NHL Players React To Report Of 72-Year Old Gary Bettman Retiring And Vote Against Him
Photo credit: NHL LA Times
The Athletic, an NHL media company who is affiliated with the league recently launched a poll on whether or not Gary Bettman should retire, and players responded to it; the response? Truly shocking.
Over the years, Gary Bettman has surely built a name for himself- but not in a good way, from saving the Arizona Coyotes franchise on several occasions to cutting league budgets, and many more fiascos, he is not liked amongst hockey fans.
Many of those same fans have called for the 72-year old Gary Bettman to retire, and they may just get their wish granted.
Earlier in January, Bettman brought up his retirement at a league meeting for the first time ever, since being deemed league commissioner since 1993, making him the longest-serving commissioner in North American professional sports.
Bettman has plenty of enemies throughout the NHL, including famous player agent Allan Walsh, dating back to the year of 2021 where he suggested that 'it's time to move on' from Bettman.
The Athletic recently launched an anonymous player poll, on whether or not Bettman should retire or remain commissioner.
Shocking poll results from NHL players when asked if Bettman should step away as league commissioner
A shocking 55% voted that he should retire, and 45% of players voted that he should remain the head of the NHL.
Perhaps some, if not all of the 45% believed that Bettman may find out their identity?
Players gave reasoning for their votes on Bettman, and most were surprisingly positive.
"He's put the league in a good spot. He's ready, but if he keeps growing the game ... we're not playing escrow anymore ... why leave now?"
Others, took the majority route by calling out his flaws.
"The culture of the league needs to change. The league needs to make hockey more accessible to lots of people. Stephen A. Smith doesn't get fired up about hockey, and he should be."
With Bettman's time as commissioner is coming to an end, what are your thoughts on his time serving the NHL?
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