Bettman said tolerance for different points of view is part of being "open, welcoming, and inclusive."
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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, during Saturday’s State of the Game press conference during All-Star Weekend, defended how the league and the two teams handled situations that arose during Pride party celebrations. Philadelphia Flyers defender Ivan Provorov did not attend the warm-up on January 18 because he refused to wear a Pride-themed jersey. Nine days later, the New York Rangers chose not to wear Pride jerseys or use Pride tape as part of their night out despite a prior announcement that they planned to do so. Gary Bettman said tolerance for different points of view is part of being “open, welcoming, and inclusive.”
“You know what our goals, values , and intentions are across the league, whether at league or club level,” he said. “But we also have to respect certain individual choices, and some people feel more comfortable than others participating in causes. And part of being diverse and welcoming is understanding those. that difference.” Tortorella supported this, while Rangers said in a statement: “Our organization respects the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud to bring attention to important local community organizations as part of another great Pride night. In line with our organization’s core values, we support everyone’s individual right to express their beliefs with respect.
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Bettman also revealed that the 2024 All-Star Weekend will take place in Toronto, addressing concerns about US TV ratings and the current knockout format, and providing an update on the sales process. of Senator Ottawa. The NHL trades the fun of sunny South Florida for the hype and buzz of the All-Star festivities at the so-called hub of the hockey universe in Toronto on February 2. 2-3, 2024. This is the first time the Maple Leafs have hosted since 2000.
“In Toronto, where hockey is so big, we may not have 80 degrees, but we have real intensity in one of the major hockey markets in the world,” Bettman said.
The federation originally planned to host the World Hockey League in February 2024, but the plan fell through due to complications caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Toronto hosted the 2016 World Cup and has all the infrastructure for All-Star Weekend to take place in a location popular with players.
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