Bill Daly
NHL vice president, chief legal officer
Bettman's right-hand man.
He oversees all aspects of the game; is said
to be able to stroll into Bettman's office and the commissioner
listens to every word.
Will be part of negotiations on all major issues.
Even though he's a tough adversary, Daly is well respected by the NHLPA.
His people skills are one of his major assets.
Bob Batterman
NHL labour lawyer
An outside counsel to the NHL.
Has been around the league long time and has and lived through its various labour negotiations. Because of his experience, Batterman is considered a walking resource tool.
He has Bill Daly's ear and his advice is listened to by Gary Bettman.
David Zimmerman
NHL Vice President, general counsel
Bill Daly's chief lieutenant.
As the NHL's general counsel, he is involved
in all league matters.
According to those who work with him, Zimmerman may be quiet and unassuming, but has a razor-sharp legal mind.
Steve Solomon
Outside counsel, former NHL Executive Vice President and chief operating officer
Instrumental in getting the deal done that ended
the 1994 lockout.
He left the NHL in 1999 to go to a U.S. Spanish-language
television network, but has since returned in an unofficial outside-counsel
capacity.
He is very tight with Bettman and still takes care of certain things for him when the commissioner needs someone he really trusts. For example, Bettman brought him in to help resolve the ownership situation in Buffalo.
Arthur Levitt
Financial auditor
Commissioned by the NHL to audit the 30 clubs'
books and submit a report on the league's overall finances.
Was the longest-serving chairman of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission from 1993 to 2001, and
head of the American Stock Exchange from 1978 to 1989.
Currently a senior advisor for the Carlyle Group,
one of the world's largest private equity firms.
