Sponsors of the Ice Hockey World Championship are stepping up pressure on the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) over the potential return of Russia to international competition, according to a report by the Associated Press.
The development comes as major commercial partners, including automotive manufacturer Skoda, seek clarity on the participation of Russian teams following their exclusion after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The IIHF has maintained a ban on Russian and Belarusian teams, but sponsors are reportedly concerned about the tournament's commercial viability and global appeal without Russia's involvement.
File photos from the 2021 championship in Riga show Russia competing against the Czech Republic, highlighting the team's previous presence at the top level. The IIHF has not announced a timeline for any potential reinstatement.
