A recent report reveals that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman might earn more than every player in the league.
The role of NHL commissioner is challenging yet prestigious, involving the task of managing one of the most popular sports leagues and competing with major North American leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and MLS.
While it might seem that the league's commissioner wouldn't significantly impact fans' decision to watch the sport, and that athletes are the primary drivers of interest, it turns out Bettman's earnings could be surprisingly high.
New report reveals Gary Bettman's eye-popping annual salary
A report from the 2013-14 season provides insight into Gary Bettman's earnings, showing he made $8.8 million in salary and benefits that year (compared to $8 million in 2011-2012). At that time, this salary was significantly lower than the highest-paid NHL player, Shea Weber, who earned around $14 million annually.
An updated source has estimated Bettman's current salary for the 2023-24 season, taking into account his reported net worth of approximately $39 million.
«In 2024, Gary Bettman's worth is estimated at $39M. However, his current salary appears confidential compared to the 2013-2014 data!» - Via TSLH
Considering general salary increases in the NHL, Habs Fanatics has projected that Bettman's current salary likely exceeds $15 million per year.
«Even though his current salary is highly confidential, based on increases from 2011 to 2015, it's reasonable to estimate that he now makes more than $15 million annually.»
If this estimate is accurate, Bettman's salary surpasses that of all players except Nathan MacKinnon, who earns $16.5 million per year. This suggests that even stars like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid might be significantly underpaid compared to their commissioner.
If true, this disparity raises questions about salary transparency in the NHL, potentially influencing player compensation discussions. However, it's unlikely the league will disclose this information openly, as ownership may prefer to keep player salaries lower.