Gary Bettman Quotes
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The Canadian franchises and Canada as a market for NHL hockey has always been a priority for us.
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The relationship between concussions and the asserted clinical symptoms of C.T.E. remains unknown.
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We don't worry about the integrity of our game. I'm more focused on the atmosphere in the arena, and that's something we're comfortable with going forward.
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I think there's always a line between what is parody in good fun in chanting and what is intended to belittle certain segments of society.
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Our sport probably has the best history and tradition of being engaged in international competition.
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There are lots of come-from-behind wins, games getting tied in the last period, teams going on to win. That, I think, tells the best story. Whether or not some teams have more grit, better chemistry, or more luck or more skill, it's still within the parameters. I think that makes for great storytelling and great interest for our fans.
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Obviously, we're focused on the Winter Classic.
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If you're thin-skinned, you don't belong doing what I do for a living.
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Fighting is one of those things that gets tons of attention, far more than it deserves.
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On the issue of behavioral health and the like, the program we have in place has always been available to former players as well.
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I think it's fairly clear that playing hockey isn't the same as playing football.
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If the IOC would move the Olympic hockey tournament to the summer, that would be great. We'd be thrilled to have our players participate because then it doesn't affect our season.
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We don't want our players getting hurt.
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The good news for us is the NHL has never been stronger, never been more popular, and that, I guess, has led to a lot of interest being expressed from a number of places, an interest in getting an expansion team, and Las Vegas happens to be one of those places.
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I never rule anything in or out; life can surprise you.
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I think it's our job to create a culture and an environment where a gay player knows he is safe and welcome. If and when that happens, believe me - that person will have the full support of the commissioner's office.
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I think there needs some attention to be paid to what sport is going to represent to young people: should it be viewed in the competitive, team-oriented sense that it is now, or does it become a vehicle for betting, which may, in effect, change the atmosphere in the stadiums and the arenas?
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At least two or three of the leagues in Europe over the last few months have said to us, 'We hope you go to the Olympics,' and I looked at them, and I said, 'Why?' and they go, 'Because if you don't send NHL players, we have to send our players, and that's way too disruptive to our season.'
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Let's put it this way: I would consider my skiing ability to be far superior to my skating ability. And, in fact, my 10-year-old grandson, who's a AAA squirt, can skate circles around me.
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There is less fighting in the game than we had years ago. I mean, we penalize it.
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I think that when somebody loses a bet, they tend to sometimes confuse their motives in rooting and enjoying the game because if you lose your bet, even though the team you're rooting for wins, you have a potentially conflicted outcome.
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We'll have clinics and educational events and conferences to get more and more young players developing as hockey players.
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My message to the kids and our fans is hockey's a great game. There's a lot of hockey being played at all levels. Get involved, do it. We will be back and we will be back better than ever and hopefully as soon as possible. Don't give up on the game. It's too good.
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I don't feel that it's either necessary or appropriate for me to comment on what the NFL either says or does.