FOX Nation Refuses RAF Moscow Stream as VTB Arena Deal Risks U.S. Sanctions Breach
Updated
Updated · MMA Mania · Sep 3
FOX Nation Refuses RAF Moscow Stream as VTB Arena Deal Risks U.S. Sanctions Breach
3 articles · Updated · MMA Mania · Sep 3
Summary
Sept. 5's RAF Moscow card remains on the schedule, but Fox Nation told ESPN it will not stream the event after questions over possible U.S. sanctions violations.
VTB Arena is operated by a company tied to VTB Bank and BM-Bank, both under U.S. sanctions, making RAF's venue agreement a potentially prohibited transaction for Americans without Treasury approval.
Two sanctions experts told ESPN the event likely does not fit standard exemptions, and RAF declined to say whether it sought or received a special U.S. license.
RAF CEO Chad Bronstein said the promotion is working with sanctions lawyers and aims to comply with all laws, even as RAF's website still lists Fox Nation as the U.S. broadcaster.
Khamzat Chimaev and Tyron Woodley are set to headline a card featuring Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and Bo Nickal, underscoring how a high-profile U.S.-Russia sports event has become entangled in Ukraine-related sanctions.