Losing Bettman: What Can NHL Learn From NBA?

The NBA and NHL are two entirely different leagues. For one, they serve different demographics and are only similar because they both play 82 games during the fall. NHL odds are also very different from the NBA’s. But that doesn’t mean Commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL can’t take notes from what Adam Silver is doing over in the NBA. There are some ways Bettman can improve the NHL.

Bettman came from the NBA, serving as general counsel and senior vice president before he was elected NHL commissioner in December 1992.

Let’s check the latest NHL news, stats, injury reports, and NHL lines. We’ve got plenty of NHL picks for you to consider.

1. Experiment With NHL’s Season Structure

Bettman, like Silver, has not been shy in tinkering with the NHL’s structure. Under Bettman, the NHL has implemented several rule changes, including the current overtime and shootout format. The league has also realigned divisions several times.

But Silver and the NBA have recently implemented a play-in format that will give four additional teams a shot at the playoffs. This also precedes a proposed midseason tournament that may even bring in teams outside of the NBA.

With the NHL now having 32 teams, adding extra playoff spots could generate more interest among the fans. With the current playoff structure, teams like Washington and Buffalo will miss the playoffs. That means Alexander Ovechkin and Tage Thompson will end their seasons in April.

Tage Thompson continues to just COOK from that left circle. ��‍�� pic.twitter.com/Im7WdPI7ay

Sports are driven by the stars. The more the NHL can get out of these players, the better. It’s also how a midseason tournament could work if they float the right incentive.

Presently, a quarter of the NHL’s teams have fans cheering for their team to lose. Bettman denied it, but it’s hard to sell that to Anaheim fans when their team is getting blown out almost every night. A midseason tournament can, momentarily, get these fans cheering for their team for the right reasons again.

2. Push the NHL to be More Inclusive

One thing that sets the NBA apart from its three other “Big Four” peers is its lead in advocating for social justice. The NBA is not perfect and has remained mum on international affairs. But in North America, the NBA has become a vocal proponent for Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ issues and gender equality under Silver’s watch.

It does not have to get political. But Bettman, who has grown the NHL in his 30 years, can further grow the league by making it more inclusive. The NHL is the least diverse of the four leagues. Over 90 percent of the league is composed of players who identify as white. That’s not entirely the NHL’s fault.

But one reason that’s the case is the barrier to entry for hockey. The NHL has programs to grow grassroots hockey and make it more accessible for everyone. But the league needs to be more of a prominent advocate for issues affecting marginalized communities at a high level.

3. Make the NHL More Star-Driven?

As mentioned, superstars are what drives the marketability of a league. Wayne Gretzky’s move to Los Angeles took the NHL to new heights. It created two more hockey teams in California and in other non-traditional hockey markets. So it hurts the NHL when its best players, like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews (an American!), are perennial playoff losers.

The NBA, even before Silver, has been partial to its superstars. Folks betting online know that a player like LeBron James can single-handedly carry his team through a game. “Superteams” like the Golden State Warriors helped to drive the league’s popularity.

Now, forming super teams is more difficult in the NHL. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche could qualify as such. The sportsbook gives each team short odds each season. Edmonton’s McDavid can’t dominate as much as James but he’s still transcendental. Maybe if the star players got more help, both on the ice and off the ice, it will help give the NHL more shine.

4. Level Up NHL’s Streaming/Online Experience

Without question, the world is becoming more digital. Cord-cutting is nothing new and sports leagues like the NBA are putting more into their online streaming experiences. Silver revealed the NBA’s new personalization options for the league’s streaming. Whether or not this hits or misses, it’s at least an attempt from the NBA to continue to innovate its viewing experience.

With the end of Bally and its regional sports networks, the NHL can take this as an opportunity to pivot and push the league to be more of a digital entity – make it the Netflix of hockey to an extent. Regional blackouts can finally come to an end, which can help push more people to subscribe to NHL TV and other similar services,. And of course, Bettman and the NHL can improve the experience similar to what the NBA is doing.