Such an incredibly selfish and stupid move by the commissioner who has a history of seeing something people like, enjoy, and would grow the game of hockey only to do exactly the opposite. He is using the claim that owners lose revenue with the players taking 3 weeks off to play in the once every 4 year tournament even though he wouldn't sell the failed franchise of Phoenix to a willing buyer who's only demand was to move the team to Toronto (a thriving hockey market). I guess the commissioner has a short memory. The very night that USA upset Canada in a preliminary round game that basically didn't mean anything, you could find him talking to the media about the very reasons there is a discussion for aborting the NHL's partnership with the Olympics. It happens once every four years. There is no possible way the loss in revenue is that much considering they still play the full 82 games, and it happens only twice, and on occasion three times, in a freaking decade.
This isn't the Pro Bowl where star power participation is an issue, this is about guys playing for their country, not a fucking owner. Prior to tonight's game, announcer Jeremy Roenick (freaking awesome by the way) interviewed the planet's best player Alex Ovechkin. He talked about the Olympics, how much it meant for him, and they even highlighted the epic hit on Jaromir Jagr which set up a huge goal. A play we would have never seen if the NHL didn't participate in the games. Ovechkin has to be the most likable athlete playing professionally right now because the guy flat out says what he wants and doesn't care about greed. Roenick asked him about the potential situation with his home country Russia hosting the 2014 games and what he thought about the thought that Bettman would say he couldn't play:
"Just because someone tells me I cannot play, why is that going to stop me? How can someone tell you that you can't play for your country? The Canada vs USA game drew 10,000,000 viewers didn't it? To me, that would never happen with a bunch of college kids or AHL guys. [...] When someone brings up the topic it usually is all about one thing: money. I am happy with my money and I don't care if I lose it because I am going to play for my country."
Alex Ovechkin
That's the most selfless thing I have ever heard a professional athlete say. You may dislike Ovechkin, but likely, it's jealousy. The man is the best player in the world, plays reckless no matter what the competition, and is willing to skip 3 weeks of game checks to do something (for free) for his country. It doesn't sound like he'd rule out playing a season in Russia in 2014 if it meant he could play in the olympics (the KHL, Russian pro league, wouldn't hold players back so this is a real possibility). The NHL is concerned with the KHLs growth, trust me, and personally I think this is a move by Bettman similar to the political boycotts of USSR and USA hosted olympics. He is afraid of the KHL and wants to make a statement to that country that "his" league wants no part in it. Well, hate to break it to him, but nobody wants any part of Bettman. In fact, I have no idea why he is commissioner. The guy knows jack shit about hockey and even less about business (see: Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Atlanta Thrashers, ect).
The league needs to participate in this tournament. It has become part of the games. We get our "who the hell is this guy/ gal" moments during the other shit, but please don't ruin hockey. Alex Ovechkin's Russian team just got their fucking asses kicked and they're hosting the next games, they deserve another shot. Not just because they're exciting to watch, but they're their countries best assets. They care about hockey and their country far more than some fucking dollars and cents. Bettman is so engrained in business and revenue that he's completely blinded himself from reality. Quite ironic his interview occurred sandwiched between two promotions for CNBC's documentary BOOMER$. Some things are more important than money. Apparently he hasn't learned that.
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Don't you know that Bettman is David Stern's mole? Just when hockey is capturing the nation's attention, and bball is on the verge of a lockout and the country turning its back on the game, this nonsense gets floated right when the opportunity appears to pass bball in sports hierarchy.
ReplyDeleteSadly, yes, I knew this. He is so out of touch with the sport that I seriously have a problem with the guy ever being able to pass classes at NYU unless, like you said, he is totally in bed with Stern in some sort of bizarre under ground society like the Bush's are. Then there is most likely a larger picture surrounding this that we are not aware of
ReplyDeleteFuck Ovechkin.
ReplyDeleteHe's a cocky shithead.
His childish antics lower him to ranks of Chad Fag Cinco and Terrell Owens.
Her is one player. (0-0-0) against Canada. No Championships.
I want the NHL. Not the NFL.
Bettman is a loser. All he cares about it money.
Fuck the Olympics. They're all about money too.
The Olympic games have become nothing more than a giant marketing tool.
For one month every 4 years we are bombarded with Olympic advertisements and coverage.
We cheer, celebrate and rejoice in the name of sport, unable to name the majority of sports or the people playing them.
Nobody knew what the fuck the Luge event was until a dude died and NBC replayed his gruesome death over and over.
We all jump on the red, white and blue bandwagon and give ourselves a reason to feel important.
Yes, these athletes compete for their countries.
They also compete for Visa, McDonalds, Microsoft, acer, Panasonic, Samsung, General Electric, Chevrolet, etc.
Who cares if pros can't play.
I'm fine without Olympics all together.
They are are glorified X-Games.
It's a historic tradition being robbed of its very essence (i.e. pride)
Leave these sports to the true fans who watch year round.
Bode Miller is a true American.
...And why is Bode Miller so awesome? Because he says what's on his mind, doesn't care what anyone thinks, and tries his hardest to win. thats what Ovechkin does yet you hate him.
ReplyDeleteBode Miller isn't a dirty fuck.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't showboat like a selfish prick.
Ovechkin loves himself more than his sport.
Miller has championships and Olympic medals.
Was Ovechkin doing his best to win last night?
He looked pathetic.
and before Miller won those medals, he had zero for his career and was looked upon as a complete idiotic failure by most. Ovechkin can't play goalie or coach the team. What I saw tonight was not only a hungry Canadian team, but a Russian team that came out shaky, pressed, and then compounded the anxiety once their goalie went brain dead. Their coach never took advantage of last change matchups to get his best lines on the ice versus the weaker canadian defensive pairs, and overall only scoring 3 goals isn't going to beat the Canadians in a must win elimination game. Ovechkin didn't play his best game, but it certainly wasn't because of discontent, it was actually because he cared so much that he came out pressing and panicked once the team started sucking. You of all people should know that feeling, you were on the Cy Creek hockey team with me. The one team in Houston that never had a decent goalie to pair with its endless offensive talent
ReplyDelete