How Gary Bettman Changed the NHL and Face of Professional Hockey

According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, the one with the most power over his sport is Gary Bettman.

At the head of the National Hockey League for over three decades, he has profoundly transformed the landscape of professional hockey, to the point where the NHL is now a true continental league, with a strong presence well beyond its traditional Northeast strongholds.

One of the most distinctive hallmarks of his tenure remains the NHL's expansion into the South and West of the United States.

Bettman led the league into new markets such as Nashville, Las Vegas, Arizona, and Seattle, often criticized at first, but today these have become stable franchises, even thriving in some cases.

This strategy allowed the NHL to reach new audiences and significantly increase its revenue, both in terms of television rights and sponsorships.

According to renowned journalist Elliotte Friedman, who spoke on this topic in the 32 Thoughts podcast, Gary Bettman might even be the most powerful leader in his sport among all major professional leagues.

Unlike other commissioners who often have to deal with influential groups or highly involved owners, Bettman is said to have centralized authority around his office, running the NHL with a firm hand and a clear vision.

He has used this power to carry out controversial projects, but also to ensure long-term stability for the league. Despite several lockouts and unpopular decisions over the years, he has managed to maintain the support of the majority of owners, a testament to his ability to deliver results.

Today, the NHL is present in 32 North American markets and continues to grow in regions where hockey was once marginal.

If the sport has managed to establish itself on a large scale across the continent, it is largely thanks to Gary Bettman's strategy and influence, whose reign, whether praised or criticized, remains one of the most remarkable in the history of professional hockey.