François Arnaud, the star of the hit series Heated Rivalry, is challenging the National Hockey League to support its words with genuine action. The actor has pointed out that while the NHL and its teams are benefiting from the show’s massive popularity, the league’s past policies on LGBTQ+ inclusion tell a different story. Arnaud’s comments highlight a growing conversation about real change in professional sports culture.
The show, a romantic drama about two closeted professional hockey players, has become a major success since its November 2025 debut on Crave and HBO Max. It has not only been renewed for a second season but has also sparked notable reactions from the real hockey world, including social media engagement from NHL teams and even a public statement from the league’s commissioner. However, Arnaud and others are watching closely to see if this entertainment-driven interest leads to meaningful progress off the screen.
The Heart of Arnaud’s Message to the NHL
In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, François Arnaud was direct about his hopes for the NHL. He acknowledged that the league seems to be enjoying the attention the show brings but stressed the need for that attention to translate into tangible support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Arnaud specifically referenced the NHL’s 2023 decision to ban Pride Tape and specialty jerseys, including those for Pride Nights, during warm-ups and games. Although the tape ban was later reversed, the jersey ban remains in place. For Arnaud, this history creates a contradiction when the league celebrates a show about gay romance.
“Their sales are going up, apparently,” Arnaud noted, referring to the NHL. “The Boston Bruins tagged us on different clips online and it’s getting incredible traction. I’m just hoping that it’s backed up by actual openness to diversity… If you’re going to use our name, then back it up with real-life s—.”
This call comes after Arnaud made a joking remark about the “failing NHL” at the Critics Choice Awards earlier this month. He later clarified the comment was taken out of context, stating he winked at the camera and does not believe the multi-billion-dollar organization is actually failing. His core message, however, remains serious.
The NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman Respond
The NHL has taken public notice of Heated Rivalry. League Commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters he watched the entire six-episode first season in one night.
“I think it’s a wonderful story,” Bettman said. “The content, particularly for young people, might be a little spicy. And so you have to balance that out in terms of how you embrace (the show).”
Bettman also pointed to existing NHL initiatives like Pride Nights and work with the LGBTQ+ advocacy group You Can Play as evidence of the league’s commitment. In an official statement, the league said, “Heated Rivalry is a phenomenon that is bringing new fans to our great sport and what those new fans will find is a warm welcome.”
This engagement extends to individual teams. The Boston Bruins official social media account has shared clips from the show, directly tagging the series and helping to drive fan interaction.
Real-Life Impact Beyond the Screen
The influence of Heated Rivalry is moving beyond television ratings and into real lives. The show has inspired personal stories from viewers, including former hockey players.
Former player Jesse Kortuem publicly shared that watching the show helped him find the courage to come out as gay. Kortuem, who played competitively through high school in Minnesota, said he quit hockey because he never felt comfortable in the sport’s environment.
“Heated Rivalry helped me realize that visibility matters,” Kortuem told Good Morning America. “It finally allowed me to be that voice for so many that came before me to fight for hockey and inclusion in hockey.”
Rachel Reid, author of the Game Changers book series the show is based on, says she has heard from a wide range of fans. This includes “quite a few heterosexual men” who told her the story of emotional vulnerability between the male leads has helped improve their own marriages.
Co-star Robbie G.K., who plays barista Kip, spoke about the show’s unexpected resonance. “It’s almost like a bit of a haven that it creates within the storyline for people to find comfort in,” he said.
A Show That Almost Wasn’t Made
Heated Rivalry nearly looked very different. François Arnaud revealed that before landing at Crave, the series was in development at a larger, unnamed streaming service. That service gave creator Jacob Tierney extensive notes that would have drastically altered the story.
One specific note from executives was “no kissing until episode five,” Arnaud shared during an appearance on CBS Mornings. With intimacy being a key part of both the source material and the final show’s appeal, such a restriction was unacceptable to Tierney.
“I don’t think this show could have been made in the U.S.,” Arnaud stated, explaining that Tierney chose to walk away and produce the show in Canada with a smaller budget to maintain creative control.
The Personal Cost of Sudden Fame
The massive success of Heated Rivalry has launched its cast to new levels of fame, but it has also come with intense public scrutiny and online harassment. François Arnaud faced a wave of negative comments and speculation about his personal life in mid-January 2026, particularly regarding rumors of a relationship with co-star Connor Storrie.
In response to the harassment, Arnaud temporarily unfollowed his entire cast and the show’s creator on Instagram. He later posted a photo on Instagram of himself giving the middle finger to the camera, a gesture he captioned as “Learning from the very best,” alongside a photo of co-star Hudson Williams making a similar gesture at the Golden Globes.
Arnaud, who publicly came out as bisexual in 2020, has been vocal about the need for privacy and the irrelevance of an actor’s real-life sexuality to their ability to play a role.
“It’s absurd to think that you should be allowed to ask about someone’s sexuality when they’re trying to get hired for a job,” Arnaud told Variety. “It’s crazy, like we’re only going to hire you if you’re gay?”
What’s Next for Heated Rivalry
The show has been officially renewed for a second season on Crave and HBO Max, though a specific premiere date has not been set. Author Rachel Reid hinted that the new season will pick up where her book The Long Game leaves off, following the two main characters, Shane and Ilya, through their first full season playing on the same team.
“So it’s their first season playing together,” Reid said. “We’re going to be seeing a lot of Shane and Ilya together all the time which is new for them and weird for them. So it’s fun to explore.”
François Arnaud expressed his own hopes for his character, Scott Hunter, who publicly came out at the end of season one. “I’m hoping to see what reality has in store for them,” Arnaud said, pointing to the unique challenges of a relationship between a famous athlete and a private citizen.
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