NHL Moves to ‘Keep the Focus on the Game’ – Players Will No Longer Wear Pride Jerseys During Warm-Ups

The National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman told Sportsnet that NHL players will no longer wear themed warmup jerseys next season, including Pride paraphernalia.

The NHL came under fire this season as players, like Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov,  boycotted  “Pride Night.”

Provorov, a devout Russian Orthodox Christian, refused to wear his team’s gay pride jersey saying he made a choice to stay true to himself and his faith, “I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices.  My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”

#Flyers Ivan Provorov on his Pride Night pregame boycott :
“My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.” pic.twitter.com/YSFKvkyEJC

— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) January 18, 2023

Provorov came under intense fire for his decision.

In January, NHL player Ivan Provorov refused to wear his team’s Pride jersey

He got smeared and attacked, but he did not back down

5 months later… the NHL is officially banning LGBTQ Pride jerseys

The lesson: Stand your ground pic.twitter.com/N1oLeA0mLU

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 23, 2023

At the time, the NHL issued a statement affirming that players have the right to choose which causes they support.

But, according to Bettman, it has all become too much of a distraction.

Bleacher Report shares:

“It’s 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 them continue to get the appropriate attention that they deserve and not be a distraction,” Bettman said.

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When Friedman expressed concern about the NHL’s decision being made during Pride Month, Bettman agreed the concern was “legitimate,” but he said Pride Nights have been “undermined by the distraction in terms of which teams, which players.”

“This way, we’re keeping the focus on the game, and on these specialty nights, we’re going to be focused on the cause,” Bettman said.

BREAKING: NHL announces teams will no longer wear LGBTQ Pride jerseys!!

SANITY IS COMING BACK TO SPORTS!!
pic.twitter.com/nz6hPugAmw

— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) June 23, 2023

Bettman did, however, confirm that teams will continue to host Pride Nights during the 2023-24 season.