[News] Hockey Diversity Alliance, NHL at odds

[Mr.Coffee]

All the NHL cares about is money.

That’s literally it. That is all it stands for.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

All the NHL cares about is money.

That’s literally it. That is all it stands for.

Well...it is a business.

The fact of the matter is that if we are looking to Corporations to fix our societal problems then we are well and truly misguided.

Much like you shouldnt worship Athletes as your heroes you also shouldnt look to Corporations to be your Moral Compass.

"The NHL doesnt care about Morals or Values!!"

Of COURSE they dont. They are a business. Their Business is to put a product on the ice and make money. If masquerading as morality soldiers means you'll throw 'em a few extra bucks they'll hit up the nearest 'Spirit Halloween' and dress up!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

It shows how much they really do care. The NHL is a 5.2 billion dollar industry. It is an industry that has had multiple racism incidents involving its players including one this past week. They primarily appeal to a white audience. They decide they will give 1/5,200,000 of their annual gross revenue to try to make hockey more diverse and more welcoming.

In the same week the NHLPA sends a huge congrats to Thomas Griess for a great career in the NHL and the great job he did representing Germany. Griess was banned from playing for Germany internationally by Germany for his weird obsession with Nazi Germany.

This is the NHL. These are their priorities. DUH DUH!!

Oh come on! You cant finish that without the Law & Order Finale!

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Well they still have his picture and name featured prominently on their website.

Perhaps Kane is trying to avoid the smoke for when he inevitably ends up in player safety's crosshairs.

Akim Aliu is 100% right in what he is saying about the NHL in his recent twitter rants, but you know the way it is worded is pissing the NHL off.

I was on that bus in 2022, and Kane and his image was removed from all the branding and marketing on it.

[bluejays]

The HDA issue is such a simple one when looking at it from both sides of the coin. The NHL doesn't want high school level education ex-players being their voice for their diversity arm. The HDA feels they need to be that voice given the NHLs lack of prioritizing diversity. I don't blame either party for feeling the way they do because they're simply two differing views on how to prioritize this thing. For the NHL their primary job is to earn money and most decisions in running the league is around that core responsibility to the owners. That's not to say diversity isn't as it I'm sure will play a large role in growing the game and revenues in time, but that's the long game. The HDA wants changes widespread NOW. They aren't wrong but how can they realistically think they can call the leagues' shots on this knowing the league runs things themselves. What they're saying is, our situation is more important, so allot your money our way. It's fine to want that, but corporate types don't air this stuff publicly, and that simply is these guys once again misunderstanding how white collar types work, in schmoozing, making pitches, and understanding what the overall goal of the corporation is and where they stand within that goal. It's not that complicated. To the outsider like the HDA, they're just calling a spade a spade and aren't interested in the politics of it all. Kinda reminds me of coming fresh out of school and knowing right from wrong then joining the corporate world and seeing how those things get muddled. It's incredibly frustrating for them as they are passionate about it but corporations like this work on their own timelines and have other priorities.


Kane on the other hand seems to want to now play on the NHLs side as he thinks his reputation is suddenly gold. What a guy.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by bluejays

The HDA issue is such a simple one when looking at it from both sides of the coin. The NHL doesn't want high school level education ex-players being their voice for their diversity arm. The HDA feels they need to be that voice given the NHLs lack of prioritizing diversity. I don't blame either party for feeling the way they do because they're simply two differing views on how to prioritize this thing. For the NHL their primary job is to earn money and most decisions in running the league is around that core responsibility to the owners. That's not to say diversity isn't as it I'm sure will play a large role in growing the game and revenues in time, but that's the long game. The HDA wants changes widespread NOW. They aren't wrong but how can they realistically think they can call the leagues' shots on this knowing the league runs things themselves. What they're saying is, our situation is more important, so allot your money our way. It's fine to want that, but corporate types don't air this stuff publicly, and that simply is these guys once again misunderstanding how white collar types work, in schmoozing, making pitches, and understanding what the overall goal of the corporation is and where they stand within that goal. It's not that complicated. To the outsider like the HDA, they're just calling a spade a spade and aren't interested in the politics of it all. Kinda reminds me of coming fresh out of school and knowing right from wrong then joining the corporate world and seeing how those things get muddled. It's incredibly frustrating for them as they are passionate about it but corporations like this work on their own timelines and have other priorities.


Kane on the other hand seems to want to now play on the NHLs side as he thinks his reputation is suddenly gold. What a guy.

Do you actually think that diverse populations do not have money now but in the future might thus it is part of the long game? There is a reason beyond just the cost of the sport that more kids play soccer than play hockey in Canada. Most people know that in general hockey has not historically given a #### about any of these type of issues. There is no evidence that is changing anytime soon.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Do you actually think that diverse populations do not have money now but in the future might thus it is part of the long game? There is a reason beyond just the cost of the sport that more kids play soccer than play hockey in Canada. Most people know that in general hockey has not historically given a #### about any of these type of issues. There is no evidence that is changing anytime soon.

I don't know. Simply put, I don't. And my opinion doesn't matter. The fact is the NHL is a private organization and budgets their money however they want. This isn't ever going to be priority #1 on their list. HDA is dedicated solely to this and it's their #1 priority day in and out. They may as well be a lobby group. It's up to the NHL to allot money according to what their strategic plan and timelines for that plan are and that clearly is too slow for the HDA.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by bluejays

I don't know. Simply put, I don't. And my opinion doesn't matter. The fact is the NHL is a private organization and budgets their money however they want. This isn't ever going to be priority #1 on their list. HDA is dedicated solely to this and it's their #1 priority day in and out. They may as well be a lobby group. It's up to the NHL to allot money according to what their strategic plan and timelines for that plan are and that clearly is too slow for the HDA.

Inclusion is not even priority #101 for the NHL. They merely pay it lip service. Even the meagre attempt at inclusion by having special jerseys to acknowledge diversity and inclusion was abandoned because a few people complained. This is a league where a player lost more money for dogsledding than Peters did for actual racist language. Anyone who watches the NHL knows where their priorities are.

[Bubba17]

Originally Posted by dino7c

He posts GOP nonsense on twitter he obviously isn't the right guy for the job

I guess the party of the KKK, the Dems, do so much POC, every 4 years when they need a vote they promise the world. And don't come back at me, you made it political.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Bubba17

I guess the party of the KKK, the Dems, do so much POC, every 4 years when they need a vote they promise the world. And don't come back at me, you made it political.

Lol. The crazy is strong with this one.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Inclusion is not even priority #101 for the NHL. They merely pay it lip service. Even the meagre attempt at inclusion by having special jerseys to acknowledge diversity and inclusion was abandoned because a few people complained. This is a league where a player lost more money for dogsledding than Peters did for actual racist language. Anyone who watches the NHL knows where their priorities are.

Inclusion is top of mind for so many organization because everyone is fighting for that extra percentage growth in a mature market (in many industries). You can be sure the NHL cares about it from a business standpoint, because it is dollars. But how they spend year to year and what their strategy is, is the question. It certainly doesn't look like they truly care about minorities when the league is 95% white, but at the same time it goes deeper and takes time to change. HDA wants it done now and fully prioritized, but the NHL has different timelines clearly.


I was laughing during the NHL draft when the sportsnet panel were practically falling over themselves at the start of the draft how diverse this years draft representation was. Then they further dug themselves in a hole and said there was a balance between Swedish, Finnish, Americans, Canadians, etc. Not exactly most people's definitions of diversity but it's a soundbite. Anyway, I do appreciate this isn't an overnight change and it needs to happen over time. Would be nice to see the NHLs goals and milestones though.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well...it is a business.

The fact of the matter is that if we are looking to Corporations to fix our societal problems then we are well and truly misguided.

Much like you shouldnt worship Athletes as your heroes you also shouldnt look to Corporations to be your Moral Compass.

"The NHL doesnt care about Morals or Values!!"

Of COURSE they dont. They are a business. Their Business is to put a product on the ice and make money. If masquerading as morality soldiers means you'll throw 'em a few extra bucks they'll hit up the nearest 'Spirit Halloween' and dress up!

ORLY?!

Ya, I get that. My opinion is that businesses need to be about more than just making money.

[GirlySports]

it's not even the money it's the commitment. Immgrant parents are not getting up at 5am to drive across the city for ice time. It's not part of the cutlure, it's just not there yet. School is still priority #1 and after that, more simpler sporting activities like soccer or the playground. Maybe another generation?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

ORLY?!

Ya, I get that. My opinion is that businesses need to be about more than just making money.

Why? Businesses aren't societies. They are single entities, created for a single purpose - to make a profit. It isn't - and shouldn't be - up to businesses to fix society. It is up to society to fix society.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Bubba17

I guess the party of the KKK, the Dems, do so much POC, every 4 years when they need a vote they promise the world. And don't come back at me, you made it political.

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Lol. The crazy is strong with this one.

I dunno, the part about the US Democratic party pretending to care about Poc every 4 years to grab votes and then largely doing jack #### in the form of meaningful action is pretty true. Just like the Republicans pretending they care about poor white communities and promising the world.

[SutterBrother]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

I dunno, the part about the US Democratic party pretending to care about Poc every 4 years to grab votes and then largely doing jack #### in the form of meaningful action is pretty true. Just like the Republicans pretending they care about poor white communities and promising the world.

Plaease take this to off topic Politics thread.