The NHL keeps shooting itself in the foot with its Public relations because they keep using half measures.
To paraphrase the great Brian Fantana from Ron Burgundy fame : “60% of the time Hockey is for Everyone all of the time”
The NHL is a profit-driven league looking to maximize its popularity while trying to seem like an ally. This is why they have the Hockey is for Everyone brand, to look like they are trying to be inclusive, which is difficult to do for one of the most expensive sports to play in the world.
#mnwild players, who were supposed to wear Pride jerseys tonight and did so last season, are not wearing them in warmups.
Told it was an organizational decision
The Wild have several other Pride initiatives they are doing>>>https://t.co/h45Wr5do5b
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 8, 2023
The Minnesota Wild were supposed to have a Pride night but backed out just hours before they were to go on. To be completely fair, the themed game programming that was to include custom-designed Wild “Pride” jerseys to be worn by the players during pre-game warmups was the only part missing from the night. Also, those jerseys were still signed and put up for auction to support the charities they were intended to support.
That being said, this is an unforced error. The NHL has not been handling this portfolio very well, and on the heels of the Chicago Blackhawks scandal, it leaves them with a black eye and opens the door to more bullshit political rhetoric. It’s just not a good look. If an NHL team backs out of a Military appreciation night only hours before and doesn’t wear warm-up jerseys that were supposed to go up for auction as “game-worn” – which increases their value BTW- for veteran charities, I know I’d be pissed off & see it as an insult to the military community. So the anger is to be expected.
“The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.”
– Winston Churchill
The NHL needs to pick a lane. Either get politically involved or don’t. Don’t half-ass it, because the consequence will be they alienate everyone.
