NHL ‘reverses course and LIFTS the ban on Pride Tape’ following player pushback and protest
- Players have already used Pride Tape to protest the ban imposed this month
- It was the second rule the league imposed to reduce visible LGBTQ+ support
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The NHL plans to change course and lift a ban it imposed just two weeks ago that prohibits players from using tape that is rainbow-colored.
Since the ban was announced, a number of players have spoken out against the rule and one player, Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott, has already flouted the league’s ban and used the tape in a game against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.
First reports from SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman revealed that the league, the NHL Players Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition have reached an agreement to allow athletes to use the tape if they wish. Later reporting from Pierre LeBrun of TSN confirmed the change via a league source.
The ban was ridiculed by players, the media and fans as being homophobic after the league decided to ban the use of ‘Special Initiative’ warm-up jerseys.
This ban was imposed after seven players out of the 1,058 players in the league – a minority of just 0.6 percent – publicly objected to wearing Pride jerseys during warm-ups.
THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT STORY. MORE TO FOLLOW.
The NHL will “lift a ban on rainbow-colored Pride Tape,” according to reports from Canada
Dermott used Pride Tape – which is banned this year – on his stick during a match on Saturday
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the warm-up jersey ban earlier this year