Abstract
In this discursive case study, we examine the role of popular media (a television show) and fandom responses (a podcast live-react video) in (re)articulating or challenging possible relationships between queerness and professional men’s ice hockey. We first discuss frames from sociocultural theories to characterize queerness and professional men’s ice hockey. We then review prior literature on queerness in sporting cultures generally. Next, we contextualize our analysis by summarizing recent issues around LGBTQ+ inclusion in the National Hockey League (NHL). Then, we present a case analysis of the television show Heated Rivalry and the hockey podcast Empty Netters. We examine how a particular episode of Heated Rivalry presents many possible visions of whether queerness and hockey can co-exist. We also demonstrate how Empty Netters, in their live-react podcast episode, agree with or challenge these visions. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for studying communication and sport.