'I think it gives the NHL a black eye': Advocates irked by decision to scrap themed attire such as Pride jerseys
CTV
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's announcement, in which he said the jerseys created unwelcome distractions, comes in the middle of Pride month.
NHL teams will not wear special jerseys for pre-game warm-ups during themed game nights next season.
The call comes after a handful of players refused to wear rainbow-coloured Pride jerseys in the 2022-23 season.
In an interview with Sportsnet following a board of governors meeting Thursday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the jerseys created unwelcome distractions.
"We are not going to change jerseys for practice because that's just become more of a distraction from what the purpose of these nights really are," Bettman said.
"This way, we can focus on the game and (then), on the specialty nights, we can focus on the cause."
Bettman's announcement comes in the middle of Pride month.
Both the timing and message are insulting, says Kristopher Wells, MacEwan University's Canada research chair for the public understanding of sexual and gender minority youth.
