According to famed player agent Allan Walsh, Gary Bettman has cost the NHL 35 million potential viewers since signing a TV deal with ESPN who is going into their 3 year of a 7 year deal; take a look.
This is further proof that Bettman is bad for the sport, he's only still in charge because he makes the owners a boat load of money, but at this point, the question has to be asked: does losing the vast majority of your audience mean nothing? Because it's certainly looking that way.
To have a parent company like Disney actively searching for a strategic partner sends the message that Bettman can make deals, sure, but he cannot keep them. Something you would expect a business man of his acclaim to be able to do.
POLL | ||
28 AOUT | 208 ANSWERS Gary Bettman's most recent failed deal has cost the NHL 35 million potential viewers Is it time for a new commissioner? | ||
Yes | 140 | 67.3 % |
No | 9 | 4.3 % |
It's way past time | 59 | 28.4 % |
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