Gary Bettman Really Nailed It When Speaking About The NHL's Potential Participation In The Olympics

Bettman says NHL teams aren't interested in paying for the privilege of sending players to the Olympics.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 30, 2016

Paraphrasing him, if the IOC landscape on who assumes cost to send players to Olympics doesn't change, NHL participation is not expected.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 30, 2016

There are plenty of things to be said about Gary Bettman. While most of them may be derogatory, you really have to commend his ability to say what people want to hear when they want to hear it. I mean, I can't think of one thing that would make devoted hockey fans feel better about not getting to watch their favorite athletes perform on the international stage quite like telling them that it's nothing more than a financially motivated decision. Whew, what a relief. It was one thing when they kept saying it was to make sure their best players stayed healthy. Worrying about the safety of the athletes that we invest so much time, energy, and money in would simply be an unacceptable excuse. I'm sure all the people that look forward to Olympic hockey will understand the need to make the product exponentially inferior now that they know the primary reasoning is to continue to line the pockets of the rich. Nothing slaps a silver lining on bad news quite like finding out that those that are already the most fortunate are benefiting from it.

I can't believe that Gary Bettman waited this long to tell us the truth, but I am glad that he finally did because it is sure to quiet the masses that are so often calling for his job due to a lack of ability to promote the brand to casual fans. Casual fans that hate nothing more than being guilted into Patriotically packing themselves into bars at absurd hours to root for their country. It's about time the Commissioner of the NHL said right by those that may not know the players by name, but do know that there is nothing worse than being given yet another reason to eat, drink, and be merry with their more informed peers.