Ian White: Gary Bettman is an Idiot

[caps87]

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Ian White had some harsh words for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

"I gotta be honest: I personally think he's an idiot," White told USA Today on Friday. "Since he's come in, I think he's done nothing but damage the game."

White's comments come in regards to the league enduring a lockout for the third time during Bettman's tenure, which began in February 1993. The last lockout forced the cancellation of the entire 2004-05 season.

With the league and players unable to come to an agreement since the latest lockout went into effect Sept. 16, multiple sources told ESPN that Bettman suggested to NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr on Wednesday that the two sides take a two-week moratorium from negotiations.

"The whole process has just been frustrating," White told USA Today. "I think, just where we stand now, you'd think that we're close to making a deal if they're willing to come a little bit our way. It's something that could have been done even in the summer. So it's frustrating. There's just absolutely no need to be missing games and doing this kind of damage."

The two sides remain divided on how to share revenue and player contract issues, as well as who shoulders the financial burden of the losses incurred as a result of the lockout.

With scant optimism that a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached soon, reports surfaced Thursday that the next round of cancellations could be on the horizon.

The league already has been forced to cancel 327 regular-season games -- through Nov. 30 -- as well as the annual Winter Classic. There also has been speculation that the fate of the season may be in jeopardy soon.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/86...-bettman-idiot

[rondo]

have to like the fact that white says it like it is. Seems like nobody else has the balls to say it, especially the stars who are already set probably golfing on some get away. Fuk the owners and that little WEJ BETTMAN . Three lockouts shows the deep roots of his hockey background and the deep love of the game that he has .

[Orr4]

Bettman asking for a 2 week moratorium makes it clear that the owners are not interested in settling this thing.

[Fireball_IV]

Deal in the summer?
How about starting during the season?

It's getting to the point that no one gives a flying **** because a deal won't get done.

[shaud19]

Players are about to go ballistic. I thought a deal was close to coming together, but it seems like the talks a going backwards. Why take 2 weeks break?!?!!? Tell that to the fans who've have been held hostage during these so called negotiations. The NHL owners have to stop beign so $#@%ing selfish!!!

[ChiefJunior]

The NHL owners have to stop beign so $#@%ing selfish!!!

And the players aren't?

You think White is speaking out for the fans sake? I don't think so. Him, like most of the players are now starting to realize that the cheques won't be coming in anytime soon. If they were serious, they coulda done a better job trying to get a deal done too.

[Wadubbin]

White's saying what we already know...