New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin and franchise owner Madison Square Garden Sports reached financial settlements with a team employee last year, following her accusations of sexual assault against Panarin. The allegations and settlements were initially reported by Katie Strang of The Athletic; the alleged incident occurred in a hotel room in December 2023, with the settlement finalized in August 2024. After the settlement agreement, the employee left the organization.
Interestingly, the report from The Athletic surfaced just one day after Panarin was awarded the team MVP and recognized with the Good Guy Award by Rangers media. This prestigious award is given to a player deemed easiest for reporters to engage with throughout the season. A tweet from reporter Mollie Walker highlighted Panarin’s reputation, noting, “No one is easier to talk to than No. 10,” and emphasized that he could have won this honor every season he’s been in New York.
Along with Team MVP, Artemi Panarin is also named Good Guy by #NYR media.
Panarin could’ve won this award every single season he’s been in New York, in my opinion, but you can only win it once and he stepped up this season.
No one is easier to talk to than No. 10.
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) April 16, 2025
While it’s unclear if the reporters who voted for Panarin were aware of the allegations or the settlement with his accuser, the timing of these revelations casts a peculiar shadow over the recognition he received. According to The Athletic, the alleged assault happened during a Rangers road trip. The female employee, part of the traveling party, claimed Panarin took her phone at a postgame gathering, stating he would only return it if she came to his hotel room. Upon her arrival, she alleged Panarin pinned her to the bed, but she managed to push him off, retrieve her phone, and leave the room.
Both the woman and an MSG Sports spokesperson indicated to The Athletic that “the matter has been resolved.” However, Panarin and his agent did not respond to requests for further comment. Notably, the accuser did not report the incident to the police or immediately inform the team. Three months after the alleged assault, the female employee was placed on paid leave while under investigation for a separate issue involving sharing anti-anxiety medicine with a player. It was during that investigation that she expressed feeling unfairly treated and subsequently disclosed the alleged sexual assault to the team.
