The NHL Board of Governors’ executive committee has started planning for Commissioner Gary Bettman’s eventual succession.
Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold confirmed to The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Chris Johnston that the formal search process for Bettman’s replacement is underway.
Bettman, 72, has served as NHL Commissioner for 32 years – the longest tenure among current North American professional sports commissioners.
Leipold first discussed the succession planning on “The Sick Podcast” Wednesday.
“I think there’s a lot of us that know how (good) Gary has been as the commissioner in this league,” Leipold said. “It’s gonna be a sad day when he’s not a part of it, but that’s a couple years down the road, and we’re doing the planning now. We have to make sure we get it right when he leaves.”
While discussing his future with The Athletic, Bettman emphasized he hasn’t set a retirement date.
“I just wanted to put it on their radar,” Bettman said Thursday. “When you don’t have the energy and the passion, you have to think about it. The good news is I have the energy and I have the passion. I love what I do, and actually, I enjoy doing what I’m doing probably more than I ever would enjoy retirement.”
Under Bettman’s leadership, the NHL has expanded from 24 to 32 teams and seen significant revenue growth.
