The NHL is in the best place it’s ever been. We’re not saying that; League Commissioner Gary Bettman is. The 72-year-old said the league has “never been better” while discussing the league’s financials and ratings. In fact, Bettman told reporters that he believes the National Hockey League will exceed the whopping $7 billion revenue milestone in the coming days.

The Commissioner gave credit to the league’s inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off for providing the boost. While many were skeptical before the tournament, Bettman explained the US-Canada games gave the league “record ratings” during broadcasts in both countries. Unfortunately, Bettman also had to address the uncomfortable prospect of this boom potentially slowing down due to tariff-related tensions.

This may especially put a dent in the progress Bettman and the NHL have made with their “great” media partners. “We want to be widely distributed, which we are. ESPN and Turner, TNT and ABC are doing a great job for us here, particularly over the last few years since we’ve re-engaged with them. Rogers and Canada are doing the same thing,” explained Gary Bettman.

The presiding commissioner explained the 25% tariffs that the POTUS imposed on Canada will “make it more difficult and more painful,” for all parties. The Commissioner also revealed that he recently met President Trump. However, they didn’t speak about the issue affecting the NHL, nor was he “privy,” to any discussions or plans the US may have regarding the issue.

Yet, the former NBA Senior Vice President believes that the tariff war will “cause some difficulties that are going to have to be adjusted for,” for the NHL to continue its upward momentum. With seven Canadian teams contributing 25% to the league’s total revenue, any downturn could cause serious trouble. Thankfully, Bettman seems determined to find a solution.

Gary Bettman doesn’t wish to see the NHL regress

As the longest-tenured commissioner in North American sports, the 72-year-old has pushed the league to achieve new heights. Bettman has helped the NHL expand in every way imaginable for the last three decades. Bettman has no intention of watching the graph go down. While the tariff situation is less than ideal, he remains hopeful.

“I’m hoping that this is a moment in time and both countries find a way to work through this,” Bettman said while discussing the topic. He’s also not ready to see his legacy tarnished. News about the NHL preparing for Gary Bettman’s retirement in the next couple of years surfaced in January. Yet, the Commissioner also explained that he wasn’t ready to retire.

“When you don’t have the energy and the passion, you have to think about it. The good news is I have the energy and I have the passion. I love what I do,” said Bettman. So it’s safe to say that the league’s Commissioner will approach solving any difficulties waiting for the National Hockey League around the corner with the same passion.

Yet despite his best efforts, there may be some turmoil regarding the stability of the league. The 4 Nations Face-Off saw fans booing the U.S. national anthem even before the tariffs came into effect, yet the rating went through the roof. How smoothly the league handles the next wave of turmoil remains to be seen.