I think somebody just told Gary Bettman about the next books and ....
He's already trying to work damage control. (link is paywalled)
Mild spoilers below.
>!The NHL and its commissioner, Gary Bettman, know they have "work to do in preparation" for a "plot point" in Heated Rivalry's second season: "[NHL senior executive vice president, Kim] Davis said that while the NHL has been actively involved with the LGBTQ+ community — for example, hosting the NHL Unites Pride Cup — the league must do a “better job” of talking about its actions.!<
>! Heated Rivalry has attracted new audiences to the sport, and the NHL has “such an opportunity to lean into those ‘fans in waiting’ that are now so interested in hockey,” Davis said. “We need to create stickiness with those new fans,” she said. Davis said the league needs to demonstrate through actions, not just words, that it is creating a welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community. !<
>!Asked about Heated Rivalry season 2, which is expected to premiere in April 2027 on Crave and HBO Max, she said it will involve a league commissioner character. However, Gary Bettman, the NHL’s actual commissioner, has “shared with the co-producers that what they say about him [in the show] is not at all the way he would react” to a plot point, said Davis. “We have work to do in preparation for that,” she said."!<
Me? GOOOD. Let the fucker squirm! He had a great opportunity, and like the US Men's Hockey team, chose exceptionally poorly.
Bettman 510% shit the bed. Let him lie in it.