Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-14-2026
Abstract
The 2022–2023 NHL season witnessed a spate of reactionary protests to team-sponsored Pride Nights by players set off by Philadelphia Flyers defensemen Ivan Provorov. In this essay, I consider the reactionary side of athlete activism through an analysis of these protests. Drawing on a critical rhetorical perspective, I critique the discourse of players, coaches, teams, and the league to outline the discursive features of athlete activism that advocates for the hegemonic status quo. I argue that these reactionary protests feature a refusal to engage in public discourse, a reliance on individual beliefs and personal choices, and tacit institutional approval from the powers that be. In this way, this essay adds to the robust scholarship about athlete activism by considering reactionary protests that are often otherwise overlooked by media and scholars alike.
Recommended Citation
Meier, M. R. (2026). Provorov fights Pride Night: hockey, homophobia, and reactionary athlete activism. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 1–18.
Comments
The Author's Accepted Manuscript version is downloadable here. For the version of record, click the DOI linked below.