Rangers star Panarin, MSG said to have made settlement payments following employee's sexual assault claims.
In a shocking development, Artemi Panarin, star winger for the New York Rangers, found himself embroiled in a sexual assault controversy last year. A report by The Athletic unveiled a shocking turn of events, claiming that Panarin, along with Madison Square Garden Sports (the Rangers' owners), had settled a financial claim with a former team employee who emerged with sexual assault allegations against Panarin.
Thealdic fiasco allegedly took place during a road trip in December 2023, at a post-game celebration. As per the report, Panarin took the woman's phone and suggested she retrieve it from his hotel room. Once in the room, Panarin was accused of pinning her down on the bed before she managed to escape and leave. The gravity of the situation came to light approximately three months later as part of an investigation into an entirely different matter [1][2][3].
The Rangers took the allegations seriously and commissioned an external law firm to carry out an objective investigation. The NHL was kept in the loop about this independent probe. Interestingly, the league has since declared the matter closed [1][4].
According to reports, both Madison Square Garden Sports and the accuser have affirmed they've resolved the issue. Remarkably, Panarin has been maintaining an unperturbed presence with the team, being named their MVP for the second consecutive season [1][3].
Despite the scandal, the NHL hasn't imposed any disciplinary action on Panarin. When journalists tried to question Panarin concerning the allegations during the team's morning skate before their season finale, he stayed focused on his hockey, brushing off the queries with, "I'll just talk about hockey" [4].
[1] - Source: The Athletic[2] - Source: New York Post[3] - Source: ESPN[4] - Source: Sports Illustrated
- The shocking sexual assault controversy involving Artemi Panarin, the star winger of the New York Rangers, unfolded over a year ago during a post-game celebration on a road trip in December 2023.
- As per a report by The Athletic, Panarin allegedly took the woman's phone and suggested she retrieve it from his hotel room, where he was accused of pinning her down on the bed.
- The alleged incident took place in the general news category of crime and justice, but came to light during an investigation into an entirely different matter.
- The Rangers, upon learning about the allegations, commissioned an external law firm to conduct an independent investigation, with the NHL kept informed about the investigation's progress.
- Despite the serious nature of the allegations, there has been no disciplinary action taken against Panarin by the NHL, and he continues to play for the Rangers, being named their MVP for the second consecutive season.
- During a question-and-answer session before their season finale, Panarin, when asked to address the allegations, stayed focused on his sport, dismissing the queries by stating, "I'll just talk about hockey."
