SEARCH


Gary Bettman and the NHL Confirm Announcement: Broadcasts Will Continue in American Sign Language

PUBLICATION
Julien Trekker
December 12, 2024  (1:15 PM)
SHARE THIS STORY

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in a press conference.
Photo credit: Olivier Jean - La Presse

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the league will continue broadcasting games in American Sign Language.

The NHL is looking at ways to make the game more inclusive for viewers and Gary Bettman just made a big step in the right direction.

Earlier today, the League revealed that some games will be offered in the American Sign Language, starting with the upcoming Winter Classic game between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks on December 31st.

Viewers in Canada and the United States will be able to watch games with ASL commentators, in what will be called "The NHL in AHL".

This won't be the first time the NHL gets covered in ASL.

Before this, CBC aired the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers with live ASL comments:

Steve Mayer, President of NHL Content and Events, made the following declaration:

«Building off the tremendous success of our groundbreaking NHL in ASL broadcast for the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, we are proud to continue to demonstrate the League's commitment to providing a fully immersive and accessible viewing experience that specifically meets the needs of the Deaf community for our Legacy events as well, starting for the first time with this year's NHL Winter Classic.

This is an NHL-led production for the Deaf by the Deaf, and we encourage all fans watching at home to tune in to experience this special telecast.»

The NHL's senior executive VP of social impact, growth initiatives, and legislative affairs Kim Davis also released a statement:

"For us to be able to have this real-time coverage of play-by-play and color commentary in American Sign Language being called directly as opposed to a re-interpretation is really what the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community want. It's what they deserve.

That makes the game truly meaningful for them. It is not like you're re-interpreting for them basically from another language. They are hearing the game live in their own language and the way in which they understand it best."

Hopefully, Gary Bettman and the NHL will continue to find ways of making the game more inclusive after this great initiative.


Warning: include(/home//inout/pub_inline.php): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/marqueur/public_html/news/auto/blogs_id/458281.php on line 37

Warning: include(): Failed opening '/home//inout/pub_inline.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/opt/cpanel/ea-php74/root/usr/share/pear') in /home/marqueur/public_html/news/auto/blogs_id/458281.php on line 37
POLL
DÉCEMBRE 12   |   116 ANSWERS
Gary Bettman and the NHL Confirm Announcement: Broadcasts Will Continue in American Sign Language

Will you watch the Winter Classic game between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks on December 31st?

Yes4639.7 %
No7060.3 %
LIST OF POLLS

TRENDING NOW
2025-2026
NHL STANDINGS
GPWLOLPTS
Sabres8250239109
Lightning8250266106
Canadiens82482410106
Bruins82452710100
Senators8244271199
Red Wings8241311092
Panthers824038484
Maple Leafs8232361478
GPWLOLPTS
Hurricanes8253227113
Penguins8241251698
Flyers8243271298
Capitals824330995
Blue Jackets8240301292
Islanders824334591
Devils824237387
Rangers823439977
GPWLOLPTS
Avalanche82551611121
Stars82502012112
Wild82462412104
Mammoth824333692
Blues8237331286
Predators8238341086
Jets8235351282
Blackhawks8229391472
GPWLOLPTS
Golden Knights8239261795
Oilers8241301193
Ducks824333692
Kings8235272090
Sharks823935886
Kraken8234371179
Flames823439977
Canucks822549858
COMPLETE STANDINGS