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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 professional hockey players in a relationship with each other and has reportedly gained a massive 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/Imagn Images)
“It was very well done. I think it’s a wonderful story. The content, especially for young people, can be a little spicy. And so you have to balance that out in terms of how you embrace it,” Bettman said.
“I thought the story was very compelling and very funny because I could see where they chose 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 do away with themed jerseys worn on the ice. Previously, the teams wore jerseys during warm-ups that coincided with the theme night in the arena. That included Pride-themed jerseys that several players refused to wear in the past. But the same could be said about power memory, inheritance evenings or other reasons.
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 potential “distraction” and was steadfast in his stance again this week.
“It wasn’t about Pride jerseys or Pride tape. It was about the fact of bringing things into the game that maybe weren’t embraced by the players wearing the jerseys. If some players don’t embrace the cause, whatever it is, then you create a distraction that doesn’t serve the purpose,” Bettman said.
All 32 NHL teams are scheduled to hold a Pride night this season. The Seattle Kraken recently had players wear jerseys for photo shoots.
A general view of the score clock prior to 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 to its games, which Bettman called “legitimate concerns” in 2023.
