# NHL Campaign Ignores Women Fans

> NHL’s romance campaign misses what women fans have wanted for years.
- Title: NHL Campaign Ignores Women Fans · Cosmopolitan | Shortify
- Summary: NHL’s romance campaign misses what women fans have wanted for years. The NHL’s new hockey romance campaign fails to address women fans’ concerns about player…
- Keywords: nhl, hockey, women fans, romance novels, lgbtq plus, pride nights, sexual assault, hockey romance, Campaign, Ignores, Women, Fans
- Source: Cosmopolitan — https://cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/books/a73964112/nhl-hot-for-hockey-campaign
- Author: Tamara Fuentes
- Published: 2026-10-01T17:27:07+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nhl, hockey, women fans, romance novels, lgbtq plus, pride nights, sexual assault, hockey romance
## NHL’s romance campaign
The NHL launched a romance-themed audiobook series with real-life hockey storylines to boost engagement.
## No real romance in stories
The NHL’s stories feature no actual romance between players but wink at the genre.
## Women fans’ concerns
Female fans have long criticized the NHL for lack of LGBTQ+ support and player safety after sexual assault cases.
## Pride nights canceled
The Dallas Stars canceled Pride Nights for 2026-2027, replacing it with a women-focused event.
## Sexual assault cases
Five players acquitted of sexual assault were allowed to sign NHL contracts starting in October 2025.
## Author backlash
Romance authors rejected the NHL’s campaign, calling it a recipe for disaster and tone-deaf.
## Women fans’ perspective
Women fans feel the NHL doesn’t take them seriously as fans but rather as book readers.
## What women want
Women fans want themed nights supporting their favorite authors and fandoms to engage with hockey.
## Key takeaway

The NHL’s new hockey romance campaign fails to address women fans’ concerns about player safety and LGBTQ+ support after years of criticism.