Gary Bettman tells reporters that he's not retiring anytime soon, even at age 74

The Gary Bettman Show goes on...

Today on his 74th birthday the NHL commissioner told reporters that he is not retiring from his position anytime soon and that, “reports on his demise have been greatly exaggerated."

Earlier this year however, Bettman confirmed to media that their was a succession plan in place to eventually replace Bettman at the top of the NHL. It's not clear whether or not that plan is still in place of if things have gone back to the drawing board but Bettman did confirm that "nothing is imminent."

Bettman's tenure as NHL commissioner has been one of the most polarizing in professional sports. Since taking over in 1993, Bettman has overseen enormous growth for the league, expanding from 24 teams to 32 and helping drive revenues to record levels. He has also played a major role in implementing the salary cap, securing lucrative television deals, and expanding the NHL's footprint into non-traditional hockey markets such as Las Vegas, Nashville, and throughout the American Sun Belt.

Despite those accomplishments, Bettman has remained a lightning rod for criticism among both fans and players. The most common complaint stems from the three labor disputes that occurred under his watch, including the cancellation of the entire 2004-05 NHL season and the shortened 2012-13 campaign. Many fans continue to blame Bettman for lost games and fractured relationships between the league and its supporters.

Players have also criticized Bettman over issues such as the NHL's absence from multiple Olympic Games, denying many stars the opportunity to represent their countries on the sport's biggest international stage. Even superstars such as Connor McDavid have publicly expressed a desire for more best-on-best international competition.

Among fans, Bettman is routinely booed whenever he appears at NHL events, with criticism often directed at his support of struggling Sun Belt franchises, controversial league policies, and a perception that he prioritizes owners over supporters. Yet the irony of Bettman's tenure is that while he may be one of hockey's least popular figures, the league has never been more financially stable. Whether viewed as a visionary or a villain, his impact on the NHL is impossible to ignore.