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Attention travel industry: the black travel alliance is just getting started.

W hat began as a series of Zoom calls for Black and Brown travel content creators at the height of the pandemic transformed into the Black Travel Alliance (BTA) — a group working to amplify Black voices.

Bloggers Jeffrey Jenkins and Gabby Beckford hosted weekly masterminds to help keep each other inspired and share opportunities during times of uncertainty in the travel industry. When #BlackOutTuesday hit social media, many brands posted black screens of solidarity, but these creators knew they needed to do more to hold companies accountable.

With the focus placed on action over discussion and the drive for Black content creators to get the same opportunities as everyone else, the Black Travel Alliance was formed. Its founding members include Black travel bloggers, entrepreneurs, journalists, and podcasters, all of whom want to see real change in the industry. The BTA is a two-pronged organization that works to hold brands and businesses answerable for their diversity and inclusion efforts and serves as a resource for Black content creators. With 11 separate committees, the organization is tackling everything from research to partnerships.

In an interview with some of BTA’s founding members, we spoke to Martinique Lewis , author of The ABC Travel Green Book and Diversity in Travel Consultant. She stressed the importance of creating this alliance to hold the travel industry accountable for the allyship they present for Black lives online.

“These are the same companies who have not returned our phone calls, who have not returned our emails, and if they do hire us, they pay us way less than our colleagues,” Lewis says.

On June 16, 2020, BTA’s initial campaign, #PullUpForTravel, launched the group’s mission of alliance, amplification (of Black voices), and accountability. Strategically, travel brands had until Juneteenth (June 19) to go beyond their Black squares and present data. The alliance demanded that brands back up their messages of solidarity with their numbers on Black representation across employment, marketing, press, and philanthropy efforts. Some travel companies provided Black HR data while others included partnerships with Black-led organizations like the NAACP and marketing agency Black Girl Digital .

Offering free online education seminars and online support

Beyond its first campaign, the BTA has plans to keep the conversation going year-round. Every month it hosts events that serve the purpose of helping content creators or educating industry professionals. Their first webinar, “ Using Your Niche To Build An Engaged Audience ,” was held on August 22 and was led by Beckford. Last month, a luxury travel expert, Tomiko Harvey , shared her tips in the “ How To Elevate Your Business With SEO ” workshop.

Helping more Black people to succeed and get jobs in the industry

Besides providing education, the BTA is actively working to source and offer scholarships for Black creators in the future. Lewis says, “When Black content creators can’t make it to the WTM (World Travel Market) or the ITB [Convention] — all the different travel conferences — we want to be able to help somebody get there.”

In addition to financial scholarships, the organization regularly posts job opportunities to its website. As a conduit, they work to connect content creators with travel industry brands who may have once overlooked them. “If Expedia says we want to employ 20 percent of Black writers, we want to be able to say you can get that through the people at BTA”, Lewis explains. BTA exists to be a resource for Black creators to excel in this industry.

Sourcing partnerships that will benefit Black travel content creators

Due to the BTA’s many levels and functions, multiple chairpeople oversee their mode of the organization. We spoke with Xavier of Black Voyageurs about his role as Chair of Partnerships and Martina Jones-Johnson of That Couple That Travels about her communications co-chair role.

Speaking to his frustrations around not seeing enough Black folks represented in the travel industry, Xavier decided to get involved as a founding member of the alliance. As Head of Partnerships, he’s tasked with establishing connections with organizations, including travel brands, tourism boards, and lifestyle brands who should be collaborating with Black creators.

Based in London, Xavier and the team are adamant about identifying global partnerships that all Black travel content creators can benefit from. “We believe it’s a global movement that doesn’t stop at the US borders.” They strategically choose to partner with companies with international branches in other countries and smaller brands representing one country alone. With the intent to expand, the BTA currently focuses on partnerships in the US and Western Europe (the UK and France) due to the high Black populations in these countries.

In the future, ideal partnerships for the organization will look to brands who use their forthcoming content creators directory and, ultimately, provide paid opportunities and jobs for BTA members. Xavier’s team works so that the best options are available for Black people in this white-dominated industry.

Reinforcing the idea of why brands need to work with Black creators, Xavier explains, “We’re not asking for charity; we are asking for a place at the table because this is where we need to be.” He nods to the fact that, yes, Black people exist, but we also spend a lot of money, so brands need to recognize that working with Black travel creators is great for their bottom line.

Building a global bank of data on Black travelers

“There’s only so much you can do without data,” Xavier stresses. So the BTA team is also working hard to conduct the research representative of Black travelers. Other than Mandala Research , there is no other organization or firm concerned with collecting data on Black American travelers’ demographics. Black travel company, Nomadness Travel Tribe put out a survey this summer to begin diving into the research behind Black millennial travelers’ habits, but the BTA’s research will focus on collecting data on Black travelers globally.

“We have all these numbers about African Americans, but we need numbers on Black tourists globally too,” Lewis shares.

Advocating for all Black voices throughout the industry

Communications co-chair Martina Jones-Johnson spoke to the death of George Floyd and how his unjust killing shined a light on companies in the travel industry performatively advocating for Black lives. “We know 10 Black people who wanted to work with you, and you ignored their emails … so do Black lives really matter to you?” Jones-Johnson questions. She added how tiring it was to see some travel companies standing for Black people while having an all-white Instagram feed.

As the media relations and communications expert at BTA, she works closely with the membership team so that everyone, specifically Black content creators, knows who they are. Jones-Johnson’s role involves reaching out to national travel publications for interviews to get the word out about the organization. Her goal is for every Black content creator in any country to know that the BTA is advocating for them throughout the industry.

To continually amplify Black voices, there is also a Black travel content creator directory in the works. Jones-Johnson says this directory will eliminate brands’ excuse of not knowing where to find Black talent. The BTA directory will be searchable by content category, such as luxury or adventure travel.

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History of Black Travel

A timeline tracing the history of Black travelers through the centuries

Black Travel Alliance Board Members

United States – Black Travel Alliance

The Black Travel Alliance was launched on June 16th, 2020 by a group of Black Travel Content Creators from across the globe. As travel authors, bloggers, broadcasters, journalists, photographers, podcasters, social media influencers, and vloggers, they unified to amplify.

The Black Travel Alliance also aims to provide training and business support to their members, as well as hold destinations and travel brands accountable on the issue of diversity in travel marketing and storytelling. Their mission is to support Black Travel Content Creators around the world and increase their representation in the travel industry, including but not limited to employment, conferences, and media. Their three pillars of the community are alliance, amplification, and accountability.

References:

  • Black Travel Alliance. 2020. “ Black Travel Alliance .”
  • Talty, Alexandra. 2020. “ Black Travel Alliance Launches Campaign To Hold Industry Accountable For Lack Of Diversity .” Forbes.
  • Beauregard, Natalie. 2020. “ Black Travel Alliance Holds Travel Brands Accountable With New Campaign .” AFAR.
  • Black Travel Alliance Board Members, 2020.

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Black Travel Alliance Wants to Hold Travel Brands Accountable

By Shauna Beni

Streetcar in New Orleans

For many Black people, travel begins by acknowledging that the tourist experience isn't the same for everyone. Black travelers are often judged by the color of their skin, and make travel decisions based on perceptions of how they'll be treated once they arrive. But the pivotal information of whether hotels and destinations actively support Black travelers is largely absent from mainstream conversations. The Black Travel Alliance , a new initiative launching today in support of true diversity across the travel industry, from increasing hotel employment to calling for more representation in destination marketing content and travel panels, aims to change that.

The Alliance, which was formed in March at the onset of the pandemic, began as a venue for Black creators to discuss how travelers would begin navigating the new normal after COVID-19 , according to travel blogger and launch member Martina Jones . “We started having a mastermind every Friday to talk about how we could still serve our audiences, and also to support one another," she says. "Then, when George Floyd died, we were like, 'Okay, enough is enough.'”

The death of Houston native George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police department was captured on video, setting off Black Lives Matter protests around the world against police brutality, and against systemic racism more broadly. In response, many companies posted blank black squares to their social media feeds in an attempted show of solidarity. But this recent wave of violence has incited calls for greater action against racism, sparking intense conversations about the inclusion of Black voices and faces across all industries, from food and beverage to music and travel.

“Right now, so many brands are saying they support Black people in light of everything that's going on,” says Jones. "But the number of Black people who hold these positions and create content doesn’t support their statements. We created an organization that will hold the industry accountable.”

One of the Alliance's launch initiatives is the Black Travel Scorecard, which will evaluate destinations and travel brands under five key areas. Employment grades the number of Black people in management positions (and within various staff roles) at hotels and at travel marketing agencies; other categories, including conferences and trade shows, marketing campaigns, and press, examine the representation of Black people on speaker panels, in print and digital media, on television, and on press trips. The last area, philanthropy, will evaluate organizations based on their support for community groups and charities.

Inspired by UOMA Beauty founder Sharon Chuter's #PullUpOrShutUp campaign, the Alliance is launching #PullUpForTravel, asking travel brands to post their Travel Scorecard results on their social channels to demonstrate their commitment to action. They are calling for brands to share their metrics by this Friday, or Juneteenth , an annual holiday commemorating the emancipation of the last remaining slaves in the United States.

“We’re not trying to shame anyone,” says Jones. “We already know nine times out of 10 that their numbers are probably not where they need to be. We want to see where they’re at in terms of representation on their teams. From there, we can work on improving it down the line. This will make things better not just for us, but also for them: When they have proper representation, they're going to transform their businesses as well.”

Several mainstream travel brands and publications (including this one ) have acknowledged their failure in employing and commissioning Black talent. “I’m so tired of knocking on locked doors, tired of being treated differently in the travel industry because I look different,” says author and content creator Kerwin McKenzie , another launch member. “There is an amazing amount of Black talent, but you don’t see much of it because it’s so difficult to attract advertisers and people who want to showcase us and our work. We have influence, and if we can get one brand to know we exist and align with us, it’s a win for us all.”

The Alliance also has important ramifications for consumers. Many Black travelers decide where to travel by word of mouth from close friends and family, and from seeing influencers who look like them. This process stems from a very real fear that they won't be welcomed—or worse, that they'll be outrightly discriminated against—in their destination of choice, where locals may have limited exposure to Black figures. If destinations broadened their marketing campaigns to include Black people, this could encourage hospitality staff and locals to treat Black travelers with respect. The Alliance also encourages the exposure of more Black-owned businesses, including tour groups like Experience Real Cartagena and African Lisbon Tours , which seek to amplify Black history or culture in a destination.

Ultimately, the Alliance believes that pushing for this data, and for change as a response to it, will demonstrate true allyship and help to address the lack of diversity within the travel space—because in an industry that's predicated on hospitality, it's time for everyone to feel welcome.

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WHETHER YOU’RE DISCOVERING YOUR ROOTS OR BRANCHING OUT TO OTHER DESTINATIONS, THESE TIPS WILL HELP YOU MAKE EVERY TRIP MORE MEMORABLE

June 03, 2024 | 4 min read.

Sarah Enelow-Snyder

Black Americans have been traveling ambitiously for generations. Trains, buses and cars helped Black families move up North and out West during the Great Migration that occurred between the 1910s and 1970, and those same vehicles took us back down South to visit family and friends. The Green Book, a guidebook for Black drivers during segregation, made road trips much safer and even offered information on Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Then as the Civil Rights Era progressed, air travel desegregated, making going overseas more possible.

Today, the Black travel market is robust. Black American travelers spent $109.4 billion on domestic leisure trips in 2019, according to a report by research firm MMGY Travel Intelligence.

man and woman in car singing and driving

Despite the resilience of Black travel, the community faces risks on the road. Black drivers are more likely to be stopped and searched than their white counterparts, according to research from New York University and Stanford University published in 2020, and some of these stops have become violent if not fatal. Discrimination also happens during air travel and in certain destinations, prompting the NAACP to issue travel advisories.

Traveling while Black can be challenging, both in the US and abroad. Here are some helpful strategies for planning trips in a way that’s not just safe but also enjoyable, educational and deeply personal.

atlantic city

1. LEARN YOUR DESTINATION’S BACKSTORY Tapping into a place’s Black history can turn a regular outing into something more memorable. Black resorts in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts; and Sag Harbor, New York—among others—were havens for Black families during the early to late 20th century. And, although the Green Book has been out of publication for decades, some hotels that were listed in it are still here and sharing their stories, like The Historic Magnolia House in North Carolina. Famous Black authors, artists and activists who traveled abroad during the 20th century continue to inspire people’s trips today, like Maya Angelou and Malcolm X in Accra, Ghana, or James Baldwin and Josephine Baker in Paris.

The ABC Travel Green Book

2. USE THE MODERN-DAY ‘GREEN BOOK’ The Black Travel Movement—an online community that encourages Black people to travel far and wide—does what the Green Book once did: It keeps Black travelers informed, connected and safe. Leading the movement is Nomadness Travel Tribe, a 70,000-follower Facebook group that’s been around since 2011. It’s one of the best ways to get useful intel in real time and connect with people who will be on the ground wherever you’re heading. There’s also The ABC Travel Green Book by diversity consultant Martinique Lewis, an updated version of the original Green Book that’s international in scope and also available as an app.

AAA Travel Advisors can provide vacation planning guidance to make your next trip unforgettable. Find a Travel Advisor

3. FIND BLACK SERVICE PROVIDERS Black hoteliers, restaurateurs and tour guides can tell local stories and acquaint you with the global African diaspora. A great resource for finding Black-owned businesses (BOBs) is the Black Elevation Map. The ABC Travel Green Book is full of BOBs, too.

Woman stands with summer dress by the sea in Axim Ghana

4. CONSIDER YOUR ROOTS Heritage trips to Africa can be especially transformative. Many Black Americans struggle to trace our roots on paper, in part because during slavery and segregation, we were barred from voting, marrying, owning property and doing other things that carried official documentation. That’s where a DNA test can fill in some gaps and introduce us to places in Africa of meaning to us. There are companies that specialize in this type of trip-planning.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan, South Korea

5. OR BRANCH OUT FROM YOUR ROOTS In addition to celebrating the African diaspora, the Black Travel Movement shows that Black people can travel anywhere and everywhere. Social media can help you find knowledgeable Black expats in places like South Korea or Turkey that see relatively few Black visitors.

6. SPEAK UP ABOUT DISCRIMINATION Members of Nomadness routinely discuss their positive and negative experiences on planes, in hotels and on the ground in their destinations. It’s designed to be a safe space to talk about discrimination, and the more we talk openly, the better we can help each other. Many influencers also share their opinions on traveling while Black, as Emmy-winning media personality Oneika Raymond does on her blog and on Instagram.

The logistics of travel may have changed a lot over the last few generations, but for Black Americans, the tradition of travel is strong as ever. The digital connections between us will open up more destinations for years to come.

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The Black-Owned Business Of Travel 

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

Although Black people are a minority—the Pew Research Center notes that only 14.4 percent of the U.S. population is Black—we have a lot of purchasing power . In a report by CNBC, Black people’s buying power in 2019 was $1.4 trillion; and that number is expected to hit $1.8 trillion this year. Yet some companies and brands deliberately exclude Black consumers. This state of affairs is reflected across many industries, including the travel space—where diversity, representation and inclusion are lacking. Given that Black Americans spent over $100 billion on leisure travel in 2019 (according to The Black Traveler Report published by MMGY Global), as you book your next vacation, consider supporting an enterprise that is helping to create one-of-a-kind experiences for Black people —by Black people.

Pack Your Bags

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

The vibrant colors and patterns printed on Wndr Ln luggage are inspired by the travels of entrepreneur and globe-trotter Tina Wells. The brand offers travel solutions from an overnight bag and packing cubes to a self-care kit for long flights, a carry-on suitcase and magnetic silicone travel bottles. The complete line of sustainable travel accessories can be found at Target, or online at wndrln.com .

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

There’s a reason MinkeeBlue was a winner on America’s Big Deal. The brand has streamlined travel with stylish, functional and practical bags, created by Sherrill Mosee. The day bags and backpacks come with a collapsible utility shelf, allowing you to customize your organization. -MinkeeBlue’s packing solutions are designed to fit everything you need for exploring your destination and navigating airports—a change of clothes, your laptop, an extra pair of shoes and even your lunch—all in one bag. minkeeblue.com

Travel Tribes

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

The brainchild of world travelers and industry trailblazers Martinique Lewis and Ashley Company, BLACK IN was created to connect Black jet-setters around the world. The company also curates itineraries that center the Black experience, in countries such as Belize, Amsterdam, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, throughout the year. If that isn’t enough, the business goes even further—partnering with Black-owned tour operators, restaurants and hotels to continue circulating the Black dollar. abctravelnetwork.com

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

Single Parents Who Travel

Ten years ago, Tomika Anderson founded Single Parents Who Travel as an online community to connect like-minded single-parent explorers. Today, her group has expanded to more than 10,000 global members. In a partnership with travel-services company Platinum Plus Vacations, Anderson assists families in planning vacations by offering all-inclusive luxury travel that centers parent and child while also providing flexible payment plans. In addition, she hosts annual trips to destinations such as Costa Rica, Mexico and Dubai for group members and their kids. singleparentswhotravel.com

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

Outdoor Inclusion Coalition

Segregation and Jim Crow laws affected Black people in every sphere, including restricting their ability to enjoy some state parks and public outdoor spaces. Although we are several decades past that era, organizations like the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition are doing the work to ensure diversity and equity in nature’s spaces. Founder Marcus Shoffner actively promotes travel to the state parks in Pennsylvania; and the Coalition has also curated programs centered around activities like skiing, climbing and camping, to draw underrepresented people to the great outdoors. theoic.org

Check Into a Bed & Breakfast

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

Celestine Bed & Breakfast

There is no better feeling than being welcomed in a home away from home, especially when you’re surrounded by “kinfolk.” And that’s what you’ll get in Pensacola, Florida, when you stay at Celestine Bed & Breakfast. Since they opened the business in April 2023, siblings Cornelia Robinson Edwards and Gerald Robinson have aimed to provide unmatched southern hospitality and charm that will make you feel like family from the moment you walk through the door. celestinebedandbreakfast.com

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

Morehead Manor Bed & Breakfast

Over two decades ago, Monica and Daniel Edwards launched Morehead Manor in Durham, North Carolina. The rooms were designed with relaxation in mind, free from televisions and distractions. The spot is a quaint respite, centrally located just blocks away from top attractions. Guests can spend time in the outdoor space or unwind with movies, books and games in one of the common areas. And it doesn’t get much better than welcoming travelers into your home with fresh-baked desserts like carrot cake and pies. moreheadmanor.com

Secure a Tour

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

Underground Concierge

When you reach a destination, you should fully dive into it—by booking a tour with local guides, who can take you beyond tourist areas and attractions and give you an experience you can’t get on your own. In New Orleans, the person you need is Ari Oliver of Underground Concierge. Oliver offers customized itineraries, consultations and full-on tour services. You will eat, drink, shop and live like a local, with the help of one of the Big Easy’s best. instagram.com/undergroundconcierge

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

Maximum Impact Travel

After exploring the continent for himself, and realizing that Africa looks completely different from the images seen in Western media, Jay Cameron started Maximum Impact Travel. His services are tailored to tourists interested in experiencing the homeland and the African diaspora. Whatever you choose to explore, from historic sites to breathtaking shoreline views, Cameron’s expertise can guide you as you experience an unforgettable journey through the Motherland. maximumimpacttravel.com

The Black-Owned Business Of Travel

Afro-Latino Travels with Kim Haas

A report by the Pew Research Center revealed that one-fourth of the roughly 600 million people in Latin America have African ancestry. The PBS and Create TV Network show Afro-Latino Travels with Kim Haas enlightens viewers on this heritage. As host of the only travel-TV series exclusively highlighting Afro-Latino communities within Latin America, Haas teaches viewers about the African influences in countries like Brazil, Honduras, Guatemala and Colombia. And as one of the few Black women hosting a travel show, she has created an entertaining, educational program that also provides representation. travelswithkimhaas.com

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A civil rights organization may warn Black travelers from using American Airlines after a spate of racial-discrimination claims

  • The NAACP has warned American Airlines it could caution Black passengers away from the carrier.
  • It follows a lawsuit alleging eight Black men were unfairly removed from a flight.
  • The NAACP previously issued a travel warning against AA in 2017.

Insider Today

A civil rights organization has warned American Airlines that it could issue an advisory cautioning Black passengers about potential discrimination.

The annoucement from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), comes as a result of a lawsuit filed against American Airlines by three Black men last month.

Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Xavier Veal boarded an American Airlines plane in Phoenix in January.

The three men — who said they had never met before and weren't seated together — were removed from the plane, along with five other Black men, the lawsuit said.

The complaint says an airline representative told the men they were removed from the flight because a someone had complained about an offensive body odor.

The body odor complaint came from a white male flight attendant, the lawsuit said.

It added that the men were then allowed to reboard the flight, which was delayed for over an hour as a result.

Related stories

"Imagine a flight attendant ordering every white person off a plane because of a complaint about one white person. That would never happen. But that is what happened to us. There is no explanation other than the color of our skin," the plaintiffs said in a statement shared with Business Insider.

In 2017, the NAACP issued a travel warning against American Airlines following several reports of discrimination against Black passengers. The warning was lifted the following year after the carrier agreed to terms, including the creation of a diversity, equity, and inclusion advisory council.

"Amidst the resurgence of attacks on DEI, American Airlines disbanded the panel in 2023," said Derrick Johnson, the president and CEO of the NAACP, in a Tuesday statement.

"Recent discriminatory actions from company employees prove that there is a dire need for continued accountability and resolution to this clear pattern," he added.

Earlier this year, a former judge said she was racially discriminated against by American Airlines as a flight attendant made her use an economy bathroom even though she was stting in first class.

Johnson called on American Airlines to bring back the DEI panel and meet with the NAACP to work on a path forward.

He added: "Without a swift and decisive response, the NAACP will be forced to reinstate an advisory against the airline."

In a statement sent to Business Insider, the company said: "At American, every customer should feel valued and represented and have a positive experience while traveling with us."

"We have worked with the NAACP to institute education and training programs to address issues of bias on our aircraft and within our hiring practices to eliminate bias and create a workforce and customer experience that represents the customers we serve."

Watch: 5 times unruly passengers disrupted flights in 2023

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Gagarin Cup Preview: Atlant vs. Salavat Yulaev

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Gagarin cup (khl) finals:  atlant moscow oblast vs. salavat yulaev ufa.

Much like the Elitserien Finals, we have a bit of an offense vs. defense match-up in this league Final.  While Ufa let their star top line of Alexander Radulov, Patrick Thoresen and Igor Grigorenko loose on the KHL's Western Conference, Mytischi played a more conservative style, relying on veterans such as former NHLers Jan Bulis, Oleg Petrov, and Jaroslav Obsut.  Just reaching the Finals is a testament to Atlant's disciplined style of play, as they had to knock off much more high profile teams from Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg to do so.  But while they did finish 8th in the league in points, they haven't seen the likes of Ufa, who finished 2nd. 

This series will be a challenge for the underdog, because unlike some of the other KHL teams, Ufa's top players are generally younger and in their prime.  Only Proshkin amongst regular blueliners is over 30, with the work being shared by Kirill Koltsov (28), Andrei Kuteikin (26), Miroslav Blatak (28), Maxim Kondratiev (28) and Dmitri Kalinin (30).  Oleg Tverdovsky hasn't played a lot in the playoffs to date.  Up front, while led by a fairly young top line (24-27), Ufa does have a lot of veterans in support roles:  Vyacheslav Kozlov , Viktor Kozlov , Vladimir Antipov, Sergei Zinovyev and Petr Schastlivy are all over 30.  In fact, the names of all their forwards are familiar to international and NHL fans:  Robert Nilsson , Alexander Svitov, Oleg Saprykin and Jakub Klepis round out the group, all former NHL players.

For Atlant, their veteran roster, with only one of their top six D under the age of 30 (and no top forwards under 30, either), this might be their one shot at a championship.  The team has never won either a Russian Superleague title or the Gagarin Cup, and for players like former NHLer Oleg Petrov, this is probably the last shot at the KHL's top prize.  The team got three extra days rest by winning their Conference Final in six games, and they probably needed to use it.  Atlant does have younger regulars on their roster, but they generally only play a few shifts per game, if that. 

The low event style of game for Atlant probably suits them well, but I don't know how they can manage to keep up against Ufa's speed, skill, and depth.  There is no advantage to be seen in goal, with Erik Ersberg and Konstantin Barulin posting almost identical numbers, and even in terms of recent playoff experience Ufa has them beat.  Luckily for Atlant, Ufa isn't that far away from the Moscow region, so travel shouldn't play a major role. 

I'm predicting that Ufa, winners of the last Superleague title back in 2008, will become the second team to win the Gagarin Cup, and will prevail in five games.  They have a seriously well built team that would honestly compete in the NHL.  They represent the potential of the league, while Atlant represents closer to the reality, as a team full of players who played themselves out of the NHL. 

  • Atlant @ Ufa, Friday Apr 8 (3:00 PM CET/10:00 PM EST)
  • Atlant @ Ufa, Sunday Apr 10 (1:00 PM CET/8:00 AM EST)
  • Ufa @ Atlant, Tuesday Apr 12 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)
  • Ufa @ Atlant, Thursday Apr 14 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)

Games 5-7 are as yet unscheduled, but every second day is the KHL standard, so expect Game 5 to be on Saturday, like an early start. 

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