NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is going to be a Hockey Hall of Famer, and not everybody is thrilled about that.
Even before his November induction was officially revealed Tuesday, people were already cracking wise, while others were legitimately questioning it.
Gary Bettman will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
— Winging It In Motown (@wingingitmotown) June 26, 2018
As a way to honor his accomplishments as a hockey builder, fans will be locked out of the ceremony.
I’ve had pretty much the exact same reactions to realizing that Dwight Howard and Gary Bettman are and should be shoo-ins for their respective HOFs.
— Barry Petchesky (@barry) June 26, 2018
Hockey HOF is a love fest. Induction weekend is a valentine to hockey. Gary Bettman deserves to be in the HHOF. But as the NHL's current commissioner, he's divisive at best and deeply unpopular at worst. Shouldn't the celebration at least wait until after Work Stoppage Part 5?
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 26, 2018
If the rumors are true, Willie O’Ree & Gary Bettman are going to be inducted into the @HockeyHallFame as builders. Willie is best known for being the first black player in the @NHL Gary Bettman is best known for his denial of #CTE which contributed to the deaths of former players
— Daniel Carcillo (@CarBombBoom13) June 26, 2018
Once it was confirmed, the discourse continued, and let's just say it was largely critical.
Bettman deserves to be in the HHOF eventually, but inducting him while he's still commissioner is distasteful, IMO.
— Andrew Berkshire (@AndrewBerkshire) June 26, 2018
Willie O’Ree in the Hockey Hall of Fame: finally. Gary Bettman? How very hockey.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) June 26, 2018
Shannon on Bettman induction: I do believe that he should be in the Hall. The question for me is should he have waited until retirement like players. I think it's a fair question.https://t.co/mDLZc4njsd
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) June 26, 2018
dear mr. bettman;
— gregg krupa (@greggkrupa) June 26, 2018
in your acceptance speech for your induction to the #hockeyhalloffame, please explain how you intend to avoid lockouts in future negotiations for CBAs, and your position on brain trauma, CTE and hockey.
thanks.@NHL @HockeyHallFame
Some did come to Bettman's defense.
Hate Bettman in the Hall of Fame all you want. But if
— Don La Greca (@DonLagreca) June 26, 2018
John Ziegler Jr. is in, who did almost nothing, than Gary has to be in.
People will dislike Gary Bettman's inclusion in the hall of fame, but you'd hate any commissioner because they do what the owners like.
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) June 26, 2018
Fact is, there's more NHL games on TV than ever before, more teams overall and the sport continues to grow around the world.
Finally, the circumstances of the announcement itself seemed rather apropos.
I think the Hockey Hall of Fame announcement on TSN is geo-locked. Yet a digital streaming blackout for U.S. fans is wholly appropriate for what's expected to be a Gary Bettman induction.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 26, 2018
And scene.
