NHL team bans fan after Nazi salute video circulates online

In December, a group of fans were captured on video at a Dallas Stars game performing what looked like a Nazi salute. The 12-second video was posted to Reddit, then deleted, but resurfaced on X on March 31.

After some outcry from offended fans and an investigation, the Stars announced they had identified the person who purchased the tickets April 7 and banned him indefinitely from American Airlines Center.

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“We identified and spoke with the individual that purchased the tickets and will be banning the individual indefinitely from American Airlines Center,” a Stars spokesperson said in a statement. “Additionally, we are increasing in-arena messaging regarding the Fan Code of Conduct and how our fans can report violations, along with prioritizing staff training to identify and handle situations that arise. Any type of discriminatory or hateful behavior will not be tolerated and has no place in our arena. Creating and sustaining environments that are inclusive, safe and respectful is a non-negotiable for the Dallas Stars.”

The gesture was captured during the Stars’ December 21, 2025, game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to the Reddit user who posted the video to the social media platform, it was not a one-off incident.

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“These boys were sitting in front of us doing a Nazi salute every time the Stars scored,” the original poster wrote. “I’ve been to several games and never seen anything like this before. I recorded them and sent it to arena management, but they said they couldn’t find the boys despite me giving them their exact seat numbers.”

The NHL Fan Code of Conduct states: “Language, gestures, behavior, clothing, signs, or other personal expressions that negatively reference or demean a specific race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability status, or other identity-based characteristic will not be tolerated. Such conduct is strictly prohibited regardless of whether it directly or indirectly references a particular individual or a group of individuals.”

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Stars could only identify the fan who purchased the tickets, not the others shown in the video.