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December 05, 2005
Vince McMahon Sets The Standard In Drug Testing?
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has decided to take WADA head Dick Pound to task over his comments concerning the NHL and steroid abuse. It looks like Pound is ready for a fight: "This is classic," Pound said by phone. "The NHL refuses to allow its players to be tested, but I have conclusive information from club doctors, coaches, trainers and some players. Meanwhile, back on the pro wrestling circuit: Following the death of one of pro wrestling's biggest stars, World Wrestling Entertainment says it is starting random drug testing to detect illicit drugs, steroids and prescription drug abuse among its performers. Bottom line: It looks as if the WWE has a more rigorous testing program than professional hockey. And whether steroid abuse is a problem in the NHL or not (and I have no way of knowing if it is), I think it's safe to say that this isn't good for the league optically. I don't envy the bind that Bettman and the rest of the folks at NHL HQ are in these days on this issue. On the one hand, they don't want to get rolled up in a Congressionally-mandated drug testing program that would be administered by Pound and the WADA. On the other hand, Vince McMahon, for all the abuse he takes, is a very savvy operator. He knows which way the wind is blowing on this issue, and it seems as if he's decided it's better to fall in line on than to wait for Congress to decide things for him.
Eric
06:50 AM
Trackback PingsTrackBack URL for this entry: CommentsI don't understand why Bettman hasn't just come out and said "we basically have the same testing/penalties as MLB, starting in January." If MLB's policy is good enough now why isn't the NHL's? And how can Pound get away with saying ther NHL won't let its players be tested when they're going to be tested at least twice a season? Posted by:
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