I agree with everything you say GHG, but as LHoffman pointed out Bettman is merely doing the owners’ bidding, which is the role of the modern commissioner. The position is no longer a “caretaker of the game” but a pit bull used in mauling the player unions during collective bargaining agreements.
The funny thing is Nashville fans should have been appreciate of Bettman since sunbelt expansion and team preservation is one of his primary legacies. Let’s see the result of this Cup run on the Predators’ TV ratings next year, which were laughably low this season.
Sitting out the Olympics will be a huge mistake for the league and its branding, I figure the owners will have to blink eventually.
