Red Penguins is a documentary film directed by Gabe Polsky that delves into the story behind the unlikely partnership between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Russian Red Army hockey team in the early 1990s. A group of American investors, led by businessman Steve Warshaw, saw an opportunity to modernize Russia's hockey league and turn it into a profitable business venture.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's economy was in shambles, and the government was unable to fund the country's top sports teams. The Red Army hockey team, which had a storied history under the Soviet regime, was struggling to attract fans and compete with the newly formed Russian hockey league. Warshaw and his team saw an opportunity to inject some American-style marketing and entertainment into the league, starting with the Red Army team.
The film follows Warshaw and his team as they take over the league and try to implement their vision for Russian hockey. They hire an American coach, install a flashy scoreboard, and even bring in a cheerleading squad to entertain fans during games. The film's title, Red Penguins, comes from the team's new mascot, an Americanized version of the traditional Red Army bear.
However, the partnership between the Penguins and the Red Army team was not without its challenges. The Russian mafia had a strong presence in the league and frequently interfered with the team's operations. Players and coaches were threatened and even kidnapped, and the team's finances were frequently siphoned off by corrupt officials and businessmen.
Red Penguins is a fascinating look at a unique moment in sports and business history. It shows how a group of Americans tried to transplant their capitalist ideals onto a post-Soviet society, and the challenges they faced in doing so. Beyond the hockey story, the film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of doing business in a corrupt and unstable environment.