Tonight is the 7th game of the Stanley Cup Finals, and Gary Bettman is in Florida for the occasion.
Indeed, the commissioner will undoubtedly face boos when presenting the trophy to the winners, as is customary.
Just hours before the crucial game, Gary was questioned about Connor McDavid, and his response has sparked reactions.
Question:
"Mr. Bettman, can you talk about what Connor McDavid represents for hockey, particularly today?"
Commissioner's response:
"He is a true star player. Most experts and fans believe he is the best player in the world, and he very well might be... I believe he's the leading scorer in the playoffs... [...]" - Gary Bettman, who also noted that the outcome of tonight's game is unpredictable
As commissioner, he must promote his league as the best in the world and its best player as the best in the world, which McDavid undoubtedly is.
He answered as if he didn't know McDavid or as if he was completely uninterested. He didn't even know he's the leading scorer in the playoffs despite his 42 points; that says a lot.
But what really crossed the line and revived rumors about his disdain for Canada came from the following passage:
"Especially for our fans in the United States, it gives them an opportunity to see Connor McDavid, to see the intensity, and I think that's good for the sport because he plays in Edmonton, and because he plays in Edmonton, he's not as recognized in the United States as he might be, for example, in Canada."
- Gary Bettman
My jaw dropped. Bettman says this as if it's shameful that McDavid plays in Edmonton, in Canada.
Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, Patrick Kane, and so many other players have never played for a Canadian team, yet they are recognized across the country.
This interview is a disgraceful failure on Bettman's part.
