Bettman calls Daily News report 'fabrication'
Daily News Flyers blog
Bettman calls Daily News report 'fabrication'
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called the Philadelphia Daily News' report on Saturday about the Flyers' private change in lockout stance a 'fabricaton,' in an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press.
Winnipeg Free Press columnist Gary Lawless asked Bettman: "There was a report out of Philadelphia on Saturday that says you are losing the support of owners."
Bettman replied: "It was a fabrication. Ed Snider is the one who told me about the article when he found out about it and he was terribly upset. He's in Europe and it was his idea to put out a statement. Anyone who doubts the resolve of ownership is either uninformed or (being) intentionally misleading."
Snider, 79, the NHL's longest-serving governor and a member of the executive committee, broke the league's lockout silence mandate to issue a statement about the story:
"An article appearing in today's Philadelphia Daily News is absolutely erroneous," Snider said. "I am a solid supporter of National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman and the League in this unfortunate situation. Like all fans, players, owners and League officials, I am extremely hopeful that an agreement can be reached and we can eventually be playing hockey again soon. League rules prevent me and all owners from making any comments on the labor negotiations. I will continue to honor that and not make any further comments."
Daily News executive sports editor Chuck Bausman reiterated his support for the story on Monday, saying the paper will continue to stand by its reporting.
Liars to the end.— Atomic Fury
Daily Snooze...put out a fabrication... nah...that couldn't happen..LOL— fbpdplt- If a tree falls in the forest but nobody gives a rat's behind, does it really make a sound?
- Frank Seravalli is the worst of the worst writers in Philly. Frankie....brah... seriously, hang it up. Your stories are weak, and your Twitter account is embarrassing.— gpants
- Who Cares?!?!?!!?— Carl Spangler
- Why did you post if you don't care?
— TexColorado - when did the hockey season start? does anyone even care, other than the 15k-20k morons that follow this nonsense? This is why this "sport" ranks behind equestrian in interest. Two lockouts in the past 7 years, and nobody even notices.— thingfish
- You noticed.
— TexColorado - Who cares if Snider supports Bettman or not? As a die hard fan, I do not support Bettman and all the damage he has done to the league.— blackknight
- The article makes too much sense for it not to be true. Snider is old enough that he won't be around for too much longer. Why would he damage his team and the league, and his last chances to win a Cup, for a battle over money he'll never get to spend anyway?— HandNik
NHL By_Laws strictly prohibit franchise owners from making ANY statements during the lock-out.
I find it rather odd that Bettman apparently *directed* Snider to issue a public statement denouncing the DN article. Especially given that Snider was never quoted as saying he had taken a different position, rather it was a source familiar with Snider's thinking on the issue. In other words, an unauthorized (wink-wink) "leak".
For that reason I think the DN article was indeed factual. And kudos to the DN for standing behind the reporting.— backhand- Personally I believe the DN that there is substance behind this reporting. Mr Snider is just worried about the threat of million-dollar fines for anyone speaking out. May the flies of a thousand camels infest Snider's and Buttman's armpits and crotches. They disgust me. This is my first and likely last season as a Flyers season ticketholder. What a poor decision that was.— PhillySubsMac
- "May the flies of a thousand camels infest Snider's and Buttman's armpits and crotches."
Dude, priceless!— backhand - There go the Flyers trying to steal the Eagles steam!— CoettaGarner25
- I have went from a person who would pay premium for good hockey tickets to someone who does not even watch on TV. I am sure I am not alone.— Thelonius Monk
