NHL players share shocking thoughts on Gary Bettman's plans to retire
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Photo credit: TSN
The Athletic recently conducted a player poll where they asked them if they thought NHL commissioner Gary Bettman should retire.
Gary Bettman is one of the more controversial figures in North American professional sports.
For years, fans of the league have been calling for him to retire and he has not been able to speak in public without receiving a chorus of boos for at least a decade.
As such, many fans were excited last month when a report emerged that Bettman was planning for his retirement in the next couple of years.
That being said, Bettman still has plenty of allies across the league, including from the players themselves.
In the Athletic's most recent anonymous player poll, we saw somewhat mixed results as to whether or not Bettman should retire, but ultimately, 55% of responders said he should.
That being said, players also had the opportunity to leave anonymous notes to give specific feelings as to why they voted the way they did. Again, the responses were mixed.
Several players highlighted the positive things Bettman has done for them including increasing the salary cap and ending escrow.
"He's put the league in a good spot. He's ready, but if he keeps growing the game ... we're not playing escrow anymore ... why leave now?"
Other players chose to point out trouble spots for the league though, including the league's culture, which has been a major topic of debate in recent years.
"The culture of the league needs to change. The league needs to make hockey more accessible to lots of people. Stephen A. Smith doesn't get fired up about hockey, and he should be."
Either way, it seems like Bettman's time as commissioner of the NHL will be coming to an end sometime soon.
Whether you are sad to see him go or eager for his last day on the job, you can't deny that he has dedicated his life to the sport of hockey.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 5 | 329 ANSWERS NHL players share shocking thoughts on Gary Bettman's plans to retire Do you think Gary Bettman should retire as commissioner of the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 308 | 93.6 % |
| No | 21 | 6.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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