@esoksb1: Well, somebody had to say it. Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney just gave the NHL a reality check, courtesy of Andy Cohen's SiriusXM show. The wildly popular queer hockey romance has brought an entirely new level of attention to the sport, particularly among women and LGBTQ+ audiences. The NHL has been eager to embrace that popularity, launching marketing campaigns aimed at fans who discovered hockey through the series. But Tierney has a few thoughts about the league's newfound enthusiasm. During Monday's interview, he challenged Cohen's suggestion that the NHL was capitalizing on the show's success, pointing instead to the league's willingness to welcome players accused of sexual assault. And that's a conversation professional sports desperately needs to have. The NHL has spent years trying to expand its audience, promote inclusion, and convince women that hockey is a place for them. Yet the league continues to face questions about how it handles sexual misconduct and the treatment of women. A glossy marketing campaign can attract new fans. Building their trust requires something considerably more substantial. And the distinction matters. The players Tierney appeared to be referencing were involved in the 2018 Canadian world junior hockey sexual assault case. The five former players were acquitted in July 2025. Still, the broader question deserves an answer. What message does a sports league send when its pursuit of talent takes precedence over addressing concerns about sexual misconduct? Women are watching. They're buying tickets, tuning in, and becoming part of hockey's growing audience. They deserve a league that takes their safety and dignity as seriously as their money. See less

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Wednesday 14 October 2026 19:33:53 GMT