Company behind 'Pride Tape' responds to controversial NHL ban
Ahead of its Opening Night slate of games for the 2023-24 season, the NHL is taking a direction that counters its message that "hockey is for everyone."
Multiple outlets, including Outsports and The Athletic, reported that the league has issued new guidance on how its teams observe "special initiatives," which includes Military Appreciation Night, Black History Month and Hockey Fights Cancer. The most concerning "clarification" concerns Pride Night, a theme night in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
In a statement posted to social media by ESPN reporter Greg Wyshynski, the makers of Pride Tape expressed disappointment in the league for its decision as well as hopes that conversations about inclusion continue:
In Wyshynski's article on Tuesday, Pride Tape co-founder Jeff McLean said the company's relationship with the league will continue despite the ban, stating that "Pride Tape would not exist without the NHL."
The issue of Pride Nights grew last season as several players around the league chose not to warm up in Pride-themed sweaters. As more of them began to explain their stances — citing their religious beliefs as reasons for not adorning the rainbow colors — a few teams such as the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild attempted to get ahead of the criticism by doing away with Pride Night warmup sweaters altogether.
Those decisions, however, magnified the controversy, yet the NHL's current policies may have one-upped the individual teams in trying to solve a problem that, for the majority of players and fans, did not exist.
Stick tape, sticks, warmup jerseys, pucks and more have been auctioned off by the league and its teams for years in support of various "special initiatives," most especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
The about-face the league has taken on on-ice apparel certainly puts an end to those efforts, and perhaps even more shows of support for the community. While this may not be as drastic as a political donation to a candidate who has policies that go against that community's needs, it's an overt signal to supporters that the league is placating to those with particular beliefs.
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