Topline
The National Hockey League will reportedly bar players from using rainbow-colored Pride tape on their sticks as part of its new rules governing theme nights, a controversial decision that comes just months after it banned players from wearing specialty jerseys on themed nights—including Pride Night—calling it a “distraction.”
Players will reportedly no longer be allowed to use Pride-themed tape on their hockey sticks. (Photo … [+]
Key Facts
The NHL sent a memo to all 32 teams which offered guidelines for dress at all specialty events like the NHL’s Black History Night, Military Appreciation Night and Pride Night, and which stated on-ice uniforms and gear cannot be altered for themed nights.
The guidance prohibits players from using special tape, like rainbow-colored Pride tape, on their hockey sticks, Outsports reported.
The NHL encouraged players to “express themselves off the ice” according to the AP.
Several players—including Edmonton Oilers player Connor McDavid and New Jersey Devils player Jack Hughes—have used and vocally supported the Pride-themed tape on their sticks during games.
The decision prompted swift criticism from Pride Tape, an NHL partner and LGBTQ advocacy organization that sells Pride-themed sports merchandise, stating it is “extremely disappointed” in the NHL’s decision and urged the league and players to stand against homophobia.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman previously announced in June players would no longer be able to wear commemorative jerseys for specialty nights on the ice after several players refused to wear them, stating the league aims to “keep the focus on the game” and calling the media attention surrounding Pride jerseys a “distraction.”
Chief Critics
You Can Play, an organization that advocates against homophobia in sports, stated the NHL seems to be “stepping back from its longstanding commitment to inclusion” and accused the league of making decisions to “eradicate” LGBTQ visibility in hockey. Several players criticized the decision, including Calgary Flames player Rasmus Andersson, who said the decision “sucks” and called the cause “something that’s close to my heart and something I would love to support.” Edmonton Oilers player Zach Hyman called the decision “disappointing,” adding the NHL’s guidelines impact more than just the Pride tape and Pride Night jerseys, but the other causes the NHL supports. Pride Tape co-founder Kristopher Wells said the NHL’s guidance seems to contradict its own rules, which state a player can use tape of any color on their sticks. Canadian sportscaster and The Athletic columnist Pierre LeBrun called the NHL’s decision “ridiculous” and “so wrong.”
Key Background
The NHL’s rule changes regarding Pride jerseys and tape came months after numerous players declined to wear the rainbow-colored jerseys while their teams celebrated Pride Nights. Several of the players who declined to wear these jerseys cited religious beliefs, while some who are Russian-born cited Russian laws against homosexuality for opting out. Ivan Provorov, then a Philadelphia Flyers player, was the first to decline to wear the Pride jersey in January, citing his Russian Orthodox religion, but stated he respected everybody’s choices. Marc and Eric Staal of the Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer declined to wear the jersey in March, both citing religious beliefs. Other Russian players, Ilya Lyubushkin of the Buffalo Sabres, Denis Gurianov of the Montreal Canadiens and Andrei Kuzmenko of the Vancouver Canucks, also opted out of wearing the jerseys. The Chicago Blackhawks barred its players from wearing Pride jerseys in March, citing Russian laws that could threaten players and their families, despite disappointment from coach Luke Richardson and players.
Tangent
Other sports leagues have come under scrutiny from right-wing critics for supporting Pride, especially during Pride Month when many businesses faced criticism and boycotts for going “woke.” NASCAR and Major League Baseball sparked some online anger for making social media posts in support of the LGBTQ community. The Los Angeles Dodgers also angered Catholics by inviting the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence—a performance group that dresses in drag as nuns and raises money for LGBTQ causes—to the team’s Pride Night in June, leading the team to uninvite the Sisters, though they were later re-invited after outrage from LGBTQ advocates. Despite the controversies, all but one MLB team reportedly held a Pride Night this year. The NFL, which has previously sparked some anger for supporting the LGBTQ community, sold merchandise for Pride this year, sponsored Los Angeles Pride and maintains a partnership with Bud Light, the embattled beer brand facing boycotts for its “woke” marketing stint with trans TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney.
News Peg
The NHL’s 2023-2024 season will begin October 10 and will run until April 18.
Further Reading
The NHL has banned Pride Tape, creating its own ‘Don’t Say Gay’ policy (Outsports)
NHL bans use of Pride tape amid new guidance on special initiatives: Sources (The Athletic)
NHL Sparks Criticism For Barring Players From Wearing Pride Jerseys On Ice During Warmups (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/10/10/nhl-will-reportedly-ban-players-from-using-pride-tape-on-sticks-with-stricter-rules-for-theme-nights/