" get Sammy at Chicago's. Sports Radio SIX SEVENTY The Score exact same city impropriety today -- Joining me a -- vacation. And then you have a big beat Carolina Pittsburgh Chicago Detroit pitcher frozen. Already got versus -- thanks for the highlights and CS and I'm just -- that you can. He has had to thank all of them for their highlights and let's get out to be ours -- hotline and welcoming the commissioner of the National Hockey League it's Gary Bettman Gary thanks to jump when I was really appreciate it's."

" Good if you if you you know little piece of trivia they -- these music. Accompanying those highlights used to be that the team further ABC for Hockey Night in Canada that's an and they lost the rights and out PS Fed has look."

" I've been and that's why we played a three and and that Iraq -- terrorize some guys a big deaths hockey fan he's actually sitting there right now. And is that McCain irritation -- it was the nineteenth so that -- pays. People wearing their Barack talks numbers on their sleeves -- wearing the jerseys around town. -- I would imagine that the -- getting to this point is good for the week mr. commissioner."

" You know everybody has that women's team comes through revival. And and and might two responses to that are are always and then not have responses -- first of all it is great. For the fans in Chicago. That the roar is back and that the the Chicago Blackhawks. Have really excited the passion of sports fans in the windy city. The second season you never want to see a team. Go through -- down or rebuilding period for too long a period of time and I think we can all agree that the Blackhawks went through a tough time. And it's great to see them back and such a big way yet again to have all the great support they're getting. From the fans in Chicago whether or not it's good for beleaguered you know it's good for all franchises to be healthy and in any given point in time you're gonna have a number one team and -- have a number thirty team you just hope that. Teams are in in the bottom spot for too long."

" Now I understand that's the politically correct answer but you have to admit that there are certain markets -- they that you need to I would think. Success on a consistent basis and one of them I would think would be a market like Chicago one of the biggest that you have in your week."

" We you know I understand why you would say that and and it's always. I suppose interest thing in nice where in big markets are driving big ratings. But it's first and foremost about the competition on the ice how exciting new games are. You know -- the series you know interest in compelling that they go to six or seven games. You know we we're real like the parent. With thirty children we'd love them all. And they all succeed in various in different ways and you can't have favorites because frankly no we -- Obama just talking about hockey. Enron on the premise that you can only have your big market teams because you think. Because you've got fans and all your markets and again it's about the star is playing like stars it's about. Fans rallying behind their teams no matter. What market therein and so I understand why you think it's politically correct but -- us the most important thing about whom Little League is now. Is that our competitive balance probably has never been better. When you look at the regular season in what happened and that every game mattered and when you look at what's been happening in the playoffs it's all about great hockey."

" That that's really a disheartening to hear Gary has undercut by about about it I just hope you say you -- the Hawks befuddled. Headline but I don't think that would be really good I prefer I think good for you guys aren't sure what we're. Worked so well -- well we spoke -- you couple weeks ago we have we talked about the -- revival and you said to us there's two words -- and give you two words. I don't -- works in the -- right now now believe it or not we have may have had Rocky in studio today Iraqi words -- owner of the black coats comes into the studio -- here for half an hour and talks to the same excuse he wants to talk to the fans and and were it were a sports talk show and so we've we get to ask him any question we want and and he sits here and talks about everything going out the black but I know it's a lot of good news. But you don't get that a lot of professional sports and I would say that that's a lesson for everybody maybe I I I just. Find it amazing that a -- willing to it to talk I know things are going well but he's answered some tough questions now."

" About a I think that's great it's one of the things that makes Rocky Rocky time. But it is that all methods that steal his spotlight but you know why do my own weekly radio yes once a week -- right do the same thing no matter what's going on an all world good or bad -- one of the things that I think gives. Is great about. Owners like Rocky is when you're willing. To connect with the flick fans and reconnect with the fans and everything Rocky has done with this team. You know demonstrates. The hard that passion that he has for the Blackhawks for the -- city of Chicago. And for all the fans and I think that's one of the reasons. That the revival. Has been so bad that in terms of the fan enthusiasm that it's almost inexplicable. Because you know people for years we're talking at least a decade -- written that the Blackhawks off on the sports landscape. In Chicago and almost overnight it's turned around and that's a function of everything. They're -- has done obviously bringing in John McDonough. Was a spectacular move you know -- doing a great job I mean they've been doing all the right things but with everything they've been doing and -- you know having paid -- you know the great group of young players that they're building around. The fact is this was first and foremost. About re connecting the city of Chicago and the fans in Chicago with the Blackhawks and obviously. You know putting the home games on TV didn't hurt. Do you do better."

" There and believe these different event would -- I think Djokovic -- you -- tamale and Haley underscores that David city you're from Brian. At you know here's my pet -- I just give him -- even I know because I don't know it always cute Obama but well yeah it's it's not that big a deal is it good but physically and I mid you can just answer the question but. Okay I'm not an idiot I'm not completely incapable I can't find versus on my cable television sets it's not -- impossible to do but I I I did it to take meekly. A quarter of a second longer than than the program stations do. I get it down I'm taping the game I have to run outs I have to I have to leave the house and unfortunately and I know that if you can't handle radio contracts and all that stuff but there radio contract that is with that -- these -- in the carries the cub games so I thought I could just get back and forth and still listen to the game. And I gotta -- search in the dial so I've had two experiences with the same playoff game Western Conference playoff -- opener I guess the answer -- I shouldn't leave the house and I."

" I don't know I apology no I don't know the -- you can leave the house it's okay there's two things one. You don't win when ESPN was first founded. Decades ago nobody knew who they work and while they were good part is the fact is they had everything. In terms of the scheduling in terms of how we're being carried -- versus -- giving us much greater attention than we ever would have gotten from ESPN. And they are doing a terrific job of giving yeah our hockey which is what it was all about now. I have the so hard to break it sometimes it takes a little effort to find things vs dot com has a channel find their. -- you know so if you if you give them where you located in who yours so your provider is either satellite or cable. They'll tell you exactly where to find it's not that difficult and I know if you find the ones you can find the -- with respect radio. You know anything you think this is a very. Very have -- I'm the year on the sports style. You know you've got in Chicago you've got. Two baseball teams you know the Bulls were playing for awhile and you know the sports stations typically overlap in terms of what they carried. But that's when you should have. Extend serious because they you can get all games all the time and you wouldn't have to worry battle looking forward and I know they're competition with Google we actually have a 24 sevenths. -- on and I'm serious too -- for our attempts and -- do you show to have a right to myself but let Derek beat you and then you can go on NHL that come and get radio feeds. You know if if you willing to spend a couple of minutes you know if you're not sure what to do because you haven't developed the finding habit. Of of everything this great new technological. Digital age gives you if you spend a couple of minutes looking you can find whatever you want. Virtually when you wanted."

" And I indicated fairness to games and NBC and I know that and -- I've kind of it's a setup question but it is. You know it is frustrating sometimes we get calls like that from people movement you know some people still don't have cable which. Seems crazy."

" Public you know I didn't in it -- first of all with with digital TV taking effect and I know they moved it from like February to June. I mean virtually everybody's going to have to have cable or satellite. But but more importantly from. Just about everybody has access to find what they want. And and we are available in all sorts of places and in all sorts of ways and if you ever have a problem you can call us and we'll tell you as well."

" Fair enough. Commission I don't question Duncan did but apparently this -- about it -- I'd really appreciate let me sound awful would probably my. I'm not unloaded the sounding off I actually had a concern because obviously it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that. Around these parts the economy is not good it's it's a countrywide thing obviously I'm sure it extends to Kennedy's wealth. Can't believe you survived with what's going on right now from the economical standpoint in the country."

" the answer is they believe can and will survive there's no question about that. And and there are there are two ways there's too. For me to respond to that the first there's our economic system. Contemplates. Eight direct link between. Our biggest expense which is player costs and revenues. So it is if players if if revenues doubled players' salaries double. If god forbid. Revenues get cut in half player salaries get cut in half and clubs are going to have to manage. Their budget would put the it is sustainable. The second thing is you know we. Only four years ago took a year off to fix our economic system we had difficult economic times so for us. Navigating if you will in difficult economic. Borders isn't something that's new to us and our fans tend to be more connected to the game but the fans of any other sport. We've -- had the biggest fan base but our fans there there avid their ability to -- our game is unmatched. I and that's why we came back from the year off I -- businesses haven't understood. To record revenues and and record attendance record customers and we're grateful for that so the game. As a deep bond constraints -- its fans suddenly. This past season. There was a little softness we were projecting 7% real growth I think it's gonna come in somewhere close to around 5%. But 5% real growth in this environment. I think is is pretty darn good. Doesn't mean I think that we weren't impacted and there's. There's always going to be uncertainty about the future. I would been paying for the last few months that the first indications of what next season will look like. Would all the uncertainty would be season ticket renewals and playoff tickets sales. Well in the playoffs we're playing too over a 100% capacity was standing room and with respect didn't take a renewal a lot of court teams help ticket price a lot of court teams. Went -- a little bit earlier. And it's the middle of may and I think we're like 75%. Renewed for next season already with the funny at times going through the summer until next year so. That's about a -- your chest saying everything's wonderful we understand. These the uncertain economic times but in this environment we're doing okay. And I think the biggest reason for that. Is that our teams are going out there wait for looked to look for ways. To provide value to our fans. In terms of what you get in addition -- season tickets holding the prices giving payment plans -- teams are being very sensitive to the economic climate."

" But Gary you understand and there are a lot of rumors out there that certain franchises might have to move in order to have to fix what's going on -- you know it's here in town we hero of Jerry Reinsdorf potentially being in the running for what what's going on with the Coyotes what is true what isn't true and do you anticipate certain teams having to move in order to stay. Economically viable."

" we don't think any of our team should have to move I think there's entirely too much of stereo on the whole point. It's fueled in certain areas perhaps some that would like to have the team in the and I don't knock that. I say that would be utmost respect but the fact is. Franchises. In our league as in any league if there's nothing particularly well runs. Lauren and economic difficulty but even Phoenix we think is capable of being fixed. And we have a pretty good track record this if you go back to what we're talking about a couple of minutes ago with a difficult economic times. We had clubs like Ottawa Buffalo Pittsburgh. All of homework in bankruptcy of one point of another. And and all the commentary about you know abandoned those markets we don't do that we think we have a confident with our fans food is. It takes seriously the investment that they make and us emotionally and financially they're trying to make things right and if you look at the three franchises like just mentioned. They've all been fixed in their -- worshipped. -- you go back 89 years ago there were articles in the Canadian papers that says there was going to be one franchise left in Canada Toronto. Okay we've never bought into that we we we don't write off our franchise market the only time you move a club is when you have absolutely no choice. Because that affects nobody wants the only thing there anymore. And the I don't see that being the case."

" Jerry obviously know Jerry Reinsdorf Woody being good guys so violent you're taking it."

" Jerry Jerry Reinsdorf does is one of the great owners and they'd all of sports I've known Jerry Reinsdorf for thirty years. You know his success. Is is unmatched the you know winning championships and and sports. You know repeatedly. In one sport. And it in addition to being a smart good guy. He he's staring he knows the right way to run a franchise he knows how to connect with a community. Any sports league would be lucky to have him as an owner and two sports leagues are lucky to have him as an --"

" I pray that Gary Bettman the BN HL commissioner album we'll let you go just curious on the way out did you watch the games and and we want to -- the Hawks come back to me what's that he'll go wrong."

" Game jitters in the conference finals you know the Blackhawks are younger loop slightly less experienced team in the Red Wings who've been there before including last year. But I -- I think they'll find their legs and and I think still make this quite this series it's you don't fall playoff series or bad adjustments. Coach when -- always been there before he knows what to do in the playoffs. And you know what today's Detroit did a pretty good job both bush shutting down page contains. And yesterday both I think we're minus three. And that's soma on them because you know -- great young players and I just think people need to be a little patience yeah that's what about -- like. That's why we played seven games so okay. Thursday night and one you know they've they've held serve in the first game on home ice. Let's see what happens in and you know it it's not it's not easy to predict what's going to happen. Because the competitive balance is so good. I think again you know a young team getting a little more experience and I think yesterday it was a very experiential game. For the black -- They'll be back to be strong with my guess is don't make this into a series. And you've got two fun games to watch I think this has all the great makings of a terrific series."

" Great stuff Gary Bettman the NHL commissioner given a little bit of hope to our placard fans today thanks so much Gary. If -- you guys enjoy the -- thanks so much we aren't doing it."