Gary Bettman recently appeared on Hockey Night In Canada to be interviewed by the CBC’s Ron McLean.
What followed was a sometimes nasty exchange between the two mostly resulting in Bettman being defensive.
While the segment appeared to have ended, the cameras kept rolling as the two men continued to talk:
McLean: So why do you think you are the most hated man in hockey?
Bettman: I am not the most hated man in hockey. Who says that? You?
McLean: Well, everybody does…
Bettman: Who is everybody? You?
McLean: Yeah, well me and just about everyone out there…
Bettman: Listen, Greg…
McLean: Uh, I’m Ron
Bettman: Whatever, you know who you are. I am not the most hated man in hockey. I am more like JR Ewing. People love to hate me. That’s how I sell hockey. That and keeping expansion teams away from Canada.
McLean: Okay, I’ll give you that one…
Bettman: You know what you’re problem is? You are still acting like a ref.
McLean: Well that is what I did for a living and I do work with Don Cherry.
Bettman: Yeah, but you are supposed to come after me with tough questions and the moment it gets heated, you go, “Well, I’ll give you that one.” (mocking Ron McLean) Gad, I hate that about you Canucks.
McLean: Yes, you got me there.
Bettman: There you go again. Stop doing that! Tell me where to go. Tell me to f*** off!
McLean: Okay well ….you …just ….frig off!
Bettman: Not “frig off”! The word is f***. You are too nice!
McLean: Well perhaps you could take some pointers too. For instance, you never look at the camera and you have your head up like you are about to drown.
Bettman: Listen, that is my style. I am American. I managed the NBA and I always looked up to the players…literally. You got a problem with that?
McLean: Fair enough…
Bettman: Stop that….sweet Jesus of the Jews, when are you going to learn?
McLean: So you are out to keep the NHL franchises from coming back to Canada?
Bettman (throwing his hands up in the air): Now he distracts me with another question. What are you, attention deficit?
McLean: Well our viewers want to know where you stand on this?
Bettman: All I am saying is follow the money trail. The money and future of professional hockey is in the states.
McLean: You may be right about that…
Bettman: Oh..my…God. Are you hearing yourself? I can’t take it anymore. I cannot stand polite Canadians. You are so sickly polite to deal with. WE WANT RUTHLESS, MEAN, THROAT-CUTTING, SHREWD owners and that is not ANYONE I know in Canada.
McLean: Okay…
Bettman: Just shut it, pal. The NHL will go to South America before it expands back in Canada.
McLean: Gary Bitterman, Folks
Bettman: That’s Bettman and you know that…
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