Joe Wilson Urges NHL Review of Ovechkin's Putin Party Ad Before Sept. 18 Vote
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 17
Joe Wilson Urges NHL Review of Ovechkin's Putin Party Ad Before Sept. 18 Vote
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 17
Summary
Joe Wilson said he sent NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman a letter Tuesday calling Alex Ovechkin’s appearance in a United Russia campaign video “shameful” and asking what league rules govern players in foreign political ads.
The ad, released ahead of Russia’s Sept. 18-20 parliamentary elections, shows the Washington Capitals captain standing behind Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov; Wilson wants the NHL and Capitals to state that Ovechkin’s role does not reflect their views.
Wilson said Ovechkin should face unspecified “consequences” for promoting Putin’s party, but he repeatedly declined to say whether he wants a suspension or fine and said he has not yet received an NHL response.
The Capitals said Ovechkin was asked while spending the offseason in Russia to join the video campaign, but the team did not say who approached him or whether it knew in advance.
Ovechkin has backed Putin for years, including launching “PutinTeam” in 2017, underscoring how his latest appearance could deepen scrutiny of Russian political ties inside a U.S.-based league.