LA Kings Apologize After Armenian Scarves Cause Controversy

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Kings faced backlash for distributing scarves made in Turkey during their Armenian Heritage Night on February 22. The event, aimed at honoring the large Armenian community in Los Angeles, became mired in controversy due to the scarves’ origin.

Fans attending the game against the Utah Hockey Club received scarves that featured the Armenian flag’s colors along with the Kings’ logo. However, it was later revealed that the scarves were produced in Turkey, a country with a fraught historical relationship with Armenia. Estimates suggest that around 1.5 million Armenians died due to massacres, deportations, and forced marches initiated in 1915 in Ottoman Turkey, an event that many historians classify as genocide, a label Turkey disputes.

In response to the backlash, the Kings issued a statement apologizing for the oversight. “We, the LA Kings and our partners at Rank & Rally, want to sincerely apologize to all our friends in the Armenian community and beyond for the oversight that may have inadvertently impacted your experience during what should’ve been a joyous celebration,” the statement read.

The Kings emphasized that they work with licensed manufacturers and were unaware of the scarves’ production origin. To address the concerns, the team is offering full refunds or exchanges for anyone who purchased the scarf at the TEAM LA store.

This incident highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity in promotional merchandise. WiseNuts, a well-known Armenian-American podcast, publicly criticized the team for the misstep and called for a more thorough awareness when sourcing products for cultural events.

The Kings clarified that their intentions were to celebrate and support the Armenian community in Southern California, which is the largest Armenian population outside of Armenia. Armenian Heritage Night is a tradition for the Kings, intended to foster goodwill and connection with the local Armenian fan base.

The response from the Armenian community reflects the ongoing sensitivities surrounding the historical grievances between Armenia and Turkey. The Kings hope that by offering refunds and acknowledging their error, they can restore trust with their fan base.