bob cartman -- bob cartman, freelance writer and head of carden communications.ann ludwig, national association of home builders come into mitigation manager and frank, a member of the national press club newsmakers committee, and a hockey referee for the past 25 years. [applause] >> national hockey league commissioner gary bettman and washing capitals owner ted leonsis are with us today to face off and speak about the state of the national hockey league, the upcoming winter classic which will be in d.c. for the first time. mr. bettman has been the nhl commissioner for two decades. under his leadership and nhl revenue has expanded from $400 million, to more than $3 billion. he led the expansion into nhl's national and global reach with six teams added during his tenure, bringing the total in the nhl to 30. just navigate the waters of three labor lockouts and include the cancellation of the 24-five season. mr. leonsis is ceo of monumental sports and entertainment which operates a washington capitals the washington wizards in the nba, washington mystics in the wnba