For the third-straight year, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman enjoyed a pay raise last year as the NHL's head honcho.

SportsBusiness Journal reported that recent tax filings by the league showed Bettman made a shade more than $7.5 million (salary plus benefits) in the 2009-10 season. That breaks down to a base salary of $5.79 million, deferred compensation of $877,597, other compensation of $826,369 and benefits that came out to $25,988.

Ever wonder how the man seems to let moments like this video just roll off? That kind of money has to help.

There are no shortage of people who feel as if every penny Bettman earns above minimum wage is too much. It sure sounds as if the entire arena in Vancouver joined in for the chorus of boos on Bettman after the Canucks lost.

Bettman's salary has doubled since the lockout. While NHL revenue has gone up since then as well (from $2.1 billion to $2.9 billion), it doesn't match the increase Bettman has enjoyed. But for as much heat as Bettman takes -- more than any of the other major commissioners, proportionately -- he has overseen growth in recent seasons.

Whether it has been by any of his doing is a matter of debate, but what's not is the NHL's television numbers continue to rise, including record ratings for the Stanley Cup Finals this year.

Joining Bettman in the millionaire's club is Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly ($2.03 million), Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell ($1.5 million), Chief Financial Officer John Collins ($1.12 million) and Chief Operating Officer John Collins, ($1.19 million).

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