Bill Daly
Bill Daly
William "Bill" L. Daly III is an attorney and the current Deputy Commissioner and chief legal officer of the National Hockey Leagueunder Commissioner Gary Bettman. He is also a Hockey Hall of Fame Board Member and former NHL Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. Before joining the NHL front office he worked for the New York law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP. He received his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and his law degree from New...
annual assume certain clubs consequences decide hear intentions longer players release safe until wait willing
We'll wait until we hear for certain what their intentions are before we decide what the consequences will be. But I think it's safe to assume that, at a minimum, NHL clubs will no longer be willing to release players from contractual obligations to participate in the annual world championships.
culture educate gambling players pro
We take this seriously. The pro gambling culture is something we educate our players about extensively.
break challenge concern deal decisions difference experience injuries issue issues led location longer number obviously olympics otherwise players plays time whether
Obviously injuries are an issue and a concern of our clubs. Location of the Olympics plays into that, the significant time difference we had in Nagano (for the '98 Games) was a challenge and it led into a longer break than we would have otherwise liked. There are a number of issues that you deal with as you make these decisions each time around, and probably the most significant is our experience here and whether players are getting hurt.
choose level losing monitor obviously players skilled stay
Obviously we'll monitor it and if we're losing really valuable, skilled players at the NHL level because those players choose to stay in Europe, that's something we'll want to take a look at,
approach couple current dollars economics financial immediate improve league levels losses matter offered overall percent player prevent proposal union virtually
While the immediate 'rollback' of 24 percent offered by the union would materially improve league economics for the 2004-05 season, there is virtually nothing in the union's proposal that would prevent the dollars 'saved' from being redirected right back into the player compensation system, such that the league's overall financial losses would approach current levels in only a matter of a couple of years.
draw emphasize form gambling hockey illegal limiting player question rights talking
It's important that we distinguish between legalized gambling and illegal gambling. I want to emphasize that we don't condone any form of illegal gambling. But when it comes to legalized gambling, the question is where do you draw the line? You are talking about limiting the rights of a hockey player to participate in a legal activity.
benefit certainly decision game great meant players
It's certainly a decision that will benefit NHL players and participating officials. But most importantly, it's great for the game and for our fans. I think Rene realizes that what we're experiencing in the NHL right now is the game the way it was meant to be played. We're very pleased.
agreement cup great player regular speaking tournament
It's a great tournament when we have it. Speaking for the NHL clubs, we would like to have another World Cup tournament and make it a regular event. But, obviously, we need the player participation agreement on that point.
average continue dollar league million pay percent player players salary star systems
Any of these new systems would continue to pay star players multi-million dollar salaries, would see the maintenance of an average player salary of $1.3 million and would pay the players more than 50 percent of league revenues,
began bottom bryan discipline last line mandatory player positive program provides pursuing subject sunday test testing tests
The bottom line is that Bryan didn't test positive in our program. Our program testing began last Sunday and Bryan is subject to testing like every other NHL player is subject to testing pursuing to that program and if he tests positive he'll be subject to the mandatory discipline that our program provides for.
believe choose course depriving develop evaluate extent league losing players
But I don't believe the doomsayers who say it's depriving the league of talent. You're not losing NHL players. But to the extent that there are players who choose not to develop here, that's something we'll evaluate long-term over the course of the contract.
addition attitude environment players rule
In addition to the rule changes, we went out of our way with the players association to make the attitude and environment around the NHL different than in the past.
agree existed fairly further giving issue mandatory matter opportunity players resistance season seemed serious step union vet
The union seemed amenable to giving the matter serious consideration, but indicated that there still existed fairly significant resistance from their membership. They wanted the opportunity to use this season to further vet the issue with their players before they would agree to take the step of implementing a mandatory visor rule.
committed future health necessary objective viability
We are very committed to an objective, and we think that objective is necessary for the long-term future and viability and health of this sport.