Gary Bettman Says ‘Best Thing I Get To Do’ Is Award Stanley Cup

Love him or hate him, what Gary Bettman has done in three decades as NHL commissioner to not only grow the league, but the game of hockey, is unmatched.

Taking office on February 1, 1993, Bettman has leveraged national TV deals and franchise expansion and relocation to grow the NHL from a business that generated $437 million in revenue to nearly $6 billion today.

With teams in 13 American markets the season before Bettman took over, today the NHL has 25 American teams in 22 U.S. markets and 32 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada.

While the league’s expansion into “nontraditional” hockey markets like Florida, Carolina, Nashville, Arizona, Dallas and Las Vegas has been met with some skepticism, it’s no coincidence this year’s Conference Finals featured four of those franchises: Panthers, Hurricanes, Stars and Golden Knights.

“I spent 12 years working with (former NBA commissioner) David Stern which was basically on-the-job training and he always taught me you’re going to have to make tough decisions,” Bettman said ahead of earning the Sports Business Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award in New York City. “Learn the most you can about what it is you’re going to decide and do what you think is right. Don’t try and guess what’s politically or expedient or what’s popular, make the hard decisions the right way and you’ll be able to sleep at night.”

Bettman and the NHL also began the trend of pro sports in Las Vegas with the introduction of the Golden Knights for the 2017-18 season.

The following year, the WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars relocated and rebranded as the Las Vegas Aces, while the NFL’s Raiders moved from Oakland to Sin City in 2020 with the Oakland A’s poised to join in the near future. MLS commissioner Don Garber has previously said the league is “very bullish about the market.”

“Initially there was cynicism, skepticism and a little bit of ridicule,” Bettman said. “We believed from the outset that this team would be not only successful but would become an important part of the community—not the community that focuses on tourists on The Strip, but if you look at Summerlin or Henderson and the people who live there.

“This has become an important part of their lives.”

Much like the NHL has become an important part of Bettman’s life.

While he believes “there’s never been a better time to be an NHL owner” and that “the game has never been stronger,” what lays ahead for the soon-to-be 71 year old is to be determined. While he isn’t ready to retire just yet, Bettman has said he isn’t “going to do this into my 80s.”

What is guaranteed though is that at some point over the next few weeks, Bettman will do his favorite thing for the 30th time during his tenure at the league.

“I don’t generally reflect on going back, but I can’t believe how quickly it’s gone,” Bettman said. “I love what I do. I love the sport and the love the people associated with it on and off the ice.

“The best thing I get to do is present the Cup and I’ve done that, I don’t know, 29 times. It’s the most storied trophy in all of sports and it’s just an honor to be able to present it.”