Why This Russian Gas Company Sponsors Soccer Teams
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Civics
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Provided by Vox
What it is
- This Vox video explains the financial relationship between several European soccer teams and the Russian-owned gas company Gazprom.
- Students will learn that Gazprom has sponsored several struggling European soccer teams, allowing them to acquire talented players and win games.
- Gazprom's positive publicity makes people less likely to criticize Gazprom's disastrous environmental impact.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This video is well researched and explains the history and political motivations of Gazprom.
- Vox uses video clips and data to back up its claims.
Additional Prerequisites
- The Union of European Football Associations ended its relationship with Gazprom in February of 2022, according to their website.
- This video contains advertisements.
- Teachers may wish to explain the importance of soccer in European culture.
Differentiation
- Economics classes could use this video to discuss state-owned companies and ownership of the means of production.
- Teachers could use this video in a lesson about the impact of advertising and the role it plays in consumerism and climate change.
- Civics or government classes could have a debate over whether this kind of advertising should be legal.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on an activist's fight to block a pipeline in Minnesota, this interactive map on gas reserves around the world, and this video about greenwashing.
From the scientist review
There isn't any specific science to review in this video resource from Vox; however, it is very important for understanding the scope of the climate problem. Solving climate change is not as simple as shutting down fossil fuel plants. Many different parties have an interest in the fossil fuel industry and use many kinds of tactics to portray themselves to the public. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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