Several sports commissioners yesterday attended the Milken Institute Global Conference in L.A., discussing, among other things, the "impact of technology on how sports are followed in today's smartphone-driven world," according to Doug Miller of MLB.com. MLB Commissioner ROB MANFRED, NBA Commissioner ADAM SILVER, NHL Commissioner GARY BETTMAN and MLS Commissioner DON GARBER also discussed "youth sports specialization" as part of a session called "Commissioners of Sport: Agile Leadership in a Competitive World." An "audience of about 1,300" turned out for the panel, moderated by Westwood One's JIM GRAY (MLB.com, 5/3). In Detroit, Al Willman writes Gray "pulled no punches during the hour-long discussion." Bettman addressed the "perception that the only important group to him was the league's owners." He said, "If you're not focused on the good of the game, none of it works." Manfred: "You have to pay attention to the fans, but at the end of the day, the fans don't run the game." Garber "seemed to focus more on the fans than his counterparts." Garber: "You don't report to your fans, but ultimately if you're not mindful to any consumer, you're going to lose them." Meanwhile, Bettman said that he "encourages NHL players to have their beliefs, but do so off the ice." Bettman: "It’s great for our players to be involved in political and social causes, but I also think that’s not why people come to games to see them. I would encourage, and I do encourage, players to do it on their own time" (DETROIT NEWS, 5/3).
