Evander Kane believes NHL doesn't market minority players enough

On Monday, San Jose Sharks forward and Hockey Diversity Alliance co-head Evander Kane said he believes the NHL does a poor job of promoting diversity in the sport.

“As minorities in the NHL and coming through hockey, we've been undervalued and we've been overlooked,” he said during the video call. “It's baffling to me that that's still going on. And it's gone on ever since I've been in the league.”

Others on the call with Kane were Akim Aliu, Wayne Simmonds, Trevor Daley, Matt Dumba, Nazem Kadri, Chris Stewart, Anthony Duclair, and Joel Ward.

“I look at the group that we have here on the screen, and it's concerning,” Kane said. “You would think that you would want to use us and present us as minorities in such a white sport in a great light and use it to your advantage to create a more diverse game because that, at the end of the day, is what is going to sell.”

Kane also went on to say he believes the NHL's lack of diversity is a big reason why it is the least profitable league amongst the four major sports.

“You look at other leagues like the NBA and the NFL and how diverse they are and why they are generating significantly more revenue than our league. Because I'll be the first person to tell you hockey is by far the greatest game. It's the hardest sport. I think we as athletes deserve to get paid the most. And why is it that we aren't? Part of that issue, and a big part of it, is because we are not a diverse sport.”

The Hockey Diversity Alliance, which include the members on the call with Kane, was created back on June 8 to help with racism in hockey that exists at all levels. It is great to see players and everyone else alike coming together on this, and hopefully it is able to begin helping.

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