Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsOct 24 (Reuters) - The National Hockey League (NHL) has reversed its ban on players supporting social causes on their equipment, including the use of rainbow-coloured Pride tape on their sticks.
The NHL had instituted the ban via a league-wide memo sent to its 32 teams ahead of the 2023-24 regular season, drawing criticism from players, fans and a number of prominent organizations.
"After consultation with the NHL Players' Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season," the NHL said in a statement on Tuesday.
The decision by the NHL comes three days after Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott became the first player to defy the ban with colourful tape wrapped around the shaft of his stick during his team's home opener.
Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Aaron Doster, Travis Dermott, Frank Pingue, Clare Fallon
Organizations:
Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Nationwide Arena, National Hockey League, NHL, NHL Players ' Association, Coalition, Arizona Coyotes, Thomson
Locations:
Columbus , Ohio, USA, Toronto