The Nashville Predators hosted their 11th annual Pride Night at Bridgestone Arena during their game against the New Jersey Devils on March 26, an event which sparked intense reaction on social media.
Pride Night is one of many themed game nights hosted by the Predators, including Hockey Fights Cancer, Star Wars Night, Military Week, and Tennessee Night. But several outspoken political pundits – including Clay Travis, Dana Loesch, Jack Posobiec and Ben Shapiro’s The Daily Wire − were unhappy with Pride Night’s association with the LGBTQ+ community.
The event included a number of Pride-themed events before and during the game, which included a concert on the Bridgestone Arena plaza featuring Alanna Royale. Promotions by locally supported LGBTQ+ organizations were scattered throughout the concourse during the game.
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After several posts by the team on X and Facebook were met with mockery and disapproval, the team, in a statement to The Tennessean on March 27, confirmed their commitment to hosting themed nights like Pride Night:
“Hockey has always been at its best when it brings people together—across backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. Our goal is, and has always been, to ensure that every person who walks through our doors feels welcome, respected, and able to enjoy the game we all love.
“We understand that initiatives like Pride Night, Faith and Family night, Recovery Night, Women of Smashville Night, Ford Military Week and celebrations for Black History, API and others can be meaningful and affirming for many, while others may see them differently,” the statement said. “We respect that our fan base is diverse not only in identity, but in viewpoint. That diversity is part of what makes our community strong.
“We believe that hockey is for everyone. As an organization, we remain committed to fostering an environment rooted in respect, inclusion, and a shared passion for hockey. We will continue listening to our fans, supporting one another, and focusing on what unites us: the energy of the game, the spirit of competition, and the shared connection that we have in our team and our city.”
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) shoots into New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) shoots into New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
Nashville Predators left wing Zachary L’heureux (68) skates with the puck under pressure from New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (17) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) defends against Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) defends against Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
New Jersey Devils right wing Connor Brown (16) and Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) collide during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (71) fights for control of the puck with Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) passes the puck past New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (43) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (17) moves the puck away from Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) falls to the ice next to New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) battles New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (71) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Nashville Predators in wild card race vs New Jersey Devils. Our best photos
A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the New Jersey Devils at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Many NHL teams host Pride Night as part of the NHL’s “Hockey Is For Everyone” movement, which began in the 2013 season. The league also partners with You Can Play, an organization that promotes “positive change that welcomes the LGBTQ+ community to sports and ensures they are safe and judged only on their talent or interest in the sport, and not their sexuality or gender identity.”
In 2023, after several NHL players opted out of wearing Pride Night jerseys during warmups across the league, the league disallowed the use of any alternate jerseys during warmups. Teams can still design and sell themed jerseys, they just cannot be worn on the ice. The Predators auction off their themed jerseys through the Predators Foundation, with silent bidding occurring during the game.
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During warmups against the Devils, several Predators players used Pride Tape, a rainbow colored hockey tape, on their sticks to show their support. Roman Josi, Ryan O’Reilly, Juuse Saros, and Ozzy Wiesblatt were among those that used the tape.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators committed to Pride Night despite social media backlash