Teams take issue with memo sent by league about Pride Nights

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Sam Hutch
October 8, 2023 (9:28)

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This off-season it was announced that the National Hockey League would stop virtually all theme nights in order to not put players in awkward positions based on personal beliefs. Now some teams are taking issue with a recent memo that was sent out to teams.

Now according to Ryan S. Clark of ESPN, some teams are left confused by the wording of the memo, even calling it restrictive, take a look.

NEWS: The NHL sent an updated memo to teams Thursday clarifying what they can do this season with special initiatives such as Pride Night.

A source told ESPN that several teams sought clarity as the first memo was deemed to be confusing and restrictive.

The memo is as follows:

More than eight teams, the source said, raised
concerns about part of the memo that stated, "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)

No wonder this is making teams very confused, the wording itself doesn't make any sense and the NHL is saying that players can't stand by causes they believe in on a personal level, whatever that may be.

The NHL should clarify this statement because as it stands, this doesn't make them look good.