" 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 think I have to agree -- under present -- I mean really going -- where you were the beginning to -- 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 bet that a lot as well it would. -- I was impressed with with everything from the players coaching in 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 coal. Players -- players in. And so are happy that we -- do when he trading at -- and the last year. Stresses but the -- late season because. It would probably give it up and prospects for a jumper that last run out of 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 in that -- 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 well yeah I I think that point or the and it well. Aggression that they -- again that they showed in the series against. Montreal. I don't think existed in. -- against Carolina I think we could have played 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 can and McCain and it happened 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 that 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. Built at the last. In the -- there so. And we found herself 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 get like -- or -- or your addiction -- in his career. Peter is. Peter -- it. Peter what does they have wrong. Easy is as good as the long range -- relationship and I think so. -- there'd there'd be involved in this clinic. Going to happen. In the next few weeks I imagine. Probably. But I can't just be in the long term executive relationship I think -- Things. So I believe that you'll be there for the long haul. Easy and so they're so. It's just it sort."
" Repositioning every so many years you know how much you can imagine what relationship is going to be like -- But from a personal point. The quote. Like."
" You used the word evolving. Describing that the relationship with Peter -- 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. I mean you're 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 want to say it showed this Abbott but are on the periphery now. How has that changed view and change the franchise."
" Well I think it I hear the topic that are using the Jacobs family myself and not. More on 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 -- there's -- demand to -- objectives alien -- 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. Really only stretch. And we're getting that Peter Peter played a great role he's helped prop now he's calling. -- at the you know business and and you can speak with it and it out to eat well. All along with. Can't hurt her -- the people that really. Leading this -- it won't or doesn't want to say hey we're gonna build -- that Philippine long term there's an angle goal. All they're not looking for purposes -- looking for long term. Well. 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 yet. 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. In we have a winner. In. Well and want that in -- mandate that they got. I I think all the link reject -- in well -- that they will sell like even with yet. People are willing to go. Eight and beyond that he would probably the least expensive. Any change right now. And you know and socialite I think that will continue that. I asked 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 get to talk to them profitable as well -- Florida at all or they just -- and yet to act together. But we we talk about everything from there it they were planning to. You know what they're -- that I mean there's there's there's just a very good thing to. Oh. They did they do that talked -- info there. There game players their relationship with the cultures things like that I don't --"
" 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."
" Yet. I think from a often end point it was a very smart player we were -- We we didn't get these these tremendous variation in. What seems a bit you know there were teams that. My recollection. Is going from reacting we get something thing as much as eighty million and others that we get that variation that Tuesday. In baseball exit is it. Now we've got -- low level playing field. You know."
" We're just yet can't winning in. Or -- Carolina. It it if we get this race is period payroll people were able to go all the -- Right now you you you can't. We finally are getting the part where we've got managers actually get to manage. Change the beauty thing nobody ever got our offer for overspending. Now they will because they can't pick out of management team it -- 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. In such a -- countless players all they used -- burger aero you're going manages. And they cut payroll that'll be the -- so well they. 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 in. And cap number in the competition is so -- now. In that actually went analogy is as 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 the same discussion it would -- the -- your when he went entry you know. If you make the right decision is. They the 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 -- 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 game six's I think it's really been a button on well. 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. That ranged players' salaries or 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 features 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 it 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. From. The other owners is basically to support it presumably the goal in the direction -- the commissioner. And and basically their recent shipment. In getting lucky. And get it done it yet -- and a planet night and endorsing it. Well it is. But. And he uses Meehan says. It benefits the -- as a whole. He's got a very brought Uga and as a -- brought you can't look they -- particularly frantic yet politically at -- And treated that way. I inherited -- something I enjoy doing so it's very easy and we've -- a similar news. And so. We just who or what."
" 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 -- He's obviously is very sophisticated businessmen. He's on the scene perhaps as well as anyone in the league if not. The longest standing order reason that up there was great and is -- the experience. Is 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 want to do. So why I've viewed as very much is 882 way street in terms of of how we that this relationship because all. -- 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 and 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 -- 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. -- buried. -- national broadcasting. -- package is different then may be Indiana -- 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 RTS 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 look I'm. But that hasn't happened it we we constantly moderate we -- that the -- this year. A little bit the way we did things worked out pretty well because our our 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 things 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. The 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 they're winning -- ratings are up 40% in there about twenty million more homes and we started. And it is going to win win for a at -- let me give you I I agree with -- but let me give you -- little bit more. In terms of the specifics because well not only has. Versus freezes us extremely well better than he has in -- and -- when it's also emotional. Eight the -- their most important property you know we've we've probably in terms of what they were prepared to pay us more and in the top five. Certainly yes he had. We get pre and post -- chose during the playoffs they of the Walt Walt coverage we get the priority -- lenient treatment. And actually what's remarkable. Is this year. On earth is more people watch the -- off. It certainly it -- last you running as he had yet the end soup and I think going back to. 2000 and so and what 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. -- for art and art desired. Nurture and -- the sport on television we needed somebody who's 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. Soviet Union went through way eight if a call on my time coming out of work stoppage in it and to change that 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 our ability. In other in the game. I assume union. Is satisfied with the collective bargaining agreement because they have the option of getting at agreement at the end he's in the chose not so. At least two more years ago and I expect. -- where I'm on the job. The relationship continued constructive."
" 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."
" 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. "
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