Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, is a controversial figure among fans. Many question his competence and trustworthiness when it comes to league matters.
Despite his recent statement that the NHL has no interest in further expansion, Bettman has seemingly changed his stance.
Bettman seems to have met with Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith in the past week to discuss the possibility of Smith owning an expansion team. This behavior is not surprising for Bettman, who often goes back on his word. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared the news, stating:
He's interested in the NHL, and the NHL is very interested in him.
Salt Lake City, the successful host of the 2002 Winter Olympics, is considered a frontrunner for hosting the 2030 games. This could lead to new facilities, potentially housing an NBA team and its NHL counterpart.
The billionaire owner could introduce a new sport to Salt Lake City and potentially save costs by having the NHL team share an arena with the Jazz.
Whatever the outcome, it's evident that Bettman is not concerned about maintaining his honesty and integrity in the eyes of NHL fans.