Commissioner Bettman: Overpaid? An Interleague Comparison
by SkinnyFish on Jul 12, 2010 3:46 PM EDT
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PrintJason Deforest from the Fan960 in Calgary, AB earlier today tweeted that Gary Bettman made $7.23M as NHL commissioner last year. Ugh is right. That immediately seemed like a large amount of cash compared to what most NHL players make. So that got the ol' hamster wheel spinning and I decided to compare Bettman's salary to that of the commissioner of the other Big Four leagues; Goodell with the NFL, Selig with MLB, and Stern with the NBA.
Note: All figures used represent 2009 salaries and revenues.
First let's compare commissioner salaries to the highest paid players in their leagues:
| League | Commish | Salary | Max. Player | Salary | Commish/Max. Player |
| NHL | Bettman | $7,230,783 | Lecavalier | $10,000,000 | 72% |
| NFL | Goodell | $10,900,000 | Peppers | $16,683,000 | 65% |
| MLB | Selig | $18,350,000 | Rodriguez | $33,000,000 | 56% |
| NBA | Stern | $10,000,000 | Bryant | $24,806,250 | 40% |
Note: Per the CBA the maximum salary an NHL may receive is 20% of the cap, or $11.88M. Bettman makes 61% of that.
Players making more than the Commissioner per league:
| NHL | 19 |
| NFL | 32 |
| MLB | 15 |
| NBA | 27 |
So when you look at the high end salaries, the NHL along with the MLB seems to pay their top players less in comparison to their commissioners than do the NFL and NBA. That sucks if you're just below top tier talent, like say a Patrick Marleau.
But what about the average player salary for each league? Head over the jump to find that out, plus a lot more.
| League | Commish | Salary | League Average | Avg. Player/Commish |
| NHL | Bettman | $7,230,783 | $2,000,000 | 28% |
| NFL | Goodell | $10,900,000 | $841,000 | 8% |
| MLB | Selig | $18,350,000 | $3,297,828 | 18% |
| NBA | Stern | $10,000,000 | $5,854,000 | 59% |
Sweet Jesus are players in the NFL getting hosed. Granted being on the punt return team for only 16 games a season really isn't worth a lot, especially considering that NFL teams are allowed up to 53 players. In this light, Bettman looks to be only slighly overpaid. But again there is a large difference in players per team between the league, so perhaps we should compare the commissioners salary to the average salary of the teams in their leagues:
| League | Commish | Salary | League Average | #/Team | Team Average | Commish/Team Avg. |
| NHL | Bettman | $7,230,783 | $2,000,000 | 22 | $44,000,000 | 16% |
| NFL | Goodell | $10,900,000 | $841,000 | 53 | $106,798,132 | 10% |
| MLB | Selig | $18,350,000 | $3,297,828 | 25 | $82,445,700 | 22% |
| NBA | Stern | $10,000,000 | $5,854,000 | 15 | $87,810,000 | 11% |
Note: These are average salaries, not caphits, and are merely estimates.
Well when you look at it that way, Bettman doesn't seem to be overpaid at all when compared to team salaries. One last thing to compare would be a commissioner's salary versus their league's revenue. So let's do that:
| League | Commish | Salary | League Revenue | Commish/Revenue |
| NHL | Bettman | $7,230,783 | $3,000,000,000 | 0.24% |
| NFL | Goodell | $10,900,000 | $7,800,000,000 | 0.14% |
| MLB | Selig | $18,350,000 | $6,800,000,000 | 0.27% |
| NBA | Stern | $10,000,000 | $4,000,000,000 | 0.25% |
Will somebody please give Roger Goodell a raise?!?! Using this metric, it appears as though Gary Bettman is in fact paid proportionately correct compared to the revenue of his league.
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if gets 61% of the revenue that the Leage sees, it’s absurd. There are a TON of League employees who must be getting paid very little.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jul 12, 2010 3:53 PM EDT reply actions
he gets 61% compared to the cap. he gets less than 1% of league revenue/
A Nation of Masochists
1967 - Owning the drought since 2010
I don’t care how you dice it, $7.23 million to be an ass and not do what’s in the best interest of the league in favour of carrying out your own plans is way too much.
by CanadianMaple09 on Jul 12, 2010 3:56 PM EDT reply actions
I would not like to have a Make if 7 debate today please.
"...sometimes I wake up cradling a gourd."
Okay, scratch the last part. “I don’t are how you dice it, $7.23 million is way too much.” is how it should read.
by CanadianMaple09 on Jul 12, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
What if it was a make it 8 debate?
I kid, I kid.
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Jul 12, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Bettman’s job is to make the owners happy. Bettman makes the owners happy. Bettman gets paid $7M a year and doesn’t care that you hate him.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
I’ll never understand how the other owners are happy handing out their revenue to the Bettman Belt teams. It defies any kind of logic I can come up with. But you’re right.
by CanadianMaple09 on Jul 12, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Because the teams giving money to Phoenix used to spend $100M on salary and now they pay $60M.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
He’s essentially the CEO of a billion dollar corporation. He’s paid fairly.
A Nation of Masochists
1967 - Owning the drought since 2010
Plucked from here: http://www.plunkettresearch.com/Industries/Sports/SportsStatistics/tabid/273/Default.aspx
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Further sources back up their claims. Shocked me too, but when you realize that the NHL plays nearly 5 times as many games as the NFL it makes more sense.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
The NFL should make more than the NHL per season based on TV revenue alone, but in terms of operating income, the TML are second among all North American pro teams, behind only the Washington Redskins.
In loving memory of #21 Chris Higgins......I never even got the chance to say "I Love You"
that said, I have an extremely difficult time believe the NHL made 3 billion in revenue. A very, very difficult time
In loving memory of #21 Chris Higgins......I never even got the chance to say "I Love You"
Considering their TV contract only nets them 75 million per year…
In loving memory of #21 Chris Higgins......I never even got the chance to say "I Love You"
Gate driven vs TV driven.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Average attendance of 17,070 per game. 41 home games per 32 teams = roughly 21 million people. $100 a ticket = $2.1B. Ad in TV contracts, endorsement deals, etc…… and you have $3B.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
I just ran the numbers using the figures on Forbes, and its surprising correct. I’m surprised.
In loving memory of #21 Chris Higgins......I never even got the chance to say "I Love You"
And if you think each seat in the NHL is full every game, and bringing in $100, I’ve got a bridge in brooklyn to sell you.
How about this: (30 teams) * (23 roster players) * ($841k average salary) equals only about $580 million in total player salary. Players are getting less than 20% of the pie? I know there are expenses, but still.
You had me at no problem.
Skinnyfish used the average attendance. He didn’t assume max attendance.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jul 12, 2010 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, I see that now. But really? Average attendance is that high? Verizon Center’s max capacity is only 18,277. I would expect the Phoenixes and Floridas of the world to drag the numbers down. I guess the Vancouvers of the world pull it up.
You had me at no problem.
yes really
Mirtle breaks it down here.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jul 12, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
how can you even think of using average attendance numbers. they have phoenix pulling in between 11,000 and 17,000 fans a game. I heard our radio broadcaster making jokes about there not even being 5,000 at the game the Sens played there this year. The NHL completely misreports attendance to make itself look good. You don’t lose 25 million dollars if your attendance is those numbers. Add to that low number the fact that they give tickets away in Florida, Tampa, Nashville which by the way had next to no corporate sponsorship and Atlanta and there’s no way those attendance figures stand up.
Dan
by Hockey Playoff Run SensFan on Jul 23, 2010 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions
in a mildly related, but rather unrelated point.
i was watching that TSN special, Why Not Canada? (or whatever it’s called) and when they discussed a second TO based team, at some point the guy they were interviewing stated that the Leafs revenue exceeded that of the other 29 teams…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jul 12, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I assume you mean the other 29 teams combined?
by CanadianMaple09 on Jul 12, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
that was what I thought I heard…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jul 12, 2010 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Um, the Leafs revenue did not. Their operating income, yes, it’s possible. Like I said above, the Leafs are the second most profitable team in North American sports.
In loving memory of #21 Chris Higgins......I never even got the chance to say "I Love You"
my bad
i wrote Leafs, but meant MLSE (Leafs, Raptors, merch, etc….)
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jul 12, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t they have to change their name a few years ago because of the racial implications of the word “redskins”? Or was that another team I’m thinking of?
by CanadianMaple09 on Jul 13, 2010 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions
BUD SELIG
MAKES 18 MILLION DOLLARS
/HEAD ASPLODE
My Goal Is To Make Each Comment As Meaningless As Possible
plus endorsements from steroid manufacturers.
by ShahofToronto on Jul 12, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Also
Where did you find the league revenue numbers?
My Goal Is To Make Each Comment As Meaningless As Possible
Yo
http://www.plunkettresearch.com/Industries/Sports/SportsStatistics/tabid/273/Default.aspx
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Ah, you know what’s throwing the numbers off. The websites where I found average NFL salaries was including players on the practice squad who make peanuts.
Average NFL payroll is: $113M for an average per player (53 per team) of $2.1M. Recalculate the rest as necessary.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Makes sense
I thought it might be something to do with bonuses – didn’t even think about practice squad players.
That puts Goodell’s salary at about 9.6% of the average team salary. Goodell is definitly underpayed compared to the others!
by masterkembo on Jul 13, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
The question shouldn't be if he is over paid
Gary Bettman is over-employed.
Hate is a strong word so…
I loathe him to the nth degree.
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jul 12, 2010 8:39 PM EDT reply actions
Seeing Horatio Cane makes me want to do something similar. But with his head, not mine.
Haha no eyes! Let’s see if you wanna take your sunglasses off at the end of every sentence now!
by CanadianMaple09 on Jul 12, 2010 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Bettman’s a fucking moron this guy doesn’t have the brain-power to do this job properly.
It seems like the bums at the bottom of the hockey foodchain (us) could run the league better.. Or so we think, at least.
Life is like a bottle of Percocets. You can pretty much guarantee you're gonna get screwed at some point.
by realcanadianbacon on Jul 13, 2010 1:10 AM EDT reply actions
Some math and facts
When Bettman was hired back in 1993, NHL league revenues were $400mm/year. They’re now close to $3bn, and the league has made money and grown revenue every year under his tenure. Not that it matters but this is why he was hired.
When Bettman took over, the NHL was pulling in less than 40% of what the NBA was pulling in. Today that number is around 75%.
The NBA? David Stern managed to LOSE $400mm last season. Wait until their CBA comes up for negotiation.
Remember, it was Bettman who instituted the Canadian Assistance Plan (meaning why we have six teams in Canada and not 3).
The whole Versus deal for American audiences? ESPN gave a lowball bid with the BOG declined near unanimously. Versus came in with an offer for more money which was accepted. Stupid and dumb, right?
Except that Versus ratings for NHL hockey are now better than they were at any time when ESPN had the rights.
Read that last statement again. Now spread the gospel.
Think about the problems that Gary Bettman has to deal with and compare those to Roger Goodell (uncapped year, potential lockout, all the players in trouble with the law), Bud Selig (where to even start), David Stern (losing money, a “soft” cap, Lebron James, “PR and image issues”, etc.).
However, while Bettman is a smart cookie, he is beyond horrible on tv (and we won’t even get into the whole “seriously dude- what is with the fucking mom jeans at the Olympics?”. His mannerisms, speaking style, posture…you’d think the league would spend $100K and have him work with someone to make him easier to take (on the radio he’s marginally better).
The Maple Leafs and golf- making me insane since 1985.
When Bettman was hired back in 1993, NHL league revenues were $400mm/year. They’re now close to $3bn, and the league has made money and grown revenue every year under his tenure. Not that it matters but this is why he was hired.
People harp too much about revenue. Revenue is just a means to an end, in this case the end being profit. Does any one know what that number (profit) is both in fiscal year 1993 & the immediate past fiscal year?
Not that it matters. Bettman is annoying… if a hobbit and weasal had sex I can’t imagine the offspring being anything other then something similer to Gary Bettman.
some minor stuff on finance and revenue from someone who's not sure about those numbers
If I had a 300 million dollar revenue stream in 1993, it should (depending a bit on the risks taken and the investments incurred) be mature at more than where it is right now. However, there are multiple opinions as to what that amount should be (depending on what the nature of that revenue stream is, mostly), and evaluating the revenue has to be based on a firm understanding of what is expected (well defined expectations of potential revenue are fairly difficult for sports). Is his job a fund management position? Is he expected to make that stream mature at the average for similar funds (i.e., the NFL (almost like comparing a small venture company to Goldman Sachs), MLB, NBA, even MLS (all closer, I think))? I’m not sure.
Personally, I believe, that professional athletics are very risky, difficult to hedge. very diificult limit exposure to potential shocks (lockout, anyone?), and should thus have high expected return to justify investment (somewhat like a volatile commodity or exchange rate). It’s notoriously easy to lose money in sports because of those reasons. However, given stable growth of the league, a league friendly CBA, and increased revenue streams, Bettman should probably be making more money for the league than he is.
"Voetbal is pas totaal als je wint"- Coach Adun
"The greatest sin is to spurn the gift"- Coach Alistair
Ok fine he has done some good things the Canadian Assistance Plan is one of them and sure making the league money is good .
But where i think he failed is having to cancel a whole season to protect the owners from them selfs . Nobody held a gun to their heads and made them sign players to crazy contracts .
And can you blame players if somebody want to pay you more than your worth?
Gary works for the owners he should have fixed the problem from within . Not make the fans suffer thru that bullcrap we all did and guess what rumor has it we may have a lockout for the 2011/2012 season
Show me the CUP
Bettman=worst commissioner in sports
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by bestbostonsports on Jul 13, 2010 12:17 PM EDT reply actions
where did you hear that?
You may be taking Jared a little too seriously
by JaredFromLondon on Jul 13, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Stern
Takes the cake IMO. Basketball is a freakin mess.
by masterkembo on Jul 13, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
He's had to make the commissioner's office have any power
it used to have no power, the literal wild west of sports leagues. It’s only sort of a mess, and once he lassoes the owners (who are not good at business! Amazingly, amazingly bad for a good deal of them, many of them do very, very unethical things), I think he can convince them that profits are a good thing.
"Voetbal is pas totaal als je wint"- Coach Adun
"The greatest sin is to spurn the gift"- Coach Alistair
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