The life of a commissioner of a professional sports league can be a challenging one.
But it can also be rewarding.
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Everyone knows who Roger Goodell and Adam Silver are.
Even Rob Manfred.
But not too many folks know who the commissioner of the NHL is.
And that would be Gary Bettman.
And for Bettman, being hockey’s commander in chief has paid him handsomely.
He has been the NHL’s commissioner since 1993 and has accumulated approximately $166 million from the league.
Beating out every player who has ever laced up skates.
The highest paid player of all-time?
Alex Ovechkin at nearly $162 million, followed by Sidney Crosby at almost $156 million.
The Great One, Wayne Gretzky earned $46 million over the course of his storied career.
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Bettman has them all beat.
A large part of that is due to his annual $9.5 million salary, which has increased notably from when he first took the job over 30 years ago.
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Commissioner Jessica Berman, once worked in the NHL had high praise for Bettman, not only as a commissioner, but also as a person.
“He’s done a masterful job balancing the needs of a wide-ranging group with their own challenges and opportunities,” Berman told NHL.com.
“With the support of an incredible team, Gary has convinced everyone that growing the enterprise value of the League will benefit everyone, including players and fans.
“The basis of that is trust, which is built on consistency, transparency, communication and integrity.”
“I admire his passion and love of the game,” longtime Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said.
“I consider myself fortunate to have seen that passion and love up close during our meetings.
“Gary has the unique ability to continue to honor the past while — at the same time — he understands that the game is always evolving.
“He has shown tremendous vision when it comes to how to change along with it.”
Bettman has helped grow the sport, bring in expansion clubs, negotiate massive tv deals, and overall has been a major positive to the game of hockey.
He has been worth every penny of that $166 million.
