With a Salary Near $8 Million a Year, Is NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Overpaid?

According to a report by the Sports Business Journal, Gary Bettman earned nearly $8 million during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011. That's an increase from the $7.5 million he made in the previous year and more than double the $3.7 million he made during the lockout of 2004-05. 

The report indicates that his base salary for 2010-11 was just over $6 million. However, other compensation included over $1.7 million, along with $155,782 in deferred compensation and $25,868 in benefits. That brings his total salary to over $7.98 million, this according to the league's latest tax filing. 

Bettman became commissioner of the NHL in 1993 after spending 12 years as a senior executive of the NBA.

During Bettman's tenure as commissioner, there have been two lockouts, and a number of teams have been added to the league. Many of these expansion teams are located in non-traditional hockey markets in the southern United States. Some have prospered, while others (like the Atlanta Thrashers) have not. 

The league has also seen an increase in revenue. Since the 2004-05 lockout, revenue has increased from $2.1 billion to $3.2 billion in 2011-12. However, that is still a small number in comparison to other professional sports leagues such as the NFL and MLB.

So how does Bettman's salary compare to other commissioners?

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was making about $10 million per year, but by the end of his new five-year contract, that number will double to $20 million.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig made $18.35 million in 2007, the last time his salary was made public. His contract has been renewed twice since, and many believe he is now making over $20 million. 

NBA commissioner David Stern's salary has never been made known to the public.

With all this in mind, is Bettman's salary too high? Too low? Or just right?

You be the judge.