In an unexpected and bold move, former President Donald Trump has threatened to take legal action against NFL President Gary Bettman and all National Hockey League (NHL) coaches if they do not comply with his demand to sell the entire NHL to him. The surprising development has left both sports fans and industry experts scratching their heads, as Trump’s proposed takeover of the NHL could reshape the landscape of professional hockey and the sports industry at large.
Trump, who has made no secret of his interest in sports business ventures over the years, made his position clear in a series of public statements that sent shockwaves through both the NHL and NFL. In a fiery press conference earlier this week, Trump declared, “If Gary Bettman and every NHL coach don’t sell me the NHL, I will sue them. I’m the one who can take this league to the next level. Everyone knows that.”
Trump’s remarks have raised several questions, not only about his intentions but also about the feasibility of his claims. The former president has long been a controversial figure in the sports world, having briefly owned the New Jersey Generals in the United States Football League (USFL) during the 1980s. However, his involvement in professional sports has been mostly limited since then.
Bettman, who has served as NHL commissioner since 1993, was caught off guard by Trump’s comments. Sources close to the NHL have indicated that the league is considering how best to respond to Trump’s legal threats, with some speculating that the situation could escalate into a drawn-out legal battle. “This is an unprecedented move,” said a former NHL executive. “Trump has always been known for his larger-than-life personality, but this is beyond anything we’ve seen in professional sports.”
The proposal has also raised eyebrows among NHL coaches, many of whom have been with their teams for years and are not eager to give up their roles. Coaches from teams across the league have expressed disbelief at the idea of handing over control of their sport to a single owner, particularly one with no deep connection to hockey.
While Trump has yet to provide detailed plans on how he would manage the NHL or what he hopes to achieve through this acquisition, his move is likely to create a media frenzy in the coming days. Legal experts are already debating whether such a lawsuit could hold any weight, given the complexities of ownership rights in professional sports.
For now, the sports world waits to see how this dramatic chapter in the world of professional sports will unfold.