NHL players will not wear Pride jerseys during warm-ups anymore: 'Keeping the focus on the game'

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The NHL and several of its teams and players caught both flak and praise in response to not wearing LGBTQ-themed jerseys during warm-ups on their respective Pride Nights.

In order to avoid any "distraction," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says themed jerseys will no longer be worn on the ice.

"I suggested that it would be appropriate for clubs not to change their jerseys in warm-ups because it's become a distraction and taking away from the fact that all of our clubs in some form or another host nights in honor of various groups or causes, and we'd rather them continue to get the appropriate attention that they deserve and not be a distraction," Bettman told SportsNet at the NHL Board of Governors meeting on Thursday.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

A stick is taped with rainbow colors during warm-ups in support of the NHL's "Hockey is for Everyone" initiative during Pride Night prior to the game against the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center in Chicago on March 5, 2020. (Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

The announcement came in the midst of Pride Month while the league has been criticized for not making the LGBTQ community welcome at its games, which Bettman called "legitimate concerns."

"But in the final analysis, all of the efforts and emphasis on the importance of these various courses have been undermined by the distraction in terms of which teams, which players, this way we're keeping the focus on the game and on these specialty nights, we're going to be focused on the cause," he said.

Pride Nights, as well as other heritage celebrations, will stay, Bettman said.

A side-by-side shot of Philadelphia