Olympic hockey, a rousing success in Vancouver, might not necessarily see be repeated four years from now. But the Winter Classic is here to stay, with a host of teams lining up for their shot to play in the Jan. 1 game the next few seasons and discussion of adding a second outdoor game.
So said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Friday morning.
"Vancouver and Sochi are two different Olympics," said Bettman, pointing out the differences between playing in North America in a city that is on the league’s normal travel schedule as compared to the site of the 2014 Games, which is eight hours ahead of the East Coast and could require a break in the season longer than two weeks.
As for the outdoor game, the successes of Buffalo, Chicago and Boston have helped the NHL "own" New Year’s Day, instead of college football. And representatives from other venues, including the Wilpons (Citi Field), have contacted the league. A second game, in Canada between Canadian teams, likely will be added next season, but the NHL doesn’t "want to overdo it."
Other talking points:
* On how the league emerged 2004-05 lockout more financially sound. "The patient needed an operation," Bettman said. "Not only did the patient not die, but the patient came back and was vibrant." Since the work stoppage, 28 of the league’s 30 teams have made the playoffs at least once. And NHL.com thrives in the digital world, with a 30 percent increase in traffic in the past year.
* On the television contract with Versus: "We’re their most important property and treat us that way."
* The salary cap will increase by a "few hundred thousand dollars" and be approximately $57 million.
* On the investigation the NHL conducted regarding allegations a Virginia chiropractor provided a Capitals trainer with steroids. "I’m very comfortable with the level of detail with the investigation," deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.
* On expansion: "I don’t think this is the right economic climate to be looking at expansion," Bettman said.
* On buzz that Donald Fehr is likely to take the lead for the NHL Players Association: "It would be presumptuous of me to assume that he got the job. … A strong union benefits the players and the league. … We need a strong business partner."
The past week has shown the range of Roger Goodell’s role as commissioner.
Friday afternoon, he was slightly more than 12 hours removed from his role as emcee of the league’s first primetime draft — and Goodell was basking in the results of a 30 percent ratings increase.
"The draft has really caught people’s imagination," he said.
Wednesday, he had handed down the suspension of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after it was "established that it was a pattern" or behavior — despite no charges being filed after accusations of sexual assault in Georgia.
"I’m not a believer that you have to wait for legal action to act," Goodell said. "Our personal conduct policy contemplates that. … We have a right, as an institution, to protect (our) reputation. … We don’t have to rely on a court to do that."
And Tuesday, he enjoyed the buzz that came with the 2010 schedule release — the latest example of how the NFL’s popularity can turn a non-event into a spectacle.
"We continue to be innovative, which is a challenge with a successful organization."
That success, however, also faces a serious challenge in the near future as the league and the NFL Players Association work toward a new collective bargaining agreement. Jeff Pash, the league’s chief negotiator, and Goodell each provided the illustration that concessions by the players would lead to bigger profits for the NFL, and that the two sides would then split a much bigger pie.
Other talking points from Goodell:
* When asked about increased privileges regarding NFL-related video on media company websites (we’re allowed 90 seconds at present), Goodell asked to be sent proof that videos actually help our sites.
* Goodell was adamant that each team’s PR staff follows the same guidelines for providing access to players, coaches and front-office personnel — and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello asked to be informed when that isn’t the case.
* Tweaking the schedule so each team plays division opponents in Week 17.
* Pushing for state-of-the-art stadiums so that the "experience is a good one, and our fans say, ‘I want to be at that NFL game.’"
* Wondering aloud whether players should be wearing more pads for protection, but sticking to a "conservative approach" with regard to concussions. "Medical issues always override competitive issues."
* Acknowledging that Super Bowl PSL sales could be a revenue-generating stream for the league, but that they "aren’t on the front burner."
Executive director DeMaurice Smith had to cancel his meeting with APSE so he could attend to personal/family issues.
