NHL takes a step back in diversity initiative with pride tape ban

If hockey is for everyone, the NHL has an odd way of showing it.

Days after the league clarified an earlier memo that teams believed was "restrictive" to diversity causes, including Pride Night, Outsports reported the NHL has banned players from using rainbow-colored Pride Tape during warmups, games and practices.

Per ESPN, a memo titled "Game and Practice-Related Special Initiatives" raised questions among "more than eight teams" regarding one particular section:

"Players shall not be put in the position of having to demonstrate (or where they may be appearing to demonstrate) personal support for any Special Initiatives. A factor that may be considered in this regard includes, for example, whether a Player (or Players) is required to be in close proximity to any groups or individuals visibly or otherwise clearly associated with such Special Initiative(s)."

According to ESPN, "The intended purpose of the initial memo ... was to inform teams that they cannot wear any specialty sweaters during a game, in warmups or at an official practice."

The league's decision to double down and ban Pride Tape is a massive step backward for diversity within the NHL.

Not only does the league lag behind the other "Big Four" sports in terms of popularity, a 2022 report revealed, "93.14 percent of the NHL's workforce identifies as straight or heterosexual, 1.52 percent as bisexual, 1.12 percent as gay and 0.81 percent as lesbian." (h/t ESPN)

It's one thing for the league to cave and allow players to opt out of a league-wide initiative, but it's another to ban Pride imagery altogether.

It reinforces the misguided notion that diversity and human rights are political issues when they aren't. There's nothing controversial about supporting gay rights, but the NHL has decided to make it an issue by telling its players the league isn't a safe space to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. 

The league has time to come to its senses and walk back its absurd stance on Pride Tape, not that anyone should hold their breath.