Gary Bettman, SI Power Issue

Gary Bettman profiled in Sports Illustrated 3/11/13 now that he's been commissioner of the NHL for 20 years. Despite his critics (and SI has unearthed most of them), players and owners are making more money. SI says he may be the NHL's best commissioner ever (though the bar was set low by the "rogues gallery" of predecessors. U Michigan sports management prof Rodney Fort says, "[Bettman] will go down as one of the greatest commissioners in pro sports." SI wonders about his reputation if he had the charisma of a Bill Clinton. Bettman ranks #27. Nice read.

Roger Goodell and David Stern rank 1-2 followed by Philip Anschutz, team and arena owner, then ESPN president John skipper and MLB commissioner Bud Selig. NCAA president John Emmert checks in at #38: "He hasn't exactly distinguished himself in his three years on the job" but he does preside over the growth-minded NCAA ... "today, anyway." [sportsillustrated.cnn.com]

billhoward
Gary Bettman profiled in Sports Illustrated 3/11/13 now that he's been commissioner of the NHL for 20 years. Despite his critics (and SI has unearthed most of them), players and owners are making more money. SI says he may be the NHL's best commissioner ever (though the bar was set low by the "rogues gallery" of predecessors. U Michigan sports management prof Rodney Fort says, "[Bettman] will go down as one of the greatest commissioners in pro sports." SI wonders about his reputation if he had the charisma of a Bill Clinton. Bettman ranks #27. Nice read.

Roger Goodell and David Stern rank 1-2 followed by Philip Anschutz, team and arena owner, then ESPN president John skipper and MLB commissioner Bud Selig. NCAA president John Emmert checks in at #38: "He hasn't exactly distinguished himself in his three years on the job" but he does preside over the growth-minded NCAA ... "today, anyway." [sportsillustrated.cnn.com]

These lists invariably ignore or demote sports outside the US and Canada. N Srinivasan is more important to sports than Bettman or Goodell.

Ben
These lists invariably ignore or demote sports outside the US and Canada. N Srinivasan is more important to sports than Bettman or Goodell.

There are sports outside of North America/ And I should care why?

A publication ought to focus on things that are of interest to their readership. For a US publication that means US sports. It certainly does not mean cricket.

KeithK

Ben
These lists invariably ignore or demote sports outside the US and Canada. N Srinivasan is more important to sports than Bettman or Goodell.

There are sports outside of North America/ And I should care why?

A publication ought to focus on things that are of interest to their readership. For a US publication that means US sports. It certainly does not mean cricket.

Then qualify the list by area. The world doesn't end where the Atlantic Ocean meets our shores.

I'm sure Bettman has been wonderful for the business of hockey.

Who cares? The game itself is worse for his influence.