Skip to content
WIRED·

🏒NHL Launches 'Hot for Hockey' Campaign With Player Audiobooks

NHL's New Romance Novel Campaign Sparks Controversy

TL;DR

The NHL has launched a controversial 'Hot for Hockey' campaign featuring romance novel-inspired audiobooks starring players, aimed at getting people to watch games. However, it's facing backlash from some fans and writers.

The NHL has rolled out a new campaign called 'Hot for Hockey', featuring romance novel-inspired audiobooks starring players from the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Las Vegas Golden Knights. These 60-90 second stories, written and narrated by popular hockey romance writers, are being promoted on BookTok. The campaign aims to attract romance readers to watch actual games, but it's stirring controversy. Some fans and writers are concerned about the sexualization of players and the lack of engagement with female and LGBTQ hockey fans' concerns. Players are not paired with romantic partners in the stories, and the NHL has banned specialty-themed uniforms, including Pride sweaters. The campaign has raised questions about the league's approach to sexual assault allegations and its handling of fan-player relationships.

NHL Launches 'Hot for Hockey' Campaign With Player Audiobooks — WIRED

Key Points

1

NHL's 'Hot for Hockey' campaign features audiobooks from Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Las Vegas Golden Knights players.

2

Stories are 60-90 seconds long, resembling back-cover summaries of romance novels.

3

The campaign aims to attract romance readers to watch NHL games, but it's facing backlash from some fans and writers.

4

NHL has banned specialty-themed uniforms, including Pride sweaters and tape, but highlights other LGBTQ partnerships.

5

Critics argue the campaign falls flat due to the league's approach to sexual assault allegations and player harassment.

Why It Matters

The NHL's 'Hot for Hockey' campaign is a bold move to attract romance readers to watch games, but it's stirring controversy over sexualization and lack of engagement with female and LGBTQ fans. This campaign highlights the complex relationship between sports leagues and fan engagement, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like sexual harassment and LGBTQ rights.

NHLromance novelsBookTokcontroversyfan engagement

Comments

Subscribe to join the conversation...

Be the first to comment

Enjoyed this article?

Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.

Also get