy makes no sense to me.

And it is getting old.

I don't like Bettman at all - his personality, the way he seems to talk down to people, and his weasel-like demeanor really bothers me - but Bettman's direction comes from an approved agenda by the league's owners and it is his job to ensure that their vision gets done. Bettman is paid to be the owners bumhole.

That being said, he took a league that was making $400 million in revenue annually, to one that is now to about $3.3Billion. Not to mention the money generated from expansion fees and finally a new national NHL broadcasting agreement in the US that bring in a significant amount of money.

In doing so, he has made owners AND players a lot richer over that period.

From a business model, I would call that a huge success.

Do I agree with everything he has done? No, I have some significant issues. Are there problems? Sure. Will they get fixed? Likely... eventually.

But on the whole, the NHL is in a much better place today than when he took over.

And Bettman deserves a large part of the credit for that.
- JDJ

The one thing that I think is worth noting is that at $3.3Billion in revenues, you would expect that an owner should expect to make money in this league. You can expect to be in the red if you front load a few contracts for a year, but averaged out, with the salary cap, owners in small markets should be able to expect to make a few shillings, or have something in place to make up for that. Whether that be some sort of revenue sharing system similar to the NFL where LEAGUE revenues (not team revenues) are distributed to the markets not making as much money, of course if a team did not spend to the cap, then that would have a negative effect on the payout of these League revenues, etc. Some sort of formula that the owners could buy into to make it reasonable and maintain the health of a team and reward them for trying to win and not award an owner like Golisano who would only try to "break even".
- atlsabsfan

I agree, true revenue sharing needs to occur.

But the flip side would be, Rogers and Bell just spent $1.32Billion for 79% of the Leafs - they paid for a profit team in a market that will generate significant local revenue from TV and radio rights. How many teams outside of Toronto can generate the kind of local media money to make an investment of that size work?

Certainly not most of the NHL markets.

How to strike that balance then, so it is fair for everyone and the owners that have invested in big market teams are not punished either?

I have read a number of reports that state it costs about $90-95Million dollars a year to run a team in the lower-mid part of the cap floor/ceiling.

(Lets assume that is correct, and not biased or not fully accurate - for arguments sake)

At the very least, each team should be able to get enough revenue - whether from local market (TV/Radio, tickets, etc) to generate around the $90M mark so they can at least play to the cap floor. If they fall short, they should have the ability/support to get revenue sharing that will take them close to the $90M.

That is what the revenue sharing should be aiming for... not to make all teams rich or extremely profitable, but to keep all teams that are struggling somewhat revenue neutral - maybe make a few bucks, maybe lose a few bucks.

If you want to make big profits - buy the Leafs or the Habs or the Rangers or the Flyers... whatever. But spend the money for that privilege.

Its the place where he can make the most money taking into consideration the sacrifice (cost) that he makes to play in that location vs somewhere else. I think it is because playing in the NHL makes him more richer...
- atlsabsfan

You said he plays there because it makes him rich. I think there are a few leagues that can make him rich, I think he plays in the NHL because it is supposed to be the top echelon of hockey when it's not locked out.
- wolfos412

Or maybe because living in California, he gets taxed a lot less than he would in other jurisdictions (or countries), making it not exactly even or similar. Or maybe because his family is happy living there and enjoy the lifestyle.

Or countless other reasons.

I believe the point is we're paying the 8mill but don't have a say in who we pay. It's bettman and we all would rather it be someone else.
- wolfos412

Do you have a say on who gets to be your own boss or the CEO of wherever you work? Don't think so....

so let me get this straight.

Bettman is not in the wrong for being the quote on quote "female dog" or "weasal" for the owners, and he does his job well......but its not his "fault" were going into a lock out...

BUT YET..

You give him all the credit in the world for making the NHL a better place?

amazing..."hes just doing the job for the owners" - yet..."he's done such a great job improving the NHL and making the owners lots of money"...

well which one is it? it cant be both.

bettman is the route of all evil, just saying

Do you have a say on who gets to be your own boss or the CEO of wherever you work? Don't think so....
- jimbri

players are the product

at no other job are the products the employee's so this makes a HUGE difference.

so let me get this straight.

Bettman is not in the wrong for being the quote on quote "female dog" or "weasal" for the owners, and he does his job well......but its not his "fault" were going into a lock out...

BUT YET..

You give him all the credit in the world for making the NHL a better place?

amazing..."hes just doing the job for the owners" - yet..."he's done such a great job improving the NHL and making the owners lots of money"...

well which one is it? it cant be both.

bettman is the route of all evil, just saying
- big_dion

i hate that road.

Or maybe because living in California, he gets taxed a lot less than he would in other jurisdictions (or countries), making it not exactly even or similar. Or maybe because his family is happy living there and enjoy the lifestyle.

Or countless other reasons.
- JDJ

I guess what I wanted to say was that he's playing in the NHL because he's an old man by NHL standards and is still proving that he's good enough to play in the 'best' league of hockey. I think there's more too it than making x million bucks for 1 more year.