The LA Kings, a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California, has issued an apology after an unfortunate oversight during a recent themed night at their stadium. In a move that has stirred controversy, the team handed out promotional scarves made in Turkey during their specially designated “Armenian Night”.
The blunder, which unwittingly stirred historical sensitivities between the Armenian community and Turkey, led to public backlash. In response to the outcry, the LA Kings promptly issued an apology, accepting full responsibility for the incident.
For over a century, the relationship between Armenia and Turkey has been fraught due to the Armenian genocide that took place beginning in 1915, during which an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed. Given this historic tension, the fact that promotional items originated from Turkey, handed out on Armenian Night, has been viewed as insensitive by many.
A representative of the LA Kings said, “We sincerely apologize to anyone who was upset by this oversight, and we understand the sensitivities around this issue.” The team is also taking measures to ensure a similar incident doesn’t occur again in the future, and has promised to conduct a thorough review of their promotional merchandise sources.
The incident serves as a significant reminder of the ongoing geopolitical and historical tensions that remain between Armenia and Turkey, and the important role sensitivity plays when commemorating cultural heritage in diverse communities.
Last modified: March 6, 2025
