NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Praises LGBTQ+ Hockey Romance Series 'Heated Rivalry' After Binge-Watching It in One Night

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, speaking to reporters ahead of a game between the San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals on January 15, 2026, disclosed that he binge-watched the entire six-episode season of HBO Max's "Heated Rivalry"in one night.

The series, created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid's 2019 novel, centers on Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov , two rival professional hockey players who develop a secret romantic relationship while navigating their closeted lives in the high-stakes world of the sport.

Bettman praised the show as "very well done"and a "wonderful story, "noting its compelling narrative that resonated with him personally. He highlighted specific references to real NHL history, including the league's participation in the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2021 All-Star Game in Tampa, which he described as "picking at things that we had in the past."

While acknowledging the series'appeal, Bettman cautioned that its content "particularly for young people, might be a little spicy, "emphasizing the need to balance such material when considering broader embrace. The show's popularity has extended beyond LGBTQ+ audiences, drawing comparisons to the Taylor Swift effect on NFL viewership and contributing to interest in the 2025-26 NHL season.

Bettman's comments come against the backdrop of the NHL's evolving approach to Pride initiatives. In 2023, the league ended the practice of teams wearing themed jerseys, including Pride jerseys, during warmups, a decision Bettman reiterated this week. He clarified that the policy was not specific to Pride but applied broadly to avoid distractions when players decline to wear jerseys for various causes, such as heritage nights, cancer remembrance, or political issues.

"It wasn’t about Pride jerseys or Pride tape. It was about the fact of bringing things into the game that might not be embraced by the players wearing the jerseys. If some players don’t embrace the cause, whatever it is, then you create a distraction that doesn’t fulfill the purpose, "Bettman stated.

Despite the jersey policy, all 32 NHL teams are scheduled to hold Pride nights during the 2025-26 season, with examples including the Seattle Kraken featuring players in Pride jerseys for photo-ops. Bettman has previously described concerns about LGBTQ+ inclusion at games as "legitimate, "reflecting ongoing dialogue within the league.

The timing of Bettman's endorsement aligns with the series'premiere buzz, including its screening at TIFF Lightbox on November 24, 2025, in Toronto. "Heated Rivalry"has been hailed as a pop-culture phenomenon that spotlights queer experiences in a traditionally masculine sport, potentially broadening hockey's appeal to diverse audiences, including transgender people and others in the LGBTQ+ community seeking representation.

This development underscores the intersection of media portrayals of LGBTQ+ lives in sports and real-world league policies, as "Heated Rivalry"fictionalizes challenges like secrecy and rivalry that mirror discussions around out athletes in professional hockey. While no direct responses from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to Bettman's specific comments were immediately available in coverage, the series itself has been celebrated in queer media for humanizing closeted athletes.