The controversy surrounding Alex Ovechkin‘s recent appearance in a political campaign ad for United Russia took another turn on Wednesday.
South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson expressed his condemnation in a letter sent to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis.
Rep. Wilson (R-SC-02) shared the letter on his X. The full letter reads as follows:
Dear Commissioner Bettman,
I write with serious concern regarding the recent appearance by Washington Capitals Captain Alexander Ovechkin (#8) in a political campaign advertisement for United Russia, the dictatorial political party of Russian war criminal Vladimir Putin, who actively works to oppress the people of Russia by outlawing freedom of speech and fair elections.
Mr. Ovechkin shamefully appeared in a campaign video alongside senior figures of the Putin regime, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Kremlin propaganda outlet RT. The advertisement comes ahead of Russia’s September parliamentary “elections” and represents an alarming instance of one of the National Hockey League’s most prominent players lending his image and international celebrity to a political organization that has enabled Putin’s brutal rule and his ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. Even more disturbing, this United Russia campaign includes Maria Lvova-Belova, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for her role in the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territory. The Kremlin has consistently exploited prominent athletes, cultural figures, and international sporting achievements to legitimize its regime and project false Russian influence abroad. An NHL superstar appearing in campaign propaganda for Putin’s political party cannot simply be dismissed as an activity wholly disconnected from the League.
This remains troubling given Mr. Ovechkin’s longstanding and well-documented support for Vladimir Putin. In 2017, Mr. Ovechkin founded “PutinTeam,” an organization created to publicly rally support for Putin. Mr. Ovechkin’s Instagram account (@aleksandrovechkinofficial) profile photo remains an image alongside Putin. While Mr. Ovechkin has every right to hold personal political views, actively participating in campaign material for Putin’s oppressive party while serving as the captain of an NHL franchise in our nation’s capital raises serious questions about the standards expected of players who represent the League and their communities.
I therefore respectfully request that the NHL review this matter and clarify what policies, if any, govern the participation of active players in political advertisements or propaganda on behalf of dictatorial political parties and foreign political regimes. I further request that the League and the Capitals organization clarify any endorsement of Putin’s party is not a official position of the NHL or the Washington Capitals.
The NHL and the Washington Capitals have an extraordinary platform and responsibility. I hope the League will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves, and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
JOE WILSON
Member of CongressCC: Ted Leonsis, Owner, Washington Capitals
Rep. Wilson also handwrote “Putin is a convicted war criminal!” across the bottom of the letter underneath his signature.
Ovechkin was the most prominent Russian athlete to appear in one of a series of United Russia campaign ads ahead of Russia’s upcoming parliamentary elections. Since the commercial surfaced online, Ovechkin has faced renewed scrutiny over his political ties to President Vladimir Putin’s regime.
José Andrés, a prominent DC chef, philanthropist and restauranteur, criticized Ovechkin, the team, and the league over the ad on Monday.
Former astronaut Terry Virts said “Ovechkin should not be allowed back in the USA, much less the NHL.” Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek criticized Ovechkin and the team in multiple different X posts, along with onslaughts of criticism from a wide range of sources.
The story has also been covered by multiple prominent outlets including the New York Post, the Washington Post, and CNN.
The Capitals issued this statement in response to the situation to multiple outlets on Tuesday:
Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason and will live there following his retirement. As the longest-tenured athlete in Washington, D.C., and a pillar of the community, his focus and ours is on the season ahead and the continued impact he makes on the ice and in our city.
Rep. Wilson is on the Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees. He has frequently challenged Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Wilson introduced the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, which became law in 2022. The legislation streamlined the process for the U.S. to lend or lease military equipment to Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. He supported billions in additional aid to Ukraine, and has backed efforts to seize Russian sovereign assets for Ukraine. Recently, he brought forward a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy sector and war financing that passed the House on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, Ovechkin is expected to address reporters for Capitals’ Media Day.
