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Jacobs (far right) and Patriots owner Robert Kraft listen to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman as he announces this year’s Winter Classic.
Photo by: AP IMAGES
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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman tilts his head back to remember when he first got to know Jeremy Jacobs. It was December 1992, and Bettman had just been named the league’s commissioner by the Board of Governors.
“He hosted a dinner at his house in Florida for the board,” Bettman recalls. “He and his wife are among the most gracious hosts that you can imagine. They could not be warmer, more giving people. You see it in the magnificent family that they have. They are just such terrific people.”
Bettman and Jacobs may seem an unlikely duo, but the two have developed a close friendship over the last 25 years, working closely on league affairs while speaking almost daily. Bettman is so fond of Jacobs that he reached out to talk in person about Jacobs’ role in the league and his influence on the game, sitting with Executive Editor Abraham Madkour in his office overlooking 6th Avenue and up toward Central Park. The following are excerpts:
“He has always been extraordinarily influential. Part of it is his tenure, part of it is his knowledge of the game, and part of it is his knowledge of the business of the game — because he has been in the facilities business and guest services business. He has been chairman of our Board of Governors for nine years. I speak to him multiple times a week; if not every day, pretty close to it. I have frequent conversations with him if I have an issue: ‘This is how I think I should deal with it. Tell me if I am crazy.’ He has good judgment, and because he is so knowledgeable, I use him as a sounding board, counselor and adviser.”
“The respect he has from the board is a function of how good his judgment and knowledge of the business is. He has always been a league thinker. Yes, obviously he is concerned and focused on the Bruins, but he always focuses first on the league.
“To me, one of the great ironies is the media has always portrayed him as a hawk. That label does not make sense. He has always been pro-league. He understands the business and what we need. His work on collective bargaining has made the league healthier. He’s on the board, executive committee and audit committee. He serves on all three committees. He never misses a meeting. He comes prepared. He knows the subject matter. He asks tough questions, particularly on the financial side. He will go through financial statements; if there is something that does not seem right to him, he demands answers.
“His focus has made us better. He expects a standard. He is demanding of us at the league. One of the things that gives the board and other owners comfort is they know he is closely scrutinizing what we do. I like that because it makes us accountable.”
“He watches more hockey than anybody I know. He is watching games every night. He never misses one of his games. One owner I know that was going to be in Florida called him and asked if he wanted to go out to dinner. He said, ‘No, I am watching my game.’”
“I can talk to him any time, even after a loss. He is very balanced. Some owners, when you talk to them after a loss, you decide, ‘Maybe I should have waited a couple hours.’ Win or lose, he hates it, but doesn’t let it spill over.”
“I do not think retirement is in his DNA. He has the luxury of running his company and doing it around what he wants to do, but I think he will always be active and involved. I don’t think he knows any other way. I do not think he would be happy if he wasn’t.”
“His legacy is he made the NHL stronger. He made it grow. He was a critical influence in getting the league as strong as it is today. He has made the game better.”
