Gary Bruce Bettman is an American sports executive who serves as the commissioner of the National Hockey League, a post he has held since February 1, 1993. Previously, Bettman was a senior vice president and general counsel to the National Basketball Association.
Was Gary Bettman a hockey player?
For the last 26-plus years as the National Hockey League’s first-ever commissioner, Gary Bettman (Queens, N.Y.) has not only guided the NHL to unprecedented heights but also positively influenced the development of the game at all levels. During Bettman’s tenure, hockey has experienced monumental growth and extraordinary levels of visibility and reach around the country.
With a commitment to increasing enthusiasm, interest, and involvement in hockey from the youth level and up, Bettman has stressed the importance of access to hockey across the nation. Since assuming his role in February of 1993, Bettman has led the expansion of the league from 24 teams to its current 31-team format (to be 32 in 2021), with the added U.S.