Jeremy Jacobs, Bruins Owner & Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner

We started the -- series on Monday we had patriots owner Robert Kraft on with the commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell. We will talk with Gary Bettman the commissioner of the National Hockey League and little while but right now. The owner of the Boston Bruins the chairman of Delaware north and the chairman by the way of the NHL board of governors Jeremy Jacobs is on the line hey Jeremy how are you. Are you until very well thank you thanks for taking a few minutes again on our -- series and we were we were just saying before you joined us that that the conversation with you this year. Would probably be. On your part -- much more positive and uplifting conversation based on the play of your team this year. The Boston Bruins had a a terrific regular season and really I think reestablished themselves in the consciousness of hockey fans again.

Yeah I mean I. I have to agree -- under present I mean really going to and where we were. The beginning to see all the where we've run up at the end of the -- went. It was. Real -- in total change and -- Am immensely proud of where they've got to I think things came together probably -- that a lot as well it would. I. I was impressed with with everything from the players coaching and the leadership of the franchise and Peter. And it it was it was a real. It was tremendously rewarding experience and I think yeah that. We showed at least editor -- play against what it meant that we get used in -- yet. We got a future either we were dealing with. Players -- players in. And so are happy that we did do when he trading at -- and the last year. Stresses but. Or late season because. It would probably give it up and prospects for error to ever Atlanta -- The playoffs.

Speaking of the playoffs Germany the Bruins lost the game seven the Carolina. Why and where did you watch game seven in what were your thoughts. In the immediate aftermath of that that defeat.

Once I was involved and for that game all. You know when you get to a game that anything can happen we're gonna see that thing that night. I I think we were better team than Carolina. I think my players felt they were better sure that we -- McCain. I think speech to the use that yet. And the experience -- yeah -- I think that. Point or the and it well. Aggression that they -- that they showed in this series against Montreal. I don't think existed in the jury against Carolina I think we could -- better throughout that I don't think that blocking that I think that. We blah game two is probably more work working three. We got to three. Desperately want. It should have been there we are right back when he Kennedy McCain it can happen and when it took over act. It just shouldn't have been there and we just didn't play the way we could play and that we shouldn't play but that we ourselves I think. From what I can tell those same experience like -- open the players afterward. Only visited the rest. That's probably what for the seat that but it and everything else I think they felt that they were built at the last. In the -- there so. We found ourselves in the position you know I'm happy that we got to where we were. And extremely. Optimistic -- we're going.

I think that the management of your team with Peter surely in the coaching of your team with -- Julian was top notch. You've got a contract situation with sure rally where does that stand right now.

You know animate and activate should be or if I can hire you or your addiction -- in his career. Peter is. Gator bit. Peter weapons they have wrong. -- is as good as the long range -- relationship and I think so. It there'd there'd be involved at this point. Gonna happen. In the next few weeks I imagine. Probably. But I can't just be in the long term executive relationship that he. Things. So I believe that you'll be there for the long. Easy and so they're so it just it sort of.

Repositioning every so many years you know how much you can imagine what -- relationship is gonna be like. But -- workers pinpoint -- quote. Like.

You used the word evolving. Describing that the relationship with -- rally. I think that that word applies to your franchise as well on the surface we see something that we've never seen before. And we've seen of the last few years and that's Peter she rally being the face of the Bruins. Now. What what how how would you change because for a long time it was. -- at the top. Then there's Terry send and and you know it can be -- and in the Michael Michael -- those those characters. I don't think it showed this Abbott but are on the periphery now. How has that changed view and change the franchise.

Well I think that I hear the topic that are. You're using the Jacobs family myself and not. More -- all. Hairy carry debt. That well Burton. For many many years you did it independently and actually. Yeah it's not a bad position because he understands the game music -- outcrop. But there's immediate demand. -- objectives alien Alden we're happy to do what I mean we we ball well I think we recognize that that the ownership but his team as a something that we have but it -- There's stakeholders are every all the entity that we into -- there that the stakeholders. We may be making a position but long range that there the people that. Check and were getting that Peter Peter played a great role he's helped prop now he's calling. You've -- at the you know business and and he can speak with intimate knowledge of what's going -- along with. Can't are her for the people that. Really leading this ranch it won't or doesn't want to say hey we're gonna build things don't -- looking -- long term there's settings. -- all they're not looking for purposes they're looking for long term. -- Long term for the French.

I think the Bruins improved dramatically in their marketing and sales. All of this franchise over the last year -- so I'm not telling you anything you don't know about that the difficult economic times that we're in right now. Do you think -- the Bruins will have to continue to evolve from a marketing and sales perspective in difficult financial issues that we're having right now.

Yeah I think it. There's a very good point. Bill what is. We -- all we -- Thirteen to 14000 seat ticket right now with a 96%. -- you'll see. They. So like if things are healthy pregnant and want. Marketing is important but -- a whole lot easier marketing leader. -- we have a winner in in well. Want that in -- mandate that they got. I I think all the link reject it in well -- that they will sell like even with yet. People are willing to go. In Vienna. He would probably the least expensive. Any change right now into. You know and socialite I think that will continue that. I can't whether.

Germany's edgy -- of the players after game 71 how often do you talk to the players and when you do have those conversations. What kinds of questions to they have for you.

You know they're. I met only be met and how many times this year but. But I really didn't talk to them profitable as well -- Florida at all or they sit there let yet to act together. But we we talk about everything from there it they were planning to. You know what they're doing that I mean there's there's there's just a period that -- Oh. They did they do that talked -- there. There game players -- relationship with the cultures things like that I don't look at the.

Jeremy in your opinion has the salary cap which was implemented several seasons ago. Has it been successful has it done what the National Hockey League wanted it to do.

I think from a often end point it was a very smart play we are now. We we didn't get -- these tremendous variation. What seems a bit you know there were teams that.

My recollection. Is going from memory I think we get something thing as much as eighty million and others that we get that variation that Tuesday. In baseball exit -- Now -- low level playing field. You know. We're just yet can't -- Or -- Carolina. It it if we get this race is period payroll people were able to go all the Allah. Right now you you you -- We finally are getting the part where we've got managers actually -- to manage. Change. The beauty thing nobody ever got our offer for overspending. Because they can't pick out of management team that -- they will now it is amazing when you see that now that exist. In places like the trip they've been able to -- and is there there payroll. -- such eight. Countless players all they used ever burger aero you're going manages. And they got payroll down beating and so well they in the contender for the last few years I. I think it is I think it speaks so well. I'll franchises that that done so well. And but again and got literally. He's he's he's got to bring his payroll. -- cap -- in the competition is so well now in that actually lives but she does is tremendous balance.

I can't remember I asked this question last year about -- your rally saw askew again and see if -- can get a if we get the same answer a different answer wasn't an uncomfortable conversation. When leadership rally. Came to new instead I have to fire the first guy that hired the first coach I hired them -- another direction what what what was that like.

Equity. That was totally. Irrelevant scene you it is that particular that do -- you do what it sustained. It was this same discussion it would carry into the -- your when he went entry you know. If you make the right decision is. -- can make the wrong position you. Right now it was you know he he it was the exactly the right decision. I heard these days to either Wednesday in movement in the heat -- crypto.

Well as we mentioned we've expanded the -- series this year in in addition to talking with the owners of -- Our pro sports franchises we've invited the commissioners of the respective leagues to join us as well and joining the conversation. Is the commissioner of the National Hockey League Gary Bettman Gary -- Michael in Boston I think you know mister Jacobs already thanks for being with us. I.

Very well very well and there.

I assume you're in Detroit the National Hockey League has game seven of the Stanley Cup finals tonight there is nothing better than game seven in my opinion. What's been your opinions so far Gary about the the the Stanley Cup Playoffs as a whole leading up to tonight.

Well first of all about it Detroit yet I hope either or shortly but it I spoke at the in my day job. Top but I am excited about being there obviously one of the best things I get do is present the Stanley Cup. And I'm looking forward that we get the night the -- up -- in respect. They've been competitive they've been exciting they've -- and detaining. There have been -- a number of games. We're teams have been down by three goals have come back. We attic again half a dozen games seven. Almost equal number -- I think it's really been a button on wealth and a lot of people are saying it's perhaps one of the best we've ever had.

We were talking earlier before he came on Gary about the salary cap. Do you believe the salary cap has worked out as well as you envision.

Well every system particularly when -- it -- just it is and I think we're learning. As we go along the odds are getting better handle on it but in concept in terms of creating a range players' salaries. Oil you have an opportunity to be competitive. The cap is worked pretty much the way we have -- it would I think it's one of the reasons that the competitive balance in the league is -- that is --

Do you think it will continue to be. Hard cap and in some caps and other sports there's some loopholes there there there are some flexibility this one is this pretty much what you see is what you get.

And that was one of the -- that was extremely important to us and I think -- continue to be important that was. As we move forward that aspect that the system we think -- pretty well.

Jeremy I am one of the titles that I introduced you -- when we brought you on here today as. Chairman of the NHL board of governors and I think for fans who don't necessarily understand. The hierarchy in the NHL can you help us Jeremy and understand what that title means and how it. Coincides with the the duties of the commissioner Gary Bettman.

Well actually. Yeah. The chairman roll it back it and it I think that mandate -- From. The other owners is basically to support it presumably the goal. Direction or the commissioner. And and basically their recent shipment. In getting what -- And get it done and yet -- and a planet night and endorsing it and thank him. All active. But. And he uses Meehan says. As it benefits the league as a whole. He's got a very brought you -- and as a -- they brought you can't look. Your particular frantic yet politically -- in treated that way I -- that it uses something I enjoy doing so it's very easy. Yeah so we're used. And so we just move forward with.

Commissioner can I get your perspective on the relationship between your office and the chairman of the board of governors.

Sure I I think Jerry is a bit too modest in terms. Just in support -- I think he is a great sounding board he's obviously is very sophisticated businessmen. He's -- the team. Perhaps one of anyone in the league if not the longest standing order reason that up there was great and is -- the experience. Is is. Invaluable to me in terms of somebody. Who is State Council or is is somebody with stage advice is somebody is Jerry said -- can bounce things off of and also gives me a sense. Of what. The club may think or -- they -- react the thing that we wanna do. So why I've viewed as very much is 882 way street in terms of of how we that this relationship because all. Jerry in the words have been extremely. Supportive. It it's Jerry's input to the board that help keep the board's support of but it also -- template that -- be on the right track.

I'd like to ask you both about television and commissioner I'll start with you. In this post season several times. The NHL has gone head to head with the NBA. On TV. Some people would say that's the controversial move. It was that a conscious decision on your part commissioner or is it do or didn't just happen to work out that way.

Well in the NBA went at that -- not that's another -- the well you know we we have we have our our -- we run we have schedule. Oh we have our existing relationships that they wanted to -- things that people and yet. It is we have today. Very very. -- bursts. National broadcasting. Act he package is different and may be Indiana it is on a piece of hey do we have right now. And BC verses. CPC TS and and in early the SN earlier in the playoffs and -- that was well we have in the courses of final. We're different national work that is apt to try to accommodate them as well including building availability. And get our preference would be. If we have waited not at this and that's something that they. Would be saying in the data in both in look at. As we go forward although. I think at some data this morning where the overlapping and elect rate I think zone and percent. But the extent we -- taking these humans would stand in in it that I am sure that something. All of us. Oh well we spoke on particularly in you have the unlikely event that people need this thing doping at the same time. Which would present its own challenges we we've gotten close up -- but that hasn't happened it we we constantly moderate we changed up. -- a little bit the way we did things worked out pretty well because. Our are reading. Have been eating wrong. Verses for example. Will be -- if they did in the quite well -- expect the the OpenId -- seven. So we are constantly -- we thing that makes it read in that. --

Are you both are both of you happy with the a transition from ESPN to -- is here in the United States we think. I ESPN has everything pocket to go from yes universe is what's your take on that in this that's for both of these.

Terrible golf prosper. The -- relationship is. Is much better then. European relationship was in the end. Ended. And performances in improving every year it wrong and they're opening up like 40% area right.

Injured when there and twenty million the ratings are up 40% in there about twenty million more homes and we started. And they hit it in a win win throughout. -- In terms of the specifics because as well. Not only has. Versus freezes us extremely well better than he has in -- and -- when it's also emotional. They they -- their most important property you know we we probably in terms of what they were prepared to pay us. -- in the top five certainly for ESPN. We get pre and post -- chose during the playoffs. They of the Walt Walt coverage we we get the priority of -- treatment. And actually what's remarkable. Is this year. On -- it is more people watch the playoffs. It certainly it will last year -- running as he had yet the end soup and I think going back to 2000 and so and we'll make that number. Particularly startling. Is there -- about eighteen million US homes and ESPN. Now I have the utmost respect he has yet there were good partner you know everybody knows they have everything. But for art and art desired to nurture and -- the sport on television we needed somebody who was in the trees especially in purses and doing.

We would be remiss if we ended our conversation without talking about the relationship between the National Hockey League. And the National Hockey League players association the head of the NHL PA is now Boston guy named Paul Kelly. What's the relationship between the league and its players. And how we move forward with the collective bargaining agreement and and where we stand with all of that right now and -- I I guess I'll start with you.

Permit me that the here's our relationship. -- Yeah. Penalty union went through way eight if a call on my time coming out of work stoppage in the and -- changes that -- at leadership. Or Kelly is is -- I enjoyed working with in my enjoyed the relationship that we in developing. As he -- as he continues on the job. And it's deeper and deeper into and I think that. Only bodes well. Ability to work together in the game I assume the union is satisfied with the collective bargaining agreement because they have the option. Of getting at agreement at the end he's and they chose not so there's at least two more years ago. And I expect. -- where I'm on the job. The relationship continued constructive way.

As a hockey fan I'm very thankful that they chose not to reopen the CPA. I thought that was the last thing the league needed at this point and and a continuation was the best for for all parties involved I think.

Well. Obviously we all the -- labor peace. Collective bargaining is a distraction. And it's one that we certainly. Like who --

Game seven tonight at the Stanley Cup finals in Detroit commissioner Gary Bettman on a very busy day for you we appreciate you taking the time. Jeremy Jacobs the owner of the Boston Bruins we always appreciate you taken the time as well gentleman thanks to both of you for talking to the hockey fans of Boston. You take care that is Jeremy Jacobs the owner of the Boston Bruins Gary Bettman the commissioner of the National Hockey League.