NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was profiled by Richard
Wilner in Sunday's N.Y. POST under the header "Dawn Of A New
Ice Age: Hockey's Riding High But It's Tough Being NHL
Commish." Wilner notes Bettman, beginning his fifth year as
the league's commissioner, has reached a "key period" in his
tenure. While traditionalists "shudder" at the new-found
marketing "savvy" of the NHL, such as "fan-friendly" arenas
and third jerseys, Bettman "doesn't apologize." Bettman:
"Marketing the NHL is not much different than marketing
Disney. Both are diversified entertainment companies that
are competing for the public's entertainment dollar."
Wilner adds Bettman, "always impeccably dressed" in a dark
business suit, is "said to be a private person who shuns the
spotlight," but "those who have battled him" say he is a
"tough negotiator" and "has been known to yell and scream to
get his point across" (N.Y. POST, 4/14).
SELIG EVOKES MEMORIES OF TRUMAN: In an extensive
feature in the L.A. TIMES MAGAZINE, Bill Plaschke profiled
Acting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. Plaschke: "Some say
Selig is charming, others say cunning. Some say he is a
good man put in a bad position, others that he was given a
chance to be a national hero but somehow managed to blow
it." Plaschke noted Selig's strength of developing
consensus among fellow MLB owners, can also be his "greatest
weakness" when "quick and decisive action" is necessary.
Selig's supporters say he will be remembered "more for the
big picture. For moving an ancient failing economic
enterprise ... into a modern and successful age. For making
the best of a bad hand." Padres Owner John Moores: "It's
only half of a joke that Bud Selig is looking increasingly
like Harry Truman. When Truman left office, his stock was
not too high, but in later years, it looked pretty darn
good" (L.A. TIMES MAGAZINE, 4/13)
