NHL bosses are already concerned about Heated Rivalry season 2

Heated Rivalry season 2 will place Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander under external pressure from Major League Hockey Commissioner Roger Crowell. The show’s fictional rivalry and hatred raise concerns that it could mirror real-life NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Kim Davis, the NHL’s executive vice president, said more work is needed to welcome new fans and that Bettman has shared with co-producers that portrayals of him are not how he would react. Bettman said the content may be too spicy for young people and needs balancing, while praising the storyline as compelling and fun. The NHL’s LGBTQ inclusion record includes You Can Play, but Pride nights and Pride tape were banned in 2023 before being overturned.

"Speaking to PR Week, Kim Davis, the NHL's executive vice president, said more should be done to welcome new fans. Davis also noted Bettman has "shared with the co-producers that what they say about him [in the show] is not at all the way he would react". Davis added: "We have work to do in preparation for that.""

"He continued: "The content - particularly for young people - may be a little spicy, so you have to balance that out. "I thought the storyline was very compelling. And a lot of fun, because I could see where they were picking at things we [as a league] had done in the past, whether or not it was being in Sochi or the All-Star Game in Tampa. It was very well done.""

"Based on Rachel Reid's The Long Game, the show's second season sees Ilya and Shane face the wrath of Crowell's strict orders. Subsequently, those in the NHL are concerned that the fictional hatred could reflect on real-life NHL commissioner Gary Bettman."

"Under Bettman's control, the NHL has a mixed reputation among LGBTQ+ hockey fans. Bettman, commissioner since 1993, has overseen the league's LGBTQ inclusion efforts, including the You Can Play project. However, Pride nights and Pride tape were banned in 2023. These were overturned but the sentiment has lingered in the mi"

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