'Pride Tape' makers express disappointment in NHL's ban of rainbow-colored stick tape

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The NHL ruled in June that its players will no longer wear "specialty" jerseys after players opted out of wearing Pride-themed uniforms during warmups.

Philadelphia Flyers Defenseman Ivan Provorov brought the issue to light when he refused to wear the team's Pride-themed jersey during warm-ups in January, citing his Russian Orthodox religion. His jersey became one of the league's best sellers shortly after his stance. 

Several teams backtracked their originally-planned Pride night spectacles, while other players among several teams opted not to do so, citing both religion and safety concerns.

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A stick is taped 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 on March 5, 2020 in Chicago. (Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

However, with the abolishment of the jerseys came a ban of rainbow-colored stick tape. According to ESPN, the ban was to prevent using it as an "end around" to the new specialty uniform policy.

The makers of "Pride Tape," though, said they are "extremely disappointed" in the league's decision to wipe them out.

"The league has used language in recent days that would prohibit the tape from any proximity to NHL hockey. We hope the league -- and teams -- will again show commitment to this important symbol of combating homophobia," Pride Tape said in a statement to ESPN.

It should be noted that Pride jerseys are not the only uniforms banned by the NHL. "Specialty" jerseys include all types of on-ice commemorations, including other heritages,