Pride Tape and the NHL:Impact of collective action

On October 24, the National Hockey League overturned their ban on the use of Pride Tape, citing "players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season."

Being declared in June 2023, the NHL ban illicited anger from many in the league, including coaches, players, and fans. Despite the previous highlighting of a #HockeyIsForEveryone Pride campaign, this decision from the NHL sent a clear message to many in the LGBTQ+ community that they were not welcome. Backlash from Sports equity organization such as Athlete Ally, Outsports and Pride Tape itself, called on the League to overturn this decision immediately, yet it took four months and one week into the 2023-2024 season for the league to officially change paths.

This statement overturning the ban came just days after Arizona Coyote player Travis Dermott became the first NHL player to use Pride tape on his stick in defiance of the NHL's ban, an action that cannot be overlooked. Dermott was and is on a one-year contract this season, meaning there was no job security for him when he decided to wrap his stick in pride tape. As noted in discourse around Dermott's actions, he had a lot to lose. Dermott noted that his decision to wear the tape was much bigger than the sport of hockey. " All right, I'm doing this, and we're going to deal with the consequences and move forward, and hopefully I'll have a positive impact on some people that needed that positive impact.'" While being the first to wear the tape, Dermott is not the only NHL player to speak out. Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton was quoted saying "I'll use the tape — if I have to buy it myself, I will," NHL MVP Conor McDavid also voiced his dissapointment and disagreement with the leagues actions at the time.

Additionally, it was not only the actions on the ice that challenged the NHL, but collective action off the ice. Notably, as reported by ESPN, this decision had financial repercussions as sponsors began to speak out and Scotiabank went so far as to give away 5,000 rolls of Pride Tape at branches across Canada to fans and players "who want to show their support for Pride and making hockey more inclusive."As the hockey season kicked off, and fans began to enter the arenas again, many could be seen wearing pride jerseys, rainbow hats, and carrying signs. The message: LGBTQ+ fans matter and LGBTQ+ visibility in sport matters.

Pride Tape, the company that creates the tape Dermott used, said in response to the reversal “[we are] very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for all.”

Pride Tape in NHL via Forbes News