NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently announced a decision aimed at curbing the perceived distractions caused by political statements during games. As reported by ESPN, the league will discontinue the practice of teams wearing specialty sweaters, including those celebrating LGBTQ Pride, during warmups. According to Bettman, this change was deemed necessary as the focus was shifting away from the game itself.
During the previous season, several players had declined to don the LGBTQ-themed sweaters, with reasons ranging from religious beliefs to concerns about potential backlash from their home countries, notably Russia. In response to these players’ concerns, Bettman proposed that clubs refrain from changing their jerseys in warmups to avoid distractions. In an interview with Sportsnet after meeting with the NHL board of governors, Bettman emphasized the importance of redirecting attention back to the various groups and causes honored by the teams.
The board of governors reportedly supported Bettman’s decision to end the wearing of specialty sweaters during warmups. However, the league clarified that teams could still hold politically-focused specialty nights, such as Pride Night, Black History Night, and Military Appreciation Night. Additionally, teams would continue to produce specialty sweaters for different causes and charities, making them available for sale to fans. Bettman emphasized that the change solely pertained to the attire worn on the ice.
Notably, seven players refused to participate in Pride Night celebrations throughout the season. These players included brothers Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers, James Reimer of the San Jose Sharks, and Ivan Provorov of the Philadelphia Flyers, who cited their Christian faith as their reason. Furthermore, Russian players Ilya Lyubushkin, Denis Gurianov, and Andrei Kuzmenko also expressed their reluctance to wear the Pride-themed sweaters.
The decisions of the Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks to opt out of wearing the Pride warmup sweaters were primarily driven by security concerns for their Russian players. This move disappointed a group advocating for LGBTQ inclusivity within the NHL, known as You Can Play. The organization expressed its dissatisfaction with the league’s decision, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to foster diversity and inclusiveness.
Bettman’s recent announcement aligns with his earlier comments made during an interview with CTV News. He acknowledged the need to evaluate the issue after some players chose not to wear the Pride-themed sweaters during warmups, recognizing their discomfort in endorsing political statements through their uniforms. He also acknowledged the potential distraction caused by this controversy, emphasizing the importance of respecting players’ personal decisions.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has announced that pride jerseys have become a distraction and that NHL teams will no longer be wearing pride jerseys during warmups next season.
Players may opt to sport the jerseys off ice.
This announcement comes during pride month 👀 pic.twitter.com/8hPw9gKdg4— Wake Awake (@WakeAwake1) June 22, 2023
