POLLS     NHL     BLACKHAWKS

NHL Organization Faces Backlash Over Recent Pride Appreciation

PUBLICATION
Joshua Deeds
January 21, 2025  (6:07 PM)
SHARE THIS STORY

The Philadelphia Flyers announced "Pride Fest" today, as the community will band together from 5-7 to show support tonight in the South Food Hall.

But that didn't go over so well with NHL fans, as they have experienced a backlash on "X" regarding the harmless event.

The event will be held from 5-7 PM In the Wells Fargo Arena food hall, and the Flyers social media team hasn't stopped hearing about it.

In celebration and support of the LGBTQ+ community, we will host our annual Pride Game on Tuesday.

Join us for a pregame Pride Fest featuring local LGBTQ+ vendors, artists, and community groups to highlight and promote their businesses from 5-7PM.

The NHL has been holding Pride Events since 2013 and the entire purpose of the event has been to grow the game and be inclusive.

In 2013, the NHL debuted its Pride Night games. Arenas were decked out with rainbows in select matches as teams celebrated the LGBTQ+ community. The Florida Panthers were the first team to participate and many other teams followed suit.

Instead of addressing ongoing ills elsewhere, NHL fans have decided to attack their fellow fans, who may look or think differently.

It's quite convenient for them to use a community that looks different and may have an opposing viewpoint as a pressure valve to release their anger.

The league isn't growing, due to a multitude of factors, including the leadership from Gary Bettman, and the Board of Governors.

The fans insist on gatekeeping the sport in various ways.

The Flyers' Scott Laughton has stood with the community and has continually been a bridge for these fans, as a friend.

The ban sparked immediate backlash among players. Scott Laughton, alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers, voiced open opposition to the new rule.

Let's not forget last season, when there was outrage over pride jerseys and tape.

Are Flyers fans so sour over their current team's performance--currently 6th in the Metropolitan Division with a 21-20-6 record under John Tortorella--that they've transferred their rage onto others?

POLL
5 HOURS AGO   |   39 ANSWERS
NHL Organization Faces Backlash Over Recent Pride Appreciation

Do you think Philadelphia Flyers fans are overreacting?

HAWKSINSIDER.COM
COPYRIGHT @2025 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS  -  POLICIES