NHL makes changes to Pride night celebrations

After controversy regarding Pride nights this season, the NHL made a change to future "specialty nights" during Thursday's Board of Governors meetings. 

Speaking with Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman revealed that players will no longer don pre-game jerseys for Pride nights, or any other celebration for that matter. However, some could see the reasoning behind the NHL's transition as troubling, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. 

"It's become a distraction and taking away from the fact that all of our clubs, in some form or another, host nights in honor of various groups or causes, and we'd rather those continue to get the appropriate amount of attention they deserve and not be a distraction," Bettman said. 

Last season, several players and the Chicago Blackhawks as a whole elected not to wear Pride jerseys during pre-game warmups. Many cited that, due to their religious beliefs, they were endorsing a lifestyle against their faith by participating. 

The NHL now believes Pride nights are taking too much of the spotlight away from other causes teams want to celebrate. And in response to a minor uproar from select players and groups, they've taken something away from everyone in the name of equality. 

Bettman confirmed that Pride nights and other special nights would continue throughout the NHL, adding that the "only difference" will be the lack of player participation on the ice. Of course, the NHL doesn't plan on taking a financial hit regarding their decision either, as Pride jerseys will still be available for sale.