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HBO Max’s “Heated Rivalry” has taken the world by storm, including National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman.
The show revolves around two closeted professional hockey players who are in a relationship with each other and have supposedly gained a large following.
Bettman told reporters that he “binged” all six episodes of the miniseries “in one night.”
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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media before the game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. (Marc DesRosiers/Image Images)
“It was very well done. I think it’s a wonderful story. The content, especially for young people, can be a little spicy. So you have to balance that in terms of how you take it,” Bettman said.
“I thought the story was very compelling and very funny, because I could see where they were criticizing things that we had in the past, whether it was (the Olympics) in Sochi or the All-Star Game in Tampa. It was very well done.”
The league sparked controversy in 2023 when it decided to eliminate the use of themed jerseys on the ice. Previously, teams wore jerseys during warmups that coincided with theme night at the arena. That included Pride-themed jerseys, which several players have refused to wear in the past. But the same could be said for cancer commemorations, heritage nights, or other causes.
Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams attend the premiere of “Heated Rivalry” at TIFF Lightbox on November 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Harold Feng/Getty Images)
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At the time, Bettman cited a possible “distraction” and stood by his stance again this week.
“It wasn’t about Pride jerseys or Pride tape. It was about bringing things into the game that might not be accepted by the players wearing the jerseys. If some players don’t embrace the cause, whatever it may be, then it creates a distraction that doesn’t serve the purpose,” Bettman said.
All 32 NHL teams are scheduled to hold a Pride night this season. Recently, the Seattle Kraken had players wear jerseys for photos.
A general view of the scoreboard before the annual Celebrating Pride game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Place on January 18, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
The league has been criticized for not welcoming the LGBTQ community at its games, which Bettman called “legitimate concerns” in 2023.
