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:
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.
Haha. So Bettman wants to tango with the Philly media, eh? Yeah, good luck with that Gary boy...— Reality Speaks- I was thinking the same thing.
I don't think Bettman thought this one out before opening his mouth.
I REALLY want the Flyers to win the Stanley Cup, and at home, so Bettman will have to present the Cup in front of the Philly crowd. Priceless.— backhand - I trust Ed. After all he did win us a cup 40 years ago.
Signed,
One of the 20,000 sheep
— TEMPLE55 - WHO CARES....the 19000 fight fans that fill the building are out chasing their turkey and the rest of us don't give a dam....Hockey is dead, till Bettman and Snyder and the other fat cat owners are ....— nuggett
- Stick to your guns Chuck...someone has to when it's entirely transparent that both the league and the union are full of it.— mediatedviscera
- What? You mean the media has an agenda, or made something up? I thought that only happened in Presidential campaigns.........— Mark1npt
- Thanks Ed for no hockey this season.
Go to hell NHL.— mrh1955 - Many years ago, in the "hot type" era, I worked for the Inquirer . One thing I learned was that if a reporter wrote an article that had any degree of controversy, he had to show his editors that he had the facts to back up his claims. If he could not convince the editors, the article didn't run.
When an article did run but the facts were disputed by the subject of the article, the editors would call the reporter back in and ask for specific things, like the reporters source(s) and the reporters notes. With respect to sources, the editors want to know if the source is in a position to know the facts. It's unlikely they would consider the Zamboni driver as a reliable source.
If the reporter could not back up his claims, not only would the paper print a retraction, but they would also issue a "correction" to the reporter. In the journalism business a "correction" is very serious. Get two corrections in a career and you're more than likely finished in the journalism business.
So when editor when Daily News executive sports editor Chuck Bausman said the paper was standing by the story, I am satisfied that Seravalli had his facts straight. Whoever he spoke with in the Flyers or NHL organization was quoted accurately.
— backhand - I agree with backhand. Besides, Snider is partially responsible for this mess to begin with.— dmn
