NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has signed a new contract that will extend his term through 2022, Sports Illustrated’s Michael Farber reports.
The 63-year-old declined to comment on the situation.
Bettman became the commissioner in February 1993 and has been at the helm during three separate lockouts. Labor strife eliminated the 2004-05 season and shortened the 2012-13 and 1994-95 seasons. He last received a five-year contract extension in March 2011.
Bettman has seen four expansion teams, five franchise relocations and three changes to playoff formats in his time as commissioner.
The news comes at a time when the league is under public scrutiny for the handling of the NHL All-Star fan voting and trying to remove John Scott, who was named Pacific Division team captain, from the game. Concussions are an ongoing concern and discussions about how players are treated after their playing days is also a hot topic.
It was reported by Sportsnet in November that Bettman’s salary is more than $9.6 million. The report indicated his 2013-14 earnings marked a year-over-year increase of approximately $800,000 from the 2013 season.
The current collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players’ Association expires in 2022, the same year Bettman’s deal ends.