Gary Bettman's Clever Cheat at the Draft Lottery Has Been Revealed

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S. Harper
May 9, 2023 (11:32)

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One of the biggest accusations against the NHL is fans believing the League is rigging things for personal gain.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has been criticized for helping the bigger markets do well for bigger profits. Well, after the NHL Draft Lottery, many are starting to believe the Lottery was rigged for the Chicago Blackhawks to win.

It started with the mess up when Kevin Weekes appeared to announce the 3rd overall pick went to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The issue was NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly didn't show the card for the Blue Jackets yet.

What's even crazier is that Blackhawks Insider Darren Rovell shared on Twitter how the lottery win has already spiked ticket sales for the Blackhawks season ticket holders.

Bedard would obviously sell tickets no matter where he went, but the Chicago Blackhawks are a much bigger hockey market then Anaheim or Columbus. Bettman wasn't going to let a generational talent like Connor Bedard go to a small market team.

JUST IN: In the first hour after getting the No. 1 pick, which will be phenom Connor Bedard, the @NHLBlackhawks have sold $1.9 million in season tickets, says team president of business Jaime Faulkner.

At this pace, a season ticket cap is anticipated.

Wild for a team who had 3rd lowest capacity % in NHL this season.

No signs of slowing down in Chicago

The Blackhawks since getting the No. 1 pick, and the rights to what will surely be Connor Bedard, have sold more than 500 full season tickets worth over $2.5 million.

That's a pace of revenue of $28,000 a minute.