TORONTO (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will have to sweeten the pot if it wants the NHL to even consider playing at the 2014 Winter Games, commissioner Gary Bettman told the World Hockey Summit on Wednesday.
A tough-talking Bettman said the league is not looking for money from the IOC but has a long list of demands, including a bigger say in scheduling and access to its players, if the NHL is to continue its Olympic involvement.
"There are a host of issues that need to be addressed ... if the decision is going to be that we go to Sochi," said Bettman. "We haven't said no and anyone who suggests that we have made a decision or that I'm anti-Olympics doesn't get it.
"When we understand what the IOC and IIHF are prepared to do to make our taking a 16 day break sensible... the board of governors will make a decision."
The Olympic question has dominated discussions the opening three days of the summit that has brought together hockey's power brokers to discuss ways to globally grow the sport.
Despite the massive exposure the NHL received from the hugely successful men's ice hockey tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, Bettman says the benefits have not always out-weighted the negatives.
Chief among the NHL's concerns is turning over control of its biggest asset -- $2.1 billion worth of players -- without having any input into how the tournament is run.
It was revealed at the summit that NHL team doctors were denied access to examine injured players in Vancouver while team officials, including Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Illich, were prevented from meeting their players.
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A tough-talking Bettman said the league is not looking for money from the IOC but has a long list of demands, including a bigger say in scheduling and access to its players, if the NHL is to continue its Olympic involvement.
"There are a host of issues that need to be addressed ... if the decision is going to be that we go to Sochi," said Bettman. "We haven't said no and anyone who suggests that we have made a decision or that I'm anti-Olympics doesn't get it.
"When we understand what the IOC and IIHF are prepared to do to make our taking a 16 day break sensible... the board of governors will make a decision."
The Olympic question has dominated discussions the opening three days of the summit that has brought together hockey's power brokers to discuss ways to globally grow the sport.
Despite the massive exposure the NHL received from the hugely successful men's ice hockey tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, Bettman says the benefits have not always out-weighted the negatives.
Chief among the NHL's concerns is turning over control of its biggest asset -- $2.1 billion worth of players -- without having any input into how the tournament is run.
It was revealed at the summit that NHL team doctors were denied access to examine injured players in Vancouver while team officials, including Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Illich, were prevented from meeting their players.
� Continued...
Watch Board Games Online
