Page 6 - TMCF 38th Anniversary Gala

Gala Chair
Gary B. Bettman
GCommissioner
National Hockey League
Gary Bettman has served the National Hockey League as commissioner since Feb. 1, 1993, and has guided the world’s top professional hockey league through three decades of growth and advancement on and off the
ice. Record revenues, record attendance and numerous fan-friendly and community-minded initiatives are
just a few of the ways Commissioner Bettman has brought the NHL to a broader audience, through more media platforms, than at any time in league history.
In recognition of his many contributions to the game, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2018.
Through collective bargaining agreement negotiating and national broadcast rights agreements, Commissioner Bettman has fostered unprecedented economic stability for the league’s member clubs. League revenues have increased more than tenfold during his tenure and franchise values have increased exponentially.
Advancements in the game under Commissioner Bettman include the implementation of overtime and the shootout, which eliminate tied games during the regular season. The league’s introduction of the two- referee system revolutionized hockey officiating around the world. Other innovations include the development and advancement of video review, emergency on-ice trauma care and elevation in the study of injuries.
As a further testament to the league’s international appeal, NHL games are televised in more than 160 countries and covered on NHL.com in multiple languages – Czech, Finnish, French, German, Slovak, Swedish and Spanish – in addition to English.
Growing the game through social impact and
strategic philanthropy continues to be a core pillar of Commissioner Bettman’s tenure, guided by a goal to make hockey more accessible for all fans. Under his leadership, numerous initiatives bring hockey closer to this goal and include the growth of youth participation in on-ice hockey programs; reaching fans in innovative ways with NHL in ASL language broadcasts; and extending the reach of hockey beyond the 32 NHL markets with NHL STREET ball hockey programs.
Many programs have been making a positive impact since the beginning of Commissioner Bettman’s leadership, including Hockey Fights Cancer, which has raised more than $44 million since its inception, supporting cancer patients and their families.
Commissioner Bettman graduated from Cornell University and the New York University School of Law. He and his wife, Shelli, have three children -- Lauren, Jordan and Brittany – and eight grandchildren.
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