That begs the question. Do Americans who follow hockey (or used to) dislike Gary Bettman even more than most Canadians out of guilt over what he's done to our game? Incidentally, why does that R.E.M lyric "withdrawal in disgust is not apathy" keep running through our mind?"Tragically, I missed most of (Gary) Bettman's speech before he announced thev Blackhawks were on the clock. But here's how it probably went down:
" 'Ladies and gentleman, we're coming off another wonderful season highlighted by the most damaging TV contract in professional sports history and a finals between an obscure Canadian team and the 357th biggest market in the United States. And now, we're about to introduce a 5-foot-9 American kid who's built like Bailey from Party of Five as our first pick. I couldn't be happier -- 15 years ago, David Stern sent me to the NHL to ruin this league and I have delivered in spades. Thank you, thank you very much. Thank you, you're too kind. And now, the 2007 draft!' "
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
AMERICAN HOCKEY FAN'S BURDEN
Bill Simmons still has it in his NHL draft diary, just not as often, although for once, can we read an American write something about Canada without referencing Bryan Adams? Haven't heard one of his songs on the radio in years.
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6 comments:
I'm an American hockey fan...
Bettman's gotta go!
http://www.FireBettman.com
I think we do...if you heard the boo's in Columbus for Bettman or even when he delivered the Stanley Cup to the Ducks...then you know how we feel.
What are you talking about? Gary's vision has been amazing. Who would have imagined putting a hockey team back into Atlanta. Brilliant.
Talk of further expansion to Las Vegas and back to Kansas City--AWESOME IDEA!!!
You keep fighting like hell to keep a team out of a market that might care--like, say, I don't know, Hamilton--Gary. You keep fighting. We all know the key to hockey is to get the Canada out. That's what will finally sell it.
Thing is, Little Gary has been embiggened by his "success" in "winning" the lockout. He's become as arrogant and (in his own mind) as bulletproof as Pete Rozelle in his final years as NFL commissioner, but the difference there was Rozelle had actually grown his league.
Bettman's an easy guy to dislike, as he just gives off that smarmy New York lawyer vibe simply by breathing. Having said that, those of us old enough to remember John Zeigler's days running the league know that things could be worse, much worse. I'll never forget Zeigler being off in England during the 1988 playoffs, when the officials staged a one-game wildcat strike. He hadn't told anyone, and no one could find him. That's leadership!
Let's also keep in mind that most of the southern expansion that fans love to rail about was approved on Zeigler's watch.
Finally, Bettman is simply an employee of the Board of Governors. He carries out their marching orders. If Gary was smacked by a bus in midtown Manhattan this morning, do you really think we would grow to love Bill Daly?
No Bryan Adams? Okay... I'll just stick to Anne Murray then... :)
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