Gary Bettman, the commissioner of the National Hockey League (NHL), has found himself in a rather embarrassing situation. A video of him pleading with fans to vote for the Arizona Coyotes to get a new arena in Tempe has been released and it's not a good look for the league.
The video was reportedly recorded in partnership with the group, TempeWins, in an attempt to secure fan support for the Coyotes new Entertainment Center in Tempe. The location was already approved by Tempe City Council, but was put forward to the community to officially vote on the facility.
The video begins with Bettman claiming the NHL couldn't be any more supportive of the Arizona Coyotes hockey team. Bettman doesn't acknowledge any of the tough times in Arizona, with ownership changes, financial struggles, and a lack of fan support. But claims that this arena is the only remaining missing piece for the Coyotes.
The video has caused a bit of a stir in the hockey world, with some fans and commentators mocking Bettman for his desperate plea. Other fans have defended Bettman, saying that he was simply doing his job as the commissioner of the league.
Regardless of how one feels about the video, it's clear that it doesn't reflect well on Bettman or the NHL. The fact that the commissioner of the league had to make a video begging fans to support the arena for a struggling team is a sign that things weren't going well in Arizona. It also raises questions about the NHL's decision to keep a team in a market that has struggled to support hockey.
