Commissioner of the National Hockey League, Gary Bettman has been one of the primary detractors of the sport of ice hockey in North America. Bettman has overseen and proven a central obstacle in three lockouts: these work-stoppages have affected the reputation of the sport, its well-being as tied to popularity and recognition, and the economic welfare of countless employees and businesses who rely on the league as a source of income and livelihood. Gary Bettman has watched the availability of the NHL dwindle from several major networks to just one monopolistic broadcasting deal held only by NBC. Gary Bettman has shown complete indifference toward the dangerous elements of the sport, instead preserving and profiting from injuries that result from fighting and unregulated hitting.



