FORT LAUDERDALE - Gary Bettman said Tuesday he isn't worried he might become the first commissioner of a pro sport to lose a season to a labor dispute.
The focus, he said, is a new economic system.
"The important priority is fixing this game so that we have 30 healthy, competitive franchises with affordable ticket prices," Bettman said Tuesday while meeting with Panthers staff, owner Alan Cohen and season-ticket holders. "Everything else is secondary."
Owners say they have lost millions because 75 percent of revenues go to player salaries.
"If the union remains intransigent and unwilling, then it's possible we will look back at some point and conclude the season has slipped away," he said. "But the season slipping away or not isn't the important issue. The important issue is getting the right deal to fix our problems."
LOCKOUT: DAY 62
GAMES LOST TUESDAY: 6.
TOTAL GAMES MISSED: 224.
NEXT NEGOTIATING SESSION: None planned.
WHAT THE LIGHTNING WOULD BE DOING: Preparing for Thursday's game at Boston.
