Post by Paul on Feb 22, 2005 0:56:40 GMT -5
I'm sure you guys heard about Gary Bettman's interview on WFAN Radio in New York where he stated that he felt "set up" with the Saturday meeting.
Bettman claims that the NHLPA did this as a stunt to get back at the league for cancelling this season and that public opinion polls indicated the owners are supported by a 5 to 1 ratio by the fans for this lockout.
In other words, he felt that the players union is using this tactic to undermine the PR support of the league's agenda and swing public opinion in their favor instead.
Honestly, both sides are to blame for this lockout and where we are now.
What I thought I'd do for everyone is also provide you with a direct link to an audio clip of Bettman's interview on WFAN. I was able to watch a television simulcast earlier today on the YES Network. On this page I've hooked you up with, it is Mike Francesca's interview dated February 21st.
wfan.com/chrismikeaudio/
Meantime, these are the media reports already online...
The Sports Network's (TSN) NHL page (February 21):
www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=115726&hubName=nhl
CBC Sports' hockey page (February 21):
www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2005/02/21/Sports/nhl050221.html
ESPN's NHL page (February 21):
sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1996695
If you guys listen to the interview, I'd love to hear what you think of it. Bob Goodenow never came on afterwards on the Mike & The Mad Dog Show, so we haven't heard the NHLPA's side of this story... WFAN might try to get Wayne Gretzky and/or Mario Lemieux to come onto the program within the next few days. Good luck to them if they do.
Bettman claims that the NHLPA did this as a stunt to get back at the league for cancelling this season and that public opinion polls indicated the owners are supported by a 5 to 1 ratio by the fans for this lockout.
In other words, he felt that the players union is using this tactic to undermine the PR support of the league's agenda and swing public opinion in their favor instead.
Honestly, both sides are to blame for this lockout and where we are now.
What I thought I'd do for everyone is also provide you with a direct link to an audio clip of Bettman's interview on WFAN. I was able to watch a television simulcast earlier today on the YES Network. On this page I've hooked you up with, it is Mike Francesca's interview dated February 21st.
wfan.com/chrismikeaudio/
Meantime, these are the media reports already online...
The Sports Network's (TSN) NHL page (February 21):
www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=115726&hubName=nhl
CBC Sports' hockey page (February 21):
www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2005/02/21/Sports/nhl050221.html
ESPN's NHL page (February 21):
sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1996695
If you guys listen to the interview, I'd love to hear what you think of it. Bob Goodenow never came on afterwards on the Mike & The Mad Dog Show, so we haven't heard the NHLPA's side of this story... WFAN might try to get Wayne Gretzky and/or Mario Lemieux to come onto the program within the next few days. Good luck to them if they do.