Washington Capitals say Alex Ovechkin was asked to appear in a political ad for United Russia, the pro-Putin party, while at home this summer.
The team said he was asked, but would not say whether he said yes.
News reports call the ad a political endorsement.
The Washington Post and The Guardian report that the NHL star appears in the ad.
ESPN picked up the team's statement.
Ovechkin has not publicly commented.
The request occurred during his time at home in Russia this summer.
The ad has drawn attention because United Russia supports President Vladimir Putin.
No further details were provided by the Capitals.