“We’re going to dispel the myth that this is a regional sport,” Gary Bettman said during a press conference to announce him as the NHL’s first, and so far only, commissioner. “The prospects for growth are phenomenal.” As of this month, Bettman has spent 30 years trying to convince everyone both statements are true, to varying degrees of success.
By now, anyone familiar with hockey knows about Bettman’s track record since he took office in February 1993. His quest for growth has alienated fanbases. His pursuit of more TV eyeballs has often been uneven and embarrassing – remember the glowing puck? And he led the league into three major labour disruptions, including one that unforgivably led to the cancellation of a whole season.
