March 2022
Sports
The Voyager 15
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has impacted the sports world By JOSEPH LOVERDI ‘22 Sports Editor
L
ike many, the sports world has been appalled by Russia’s unnecessary invasion of Ukraine on February 24. And it hasn’t come without severe ramifications for Russian sports bodies, who have had to deal with not only the consistent issue of Russian athletes doping, but the dictatorial actions of their government to boot. FIFA and UEFA jointly announced on February 28 that Russia would be suspended from competitions. This comes off the back of numerous countries, including the three in their World Cup playoff group (Sweden, Czechia, Poland), refusing to play the Russian national team. The announcement effectively ended Russia’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup, and also led to Spartak Moscow, who qualified for the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, being expelled from the tournament. Long-time Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who has long been linked to ties with Putin and who was recently placed under sanction by British Parliament, has left his shares of the club to trustees, aiming to save his skin and Chelsea’s reputation. Chelsea have now been put up for sale as the club’s activities have been heavily restricted, from losing main sponsor Three to being banned from selling tickets. Prospective buyers ranging from the Cubs-owning Ricketts family to a consortium including Dodgers owner Todd Boehly have been lining up to own the prestigious English club. Lokomotiv Moscow manager Markus Gisdol, in his first season with the team following spells in Germany with Hoffenheim, Hamburg, and Koln, left his spot in protest of the Russian invasion, as did Krasnodar manager Daniel Farke. The former Norwich City manager had been
in the job for less than a week before stepping down. Ice hockey is arguably Russia’s favorite sport, and the IIHF has hit them hard. They followed UEFA and FIFA’s lead by suspending Russia (as well as Belarus, who has been Russia’s only ally) from international competition; the IIHF also rescinded Russia’s rights to host the 2023 World Junior Championship. Russia’s domestic league, the KHL, has also seen a couple of teams, Jokerit Helsinki and Dinamo Riga, leave the competition due to the invasion. Jokerit looks likely to rejoin the Finnish Liiga, and Dinamo Riga are reportedly in talks to join the mainly-Austrian IceHL, which also boasts teams from Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Czechia. It has also surprisingly impacted the world of Formula One. The title sponsor of American team Haas is Russian chemical manufacturer Uralkali, part of the Uralchem group owned by Putin crony Dmitry Mazepin. If that name sounds familiar, his son Nikita is one of the team’s drivers, and Uralkali’s sponsorship is dependent on Nikita driving for the team. However, with Dmitry’s close ties to Putin, Haas have distanced themselves from Uralkali, removing their logo from the car and changing their livery on the final day of the first preseason test to an all-white car with the Haas logo. And on Saturday, March 5, Haas announced that they had dissolved their partnership with Uralkali with immediate effect; Mazepin would no longer be driving for the team as a result. Team owner Gene Haas, when interviewed at the Pennzoil 400 (he’s a part owner of the Stewart-Haas NASCAR team), confirmed that the team would be able to survive without Mazepin’s funding and that his NASCAR team sponsors had placed pressure on him to cut ties with Uralkali as the team aimed to stay. They announced
USWNT, U.S. Soccer Federation settle their equal pay lawsuit
If you’re not paying attention to this right now and what’s happening in women’s sport, you’re sleeping on the whole thing.” The lawsuit was filed back in March of OALLLLLLLL! Now in the 2019 by 25 players, including Rapione, middle of Women’s History Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn, and the Month, a huge win has been now-retired Hope Solo, and Carli Lloyd. granted to the U.S. Women’s It cited years of ongoing institutionalized National Soccer Team (USgender discrimination against the players WNT)! On February 22nd, a $24 million in their compensation and working condidollar settlement was reached between tions. the USWNT and the U.S. Soccer FedThough this has been a problem for eration following the filing of an Equal years, the U.S. SocEmployment Opcer Federation is portunity Commisonly making changes sion complaint, a now. According to lawsuit over unequal NBC, FIFA awards pay with men’s team $400 million in prize players. money for the 32 According to the teams at the 2018 settled terms, U.S. men’s World Cup, Soccer will pay men and $38 million for and women an equal France who was rate in the future in the champion. On all non-competitive the contrary, for the games (friendlies) women’s cup, FIFA and tournaments, awarded $30 million including the World to the 24 teams and Cup. $4 million to the U.S. Captain of USwho won the World WNT, Megan RapiCup. noe spoke with NBC Settlement terms the next day on this USWNT stars like forward Alex state that U.S. Socmajor milestone. Morgan gained both a $24 million will pay $22 “For us, this is just settlement and a promise of equal pay. cer a huge win in ensurPhoto by Wikimedia million to the players in the case and an ading that we not only ditional $2 million into a separate account right the wrongs of the past, but set the to benefit USWNT players in their postnext generation up for something we only career goals and charitable efforts related dreamed of”. to women’s and girls’ soccer (which cal“We are really in the midst of an inculates up to $50,000 for each player). credible turning point in women’s sport. By MADISON JOLLEY ‘23 News Editor
G
One of the sport-related consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen Nikita Mazepin, son of Putin-linked oligarch Dmitry, lose his seat at Formula One team Haas. Photo by Wikimedia Kevin Magnussen, who previously drove for the team from 2018 to 2020, as Mazepin’s replacement, and he immediately set the fastest lap on the second day of official preseason testing as Haas looks to seriously contend for points in 2022. Athletes across the world, from Ukraine and Manchester City left back Oleksandr Zinchenko to Russian stars like tennis player Andrey Rublev and Dynamo Moscow striker Fedor Smolov, have spoken out against Russia’s horrific actions. The immense show of support from teams across the globe, like Real Madrid and West Ham, has been beautiful to see. This will continue to affect the sports world for months and maybe even years
to come. I feel for the Russian athletes who had nothing to do with their leader’s decision to invade Ukraine, but there needs to be some sort of punishment for it, and what governing bodies like FIFA and the IIHF have done so far is fitting. Sometimes it can go a bit too far, like the banning of Russian and Belarussian athletes from the Paralympics (the athletes who worked four years for this don’t deserve to lose it because of their reckless leaders) but these are justified and necessary actions that needed to be taken. The sports world is not taking Russia’s antagonistic war lightly. Their harsh response to the country proves it.
Tom Brady ends retirement, returns as the Buccaneers QB By KYLE GOLDSTEIN ‘24 and TIMUR MARKOWITZ ‘24 Staff Reporters
T
he GOAT is back. Just over one month after he announced his retirement, Tom Brady has stated that he will be returning to the Buccaneers for his 23rd season, premiering as the oldest active player in the NFL, as when the season begins he will be 45 years old. As the NFL’s career leader in yards passing and touchdowns, as well as with the most Super Bowl rings of any player ever, his effect on football is unprecedented, and his legacy carried enough weight to guarantee him into the Hall of Fame. However, his short lived retirement of 40 days was ended when he posted that he had “unfinished business” on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. Supposedly, his wife and family are supportive and happy with his decision to unretire and play football for his 23rd season. Speculation has risen from his sudden change of mind, with an investigation called concerning recent bets. Last week, many different bettors placed wagers for the Buccaneers to win the Super Bowl
prior to the announcement of him not retiring. The Vice President of Westgate Superbook stated that he believed the amount of bets and the money that was wagered indicated that information concerning his unretirement was leaked prior to the announcement. Furthermore, the football thought to have made Bardy’s final touchdown was sold for $518,628. However, with his return, its worth has significantly decreased, being valued at nothing above $20,000. In response to this, Tom Brady attempted to make up this loss through providing one Bitcoin to the buyer, currently worth $41,242. This means the buyer has just over one tenth of the money spent on the football. What makes this worse is that FTX, the company which Brady asked to provide a singular Bitcoin, is one in which he has equity. Despite its bizarre nature, his decision will undoubtedly alter the 2022-2023 NFL season in various ways, not just in terms of the game, but also the sports betting and anticipation. However, the question arises, how many more NFL seasons should one expect Tom Brady, who will be 45 next season, to play?
“His short lived retirement of 40 days was ended when he posted that he had ‘unfinished business’ on his Twitter and Instagram accounts.” Brady will return for a 23rd season in the NFL.
