• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Ivan Provorov’s Pride Night Boycott Sparks Renewed LGBTQ Discussion

  • The Flyers defenseman refused to wear a rainbow-accented warmup uniform.
  • “I think it has the chance to refocus things in the right way,” says You Can Play co-founder Brian Kitts.
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Before the Philadelphia Flyers’ home game against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night, players wore rainbow-accented uniforms for warmups as part of the team’s LGBTQ+ Pride Night — a custom that has become commonplace in the NHL.

However, defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to wear the jersey and did not join warmups, telling the media after the game that he wanted to “stay true to myself and my religion.” He identified as Russian Orthodox.

“I respect everyone, I respect everybody’s choices,” he said.

Statements from the NHL and Flyers supported Provorov’s decision to choose, while still maintaining the organizations’ support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Flyers head coach John Tortorella did not scratch Provorov from the lineup for taking the stand, citing the same sentiments of staying true to self and religion.

In 2016, in response to Colin Kaepernick’s protest, Tortorella famously said that he would bench any American player who did not stand for the national anthem — but has since softened on that stance.

USMNT Protests Qatar’s Anti-LGBTQ Laws With Rainbow Crest

The team facility had a USA crest that has rainbow stripes.
November 14, 2022

The incident with Provorov sparked intense backlash online — but one of NHL’s official LGBTQ+ advocacy partners is preaching patience and understanding in this case.

“I would encourage a little bit of grace, especially when reading his own statement,” You Can Play co-founder Brian Kitts told Front Office Sports. “He said that he respects everybody and he might. So I don’t know that he’s a hateful guy.”

Kitts adds that when You Can Play works with athletes who have been caught on camera using slurs, for example, none of the players are deeply homophobic, but rather, were usually socialized to use such words from a young age.

In Kitts’ mind, the fact that there has been such an uproar in response to Provorov is actually a sign of serious headway.

“We’ve been doing this for 10 years now, and 10 years ago, we barely would’ve been having this conversation at all,” says Kitts. “And now we’re to the point where a Pride Night is expected and your team is expected to show up.

“I think that’s why the response [from the NHL and Flyers] is measured, because there’s been tremendous progress.”

NHL Extends Deal With SiriusXM Through 2028-2029 Season

The NHL has extended its North American deal with SiriusXM.
January 17, 2023

The Flyers have been of the league’s leading LGBTQ+ voices, and two of Provorov’s Philadelphia teammates — James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton — have been huge supporters of YCP, with the former recording the organization’s very first athlete support video.

The rainbow warmup jerseys were auctioned off to support Flyers Charities, which support growing the game in diverse communities.

You Can Play COO Kurt Weaver told ESPN that, “Visibility and proximity is what breeds understanding and inclusion, and those things were negatively impacted by this. It’s disappointing to see that’s the outcome from this.”

All the same, while there are still those in the NHL like Provorov who aren’t ready to embrace the LGBTQ+ community, not all is lost.

“I think it has the chance to refocus things in the right way,” Kitts says.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.
Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Nicholas DeGraves (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston University Terriers during the third period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State decision signals hockey’s rising stars now prefer college.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Apr 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Katie Taylor (left) and Amanda Serrano (right) pose in front of Jake Paul during a press conference ahead of their boxing match at Madison Square Garden.

Serrano vs. Taylor 3 Set to Be Biggest Women’s Boxing Match in..

“I’m just sick of the whining and complaining from your team.”
July 10, 2025

Jalen Williams Signs Max Deal As Thunder Commit $822M to 3 Stars

Oklahoma City also extended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
Jul 10, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of their game at Thomas & Mack Center.
July 11, 2025

Cooper Flagg Makes Mavericks, New Balance Debut in Win Over Bronny

Thursday marked Flagg’s first game donning New Balance shoes.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport.
July 10, 2025

Andy Roddick Slams Billionaire Bill Ackman’s Pro Tennis Gambit

“This was the biggest joke I’ve ever watched in professional tennis.”
July 10, 2025

Suns All In on Booker, Who Signs Record Extension Amidst Chaos

The Suns changed their head coach for the fourth time in four years.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Amanda Anisimova of the United States celebrates winning her match against Aryna Sabalenka on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Amanda Anisimova Stuns Sabalenka to Reach Wimbledon Final, Clinches $2M

The American’s Wimbledon run will continue with her first major final.
Apr 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) defends Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) during the second half at United Center.
July 9, 2025

Why Are the NBA’s Biggest Restricted Free Agents Still Unsigned?

Draymond Green said the new CBA is responsible for ending free agency.