Gary Bettman's controversial announcement: he needlessly attacks some fans and journalists

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MarcO
December 14, 2022 (10:20)

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In a press briefing in the last few hours at the NHL Governors meeting, Commissioner Gary Bettman made some statements that really got people going.

First of all, he announced that the salary cap was only going to increase by $1 million, in all likelihood.

Second, he answered a lot of questions, especially about the new advertising tools his league is implementing. See two controversial statements on the subject:

"According to a survey, fans have no problem with advertising logos on jerseys, according to Gary Bettman." - Renaud Lavoie

Okay, I'm really not sure about this one and I don't know where he got his poll, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt here, even though the vast majority of comments we read don't support him.

Here's one that's probably worse:

"Bettman says the backlash from digital ads on the boards is not a "problem" because their polls indicate that fans are finding the games more enjoyable to watch since these new digital ads replaced the physical ads (on the boards)." - Greg Wyshynski, ESPN

More enjoyable to watch? Bettman adds a layer:

"The surveys we do with our fans tell us it's not a problem. Many think it looks better than having the many logos on the boards. It works extraordinarily well." - Gary Bettman

Excuse me? And he bluntly throws a wrench into the detractors of digital ads:

"If what you're doing is just watching the boards during the games - which I assume you are if you're constantly talking about it - well then, probably you consider it a distraction for you.

If you're watching the game, it's not a distraction." - Gary Bettman

Wow Bettman was not in a good mood and he defends his new ads with passion.

Where did he learn that it's more enjoyable for fans to watch? Do you agree with this?

Let's remember some of the situations we've seen at games this season because of these ads:

But according to Gary Bettman, it works extraordinarily well and it's more enjoyable to watch the games this way.