Thursday December 7, 2023

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
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

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
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Going Bananas: Barnstorming Baseball Team Proves Too Big For MLB Parks

Team draws more than 2 million entries into 2024 ticket lottery.

NHL Plans To Stage 2024 Draft At $2.3B Vegas Sphere

League becomes first sports entity to stage an event entire at venue.
NHL-Gary-Bettman

NHL's Projected Record Salary Cap Reflects Revenue Surge (and Resilience)

Increased media revenue, rising attendance fuel post-pandemic recovery.
Apr 13, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien (38) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Mullett Arena.

Coyotes Closing in on Arena Site in Move Toward Long-desired Stability

NHL team reportedly nearing long-awaited location decision for new venue.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Why the NBA May Have Made Billions With Midseason Tournament

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
FanDuel
Multiple Locations
Adidas
Multiple Locations
Creative Artists Agency
Multiple Locations
Shaquille O'Neal
exclusive
December 1, 2023

A.I. Shaq? Authentic Files Trademarks Hinting at Virtual Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal and licensing group claim “ASK SHAQ” and “SHAQ A.I.”
December 2, 2023

Ohtani's Future Deal Takes Center Stage As Winter Meetings Kick Off

The two-way phenom is expected to sign the largest-ever player contract in U.S. team sports.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
November 30, 2023

Tracking Devices and Bags of Cash: A Soccer Scandal in Turkey

Former Atletico Madrid player Arda Turan is involved in the scandal.
November 30, 2023

Ronaldo Sued For $1B In Latest Fallout From Athlete Crypto Deals

Soccer superstar latest to be hit in legal fallout from crypto decline.
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands celebrates his victory of the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 30, 2023

The 10 Highest-Paid Formula 1 Drivers For 2023

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen tops the list with $70 million.
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi smiles as he walks on the field against the New York Red Bulls during the second half at Red Bull Arena.
November 16, 2023

The Results of Messi Mania Are In

A million people per match tuned in for Messi and Inter Miami.