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,
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.
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,
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.
adequate ensuring health hopefully importance reminder safeguard safety security serve situation turned
The situation turned out to be harmless. But hopefully it will serve as a reminder to all of us of the importance and need for ensuring adequate security to safeguard the health and safety of our players.
acceptable address best bona consists deprive doubtful effort fans knows last late leadership possibly prompt proposal save september start threaten union work
The way it appears, union leadership now will make a last-minute proposal, possibly as late as September 14 or 15, and characterize it as its 'magnanimous last and best effort to save the season,' ... I am doubtful that the proposal will be a meaningful, bona fide effort to address our problems, which threaten to deprive our fans of a prompt start to the season. If the proposal consists of a repackaged 'status quo' system, it will not work - and will not be acceptable - and union leadership knows it.
responses virtually
The responses we are getting in-market have been very strong, virtually without exception.
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We do not yet consider the matter closed. We are hopeful to be able to sit down with the Russian federation in the next several days to discuss whatever concerns they might have in entering into a new agreement.