"Hate how Gary Bettman enjoys the booing": Fans react to NHL commissioner getting booed during 2023 NHL draft

The booing of fans is a long tradition in NHL, and no one knows better than Gary Bettman. He has often been subject to the boos and whistles whenever they get the chance.

When it comes to handling the Stanley Cup or making announcements, fans are always found to be booing at Bettman. His entry at the 2023 NHL draft was not exceptional.

As the NHL Commissioner entered Nashville on Wednesday, Gary Bettman again became the subject of heavy booing. The fans present to attend the draft at Bridgestone Arena jeered the commissioner while he took the stage.

Fans were quick to react to Gary Bettman getting booed at the draft ceremony and took to Twitter to share their thoughts. One said:

Being at the top is not an easy task in the NHL, and no one knows it better than Bettman himself. There are many reasons behind fans criticizing and booing him.

Bettman took over the role of National Hockey League commissioner back in February 1993. Since then, he’s been on the top list of villains for the fans.

There are many reasons behind that: lockouts, league expansion, lack of growth of the league, and the Canadian team not winning the Cup since his appointment are some of the reasons. Many fans even blame Bettman for his lack of love and passion for the sport, accusing him of only caring just for making money.

More on NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman

Gary Bettman is an American sports executive who has been the commissioner of the National Hockey League (NHL) since February 1, 1993. Prior to his role in the NHL, he worked as a senior vice president and general counsel for the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Bettman holds degrees from Cornell University and New York University School of Law. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

During his tenure, Bettman played a significant role in expanding the NHL's presence in the United States by adding eight new teams. This resulted in a total of 32 teams by the start of the 2021-22 season.

His efforts were recognized when he was named 'Sports Executive of the Year' by the SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily in May 2014. Additionally, he became a member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

About the author

Abhishek is an NHL writer at Sportskeeda with over 2 years of sports reporting experience and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi. He became a fan of ice hockey after watching NHL fight videos on YouTube, which led to him professionally writing about the sport and his continued interest in all things hockey.

A fan of the Boston Bruins, Abhishek considers their incredible comeback win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 playoffs as the most iconic moment in the NHL. His admiration for the six-time Stanley Cup winners also comes from the team’s storied history, distinctive black and gold uniform and their success in the sport. His all-time favorite NHL players are Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, for their ability to perform at the highest level consistently.

Abhishek ensures his reporting is fair and balanced by being well-researched in his details, which he expects to be relevant, up-to-date and in line with ethical standards. His specialties are doing detailed match analysis and covering fan reactions.

Abhishek enjoys music, traveling and going on walks with his three German Shepherds in his free time, along with learning about horticulture.

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