NHL on CBC

[MikeVic]

Anyone else watching this salary cap thing between Gary Betman and Ron MacLean?

Betman sounds pretty pissed. :)

[klayman]

I'm not watching, but didn't MacLean and Betman get into it last year at the all star game as well? Betman was pissed then too. Seems like a recurring theme...

[Maple Leafs]

This same thing happens every year. During intermission of the all-star game, Bettman comes on CBC for a live interview. MacLean starts asking tough questions, Bettman gets all pissy, MacLean presses on and eventually Bettman just starts sputtering and taking shots at him.

Same thing, every year. Bettman, if you don't have a straight answer to a straight question, just stay home.... yeesh.

[timmae]

boy do I wish I lived in Canada...

[MikeVic]

I haven't seen the intermission thing during the all-star game before.. always skipped it. Should watch it more. :)

[bbor]

I'd prefer having Cherry ask Bettman the questions:D

[Draft Dodger]

boy do I wish I lived in Canada...

browsing around CBC's website yesterday to find out when Hockey Day in Canada is (Feb 21...but I'm working), I found that most (all?) the intermission stuff is available to watch. Unfortunately, it's in Real format, but I'd imagine it will be there.

[Tryfan]

Yeah CBC does a pretty good job with their website.

Ron MacLean got bashed once apon a time for apparently tossing Bettman some softball questions. Also Bettman has a history of talking down to him in the past, which MacLean (a very smart cookie) did not like. Now he tries to grill him a little bit every time they cross paths.

[timmae]

thanks... I'll have to check it out. It'd be worth the look for sure...

[Fidatelo]

Did anyone else find CBC's coverage this weekend slanted towards the NHLPA? And I don't just mean in the interview with Bettman either. Saturday night they had agents and former players spouting their 'free-market' crap, but no one to make any opposing arguments. Anyone else feel this way?

[Maple Leafs]

In yesterday's interview, Bettman seemed to cross the line from defensive and condescending to downright hostile. It was fascinating to watch. I'm solidly in the owner's corner on the CBA issue, but if this is Bettman's idea of PR then they may be in trouble. He really came across as slightly unstable.

At one point, MacLean asked a very good question, pointing out that the NHL's claim about losing money is very similar to claims made by the NBA during Bettman's time as assistant commisioner that were later shown to be false. MacLean basically asked him (in a nice way): "If you lied in the NBA, why shouldn't we assume you're lying now?". Bettman just about lost it, cutting him off and telling him he was "out of [his] element" and needed to do some more research. In other words, he didn't answer the damn question.

At least Bettman managed to avoid the urge to grabbing MacLean's arm like he did a couple of years ago.

[Fidatelo]

He did sort of answer the question. He stated that in regards to the NHL, all revenues that can be "in any way reasonably attributed to hockey" have been reported. I wish MacLean had asked him what revenues the owners consider not attributable to hockey, an answer to that would clear up the issue once and for all.

[MikeVic]

Yeah, MacLean asked something about the $100 Million that wasn't shown at first, and Bettman looked really pissed. That's when I decided to post about this interview thing. :D

[Chubby]

Bettman is a tool and he's ruining hockey :( I wish I still owned GaryBettman.com (sigh)