NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Sits For Q&A With SI.com

Bettman Hoping To Make NHL Network Available In U.S. Soon

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman participated in a Q&A with SI.com’s Allan Muir, and said, “We think there will be changes in [hockey-related TV] programming that I’m not at liberty to go into, but the concern that a lot of people are expressing in that regard will be addressed.” Muir asked, “So you’re suggesting there’s a chance that the NHL Network that’s currently available in Canada will find its way onto American satellite or cable TV in time for next season?” Bettman: “That’s what we’re hoping for. We’re in discussions with the distribution sources as we speak.” When asked if the league should run its promos outside of its own telecasts, Bettman said, “Most sports leagues do not run their own promotional spots outside of their own air (time) because the ability to aggregate enough air time the way a consumer products company might do it is not something any of us are in a position to do.” He added of promotions the league is running this season, “We like this year’s (campaign) because we’re now working together with our players, having cooperation, having a partnership. We’re now in a position where we’re doing some things together and that’s something we haven’t been able to do for years and years because we haven’t had the cooperation of the union.” Bettman said of growing the league internationally, “Our primary focus has been getting healthy in North America. ... Once we’re comfortable that we’re using the strong foundation we’ve created, we’ll move forward” (SI.com, 5/1).

CAROLINA ON MY MIND: In Raleigh, Luke DeCock reported, “Long postponed because of a lack of high-end hotel rooms and convention space, the [NHL] All-Star Game could be played in Raleigh as soon as 2011.” Hurricanes Owner Peter Karmanos and President & GM Jim Rutherford both spoke with Bettman at the All-Star Game in January, and Rutherford “sent Bettman a letter not long after announcing [the team’s] intent to get back into the mix.” Bettman in March R01 “promised the Hurricanes the right to host an All-Star Game within five years as the prize offered to fans for a successful season-ticket campaign” (NEWS & OBSERVER, 5/1).