The NHL is facing criticism after announcing a ban on the use of Pride tape on hockey sticks during theme nights. The ban has sparked controversy among players and fans, with some expressing disappointment and frustration. Former NHL executive Brian Burke called the decision a setback, while NHL star Connor McDavid criticized the ban but acknowledged the arguments on both sides. Despite the ban, some players have indicated they will continue to show support for the LGBTQ+ community by using the tape. The NHL's decision comes after controversy last year when some players refused to participate in Pride celebrations. The ban on Pride tape has drawn attention to the league's approach to supporting social causes and has sparked a debate about freedom of expression in sports.
NHL can’t stop making a fool of itself when it comes to Pride https://t.co/2tgzOiL5Pf
“If players want to use the tape, they should use the tape…” In the @rayanddregs podcast, @rayferraro21 & @DarrenDreger discuss the NHL’s Pride Tape ban and wonder what the reaction would be if something punitive is applied to players who use it anyway: https://t.co/mkIOUywa4c
The NHL seems to be figuring out that their business is hockey and not Pride events. @ClayTravis https://t.co/sMiQTaZS7G
Bruins captain Brad Marchand said that he can see both sides of the NHL's ban on special event jerseys and tape. https://t.co/b8Hvop5Mh6
"That shouldn't stop us, like, 'Oh, we can't do anything.' There's still a lot we can do and a lot of ways we can make people feel welcome and included." Here's what Capitals Trevor van Riemsdyk & Darcy Kuemper had to say about the ban on Pride Tape: https://t.co/jtEhfjWJrz
The NHL banned pride tape and decided to stay away from politics all together 👏 Most fans just want to watch sports! https://t.co/mX6nqHlWW5
maybe a dumb question but did the nhl ban all specialty tape or just rainbow? because there are a lot of flags for a lot of queer communities
.@NHLFlyers' Laughton Takes Stance Against @NHL Regarding Pride Tape https://t.co/dBoNCcWD7b
From @TheAthletic: "As players, we’re going to continue to offer support and be allies." "You'll probably see me with the Pride tape on that night anyway." The pushback on the NHL’s ban on Pride tape is already underway. https://t.co/5pxDe0prs0
NHL star Connor McDavid criticizes NHL banning pride-themed stick tape, Bruins captain sees 'both sides' https://t.co/pLflg47UnV
SLAPSHOT: NHL star shares how he really feels after league bans Pride-themed tape and jerseys. https://t.co/EzueNRMCMy https://t.co/zfUGcQHc0q
Despite the league's ban on rainbow-colored tape, some NHLers have plans to use it anyway. https://t.co/8iWiApdwvT
Former NHL executive Brian Burke blasted league’s decision to ban Pride tape https://t.co/nU0Haxx55S
The makers of Pride Tape - and the vocal minority - are upset about the NHL's ban on the rainbow product and Pride-themed jerseys. @itismarkharris explains why the NHL deserves credit for its decision: https://t.co/S0RxSvU7ri
.@NHLFlyers' Scott Laughton Takes Stance Against #NHL Regarding Pride Tape https://t.co/dBoNCcWD7b
Spoke with #NJDevils star Jack Hughes about the NHL's Pride Tape ban. "I don’t know, it might be a little much to make a fine for guys using pride tape because you never know what’s happening in someone’s family or in terms of support.” https://t.co/9ZfC9XGMVR
It didn't have to be like this. Allowing individual players to express support for these causes -- Pride, military, Hockey Fights Cancer -- on the ice would have done *exactly* what the NHL claims it wants to do, which is put the focus on these causes. More on THE DROP tomorrow. https://t.co/1RQcSua05I
'Pride Tape' makers express disappointment in NHL's ban of rainbow-colored stick tape https://t.co/rf2Cg25kLN
Talked w/ #mnwild's Jon Merrill on Pride stick tape ban. He's always been a supporter of LGBTQ+ community. "If anyone does it, what is the league going to do? Take me off the ice, give me a penalty? Then you look bad as a league. I don’t know. It’s upsetting. Just disappointing."
"As players, we’re going to continue to offer support and be allies." "You'll probably see me with the Pride tape on that night anyway." The pushback on the NHL’s ban on Pride tape is already underway, writes @ian_mendes ⤵️
New reports indicate that multiple NHL players plan to defy the NHL's recent ban on Pride Tape and will use it anyway while also recognizing different specialty nights. MORE: https://t.co/HaFr44NrvS
The NHL has officially banned rainbow-colored tape from being used on hockey sticks. https://t.co/uPMJnmeCra
The usually outspoken #NHLBruins captain Brad Marchand took a guarded approach when discussing the NHL's ban on Pride tape. More at @BOSHockeyNow: https://t.co/uqYwg23351
The NHL may be banning the use of Pride Tape during Pride Nights. But Scott Laughton expects he'll still use it regardless. "I’ll use the tape – if I have to buy it myself, I will. Go about it that way," he said. My story:⬇️ https://t.co/CMBNJIFUJr
Brad Marchand on the NHL banning Pride tape: "To be pushed to do something you don't want to do or to be banned from [using] something you believe in, there's gotta be a line where we can all have our beliefs & support each other. It's unfortunate we can't find common ground"
Mad respect to all the players putting $ where there mouths are when it comes to pride tape. As I've said, various players/coaches have expressed to me one on one that LGBTQ+ rights are an issue near and dear to them, but hockey culture makes it hard to speak up. Things changing
Seeing a lot of NHL players saying they're going to break ranks and use Pride Tape despite the ban. Luckily, the NHL has shown that it values the personal beliefs of individual players more than any sort of team-mandated rule regarding theme nights, so they should be fine...
#NHLBruins winger Brad Marchand expressed frustration with the NHL’s ban on Pride tape but said he will not go against the ban and wear it anyways. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy, a staunch advocate of the Pride community, respectfully declined comment until he “can do more research”… https://t.co/yn1N0v4Na5
Longtime NHL executive Brian Burke says the league's decision to ban on-ice support for community causes, which includes the use of rainbow-coloured stick tape on Pride nights, is a "surprising and serious setback." https://t.co/MDkcqVxhJH
Last year, some NHL players were criticized for not participating in Pride initiatives. This year no players are allowed to do so. NFL and NBA fans will be familiar with uniform rules stories like this over the years... NHL Prohibits Use of Rainbow-Colored Pride Tape on Players'… https://t.co/c2vUJfPeKj
The makers of Pride Tape - and the vocal minority - are upset about the NHL's ban on the rainbow product and Pride-themed jerseys. In reality, the NHL deserves credit for acknowledging that the majority of its fans want hockey to be about hockey. https://t.co/S0RxSvTzBK
NHL teams will still be doing LBGTQIA+ theme nights; they just won't be letting players wear jerseys or rainbow stick tape. This clearly reflects the will of the players, which the league was happy to override for years. https://t.co/Wd3erVcEGr
The NHL announced that players will no longer be allowed to wrap their sticks with rainbow-colored tape before hitting the ice on Pride nights READ: https://t.co/Rv2ZwWyb2D https://t.co/Rv2ZwWyb2D
NHL bans use of Pride Tape on ice in updated guidance for theme nights https://t.co/s8227XkETL
NHL bans Pride stick tape months after getting rid of Pride jerseys https://t.co/NKmL7MCBMi
Last year, there was controversy when some NHL players refused to participate in Pride celebrations. Now, the NHL has issued a sweeping *ban* on any kind of theme gear, including LGBT. How much evidence do we need something has changed? https://t.co/ym3XUsG2PY
Anthony Duclair finds the NHL's ban of Pride jerseys & tape -- and all other on-ice specialty night expressions -- "puzzling": "That's why the NBA, NFL, leagues like that, they're always growing year after year, always getting new fans, new viewership." https://t.co/M1obg6rJvn
NHL bans Pride tape in effort to avoid putting players in "difficult position" READ: https://t.co/Q7wjSPg0xE https://t.co/Q7wjSPg0xE
"It sucks..." Rasmus Andersson joined @salimvalji to explain why he doesn't agree with the NHL's decision to ban Pride tape and says it's a topic that's close to his heart and he will find new ways to support the community: https://t.co/LZEXl7bltf
NHL Will Reportedly Ban Players From Using Pride Tape On Sticks With Stricter Rules For Theme Nights https://t.co/NE91rAJziQ https://t.co/MX6xScgu1h
Rasmus Andersson, who has spoken out in support of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in the past, today on the NHL's ban of pride tape at games/warmups/practices: "It sucks. It’s something that’s close to my heart and something I would love to support, but it is what it is."
The same people who are applauding the NHL for taking away freedom of speech/expression from the players who chose to wear the Pride tape are the same ones who were all for Ivan Provorov and all the others in the NHL refusing to wear Pride jerseys expressing their freedom of… https://t.co/D17Acuf7zb https://t.co/2f0de2MxIC
Touched base briefly today with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly about the recent Pride tape ban. Daly: "The Players’ Association was consulted on the specifics of our new policy, and indicated its support for the memo that was sent out last week"
‘Not the way forward’: NHL’s updated guidance includes ban on Pride tape https://t.co/kCWgKtw9N6
NEWS: NHL players won’t be allowed to put Pride-themed tape on their sticks while on the ice this season as part of a decision made by the board of governors in June, a source confirmed to The Athletic. More details ⤵️
The NHL sent a memo to teams last week clarifying what players can and cannot do as part of theme celebrations this season, including a ban on the use of rainbow-colored stick tape for the Pride nights: https://t.co/ELkY5sV619
Leafs' Morgan Rielly: 'I wish players had the right to do more' amid Pride tape ban. https://t.co/erywFS1EBc https://t.co/7qBy6nqvh5
NHL issues updated theme night guidance, which includes a ban on players using Pride tape on the ice (from @AP) https://t.co/kRFLcnAP2a
“NHL bans Pride tape on ice as part of updated theme-night guidelines” https://t.co/hqh0aWSBXs