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.
Scientist Notes
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.
Standards
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Civics
D2.Civ.1.6-8 Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of citizens, political parties, interest groups, and the media in a variety of governmental and nongovernmental contexts.
D2.Civ.3.6-8 Examine the origins, purposes, and impact of constitutions, laws, treaties, and international agreements.
Dimension 2: Economics
D2.Eco.14.6-8 Explain barriers to trade and how those barriers influence trade among nations.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.2 Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
