What began as a bit of sly political theater between Gov. Wes Moore and President Donald Trump over who would fete the U.S. women’s Olympic hockey champions now has a third player who knows a thing or two about commanding a stage: hip-hop icon Flavor Flav.

Known as a champion of women’s athletics who calls himself a “girl dad,” Flavor Flav posted on Bluesky that he also hopes to celebrate the women’s accomplishments this summer. “If the USA Women’s Hockey team wants a real celebration and invite, I’ll host them in Las Vegas,” wrote the rapper, who has four daughters.

“Do some nice dinners and shows and good times. I’m sure I can get a hotel and airline to help me out here and celebrate these women for real for real,” he posted.

If the USA Women’s Hockey team wants a real celebration and invite ,,, I’ll host them in Las Vegas. Do some nice dinners and shows and good times. I’m sure I can get a hotel and airline to help me out here and celebrate these women for real for real.

— FLAVOR FLAV (@flavorflav.bsky.social) 2026-02-23T21:33:21.291Z

The women’s players — or at least some of them — have accepted his invitation, according to the Associated Press.

It all means Maryland faces imposing competition for the time of the Olympians, who are scattered around the country because many play for the Professional Women’s Hockey League or college teams.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Hockey, which oversees the national team, did not respond to questions from The Baltimore Sun on whether the women might accept Moore’s invitation and also come to Maryland.

But the state’s chances don’t seem promising.

Asked who Maryland’s invitation was sent to, the governor’s office said in an email: “We’ve reached out directly to a few players, and they have an open invite.”

So, Flavor Flav seems to have the edge here.

Moore, who may be a future presidential contender, also faces competition for the players’ attention from Trump, who has increasingly become a political foe.

In Moore’s social media video invitation last week, you see him extolling the women’s hockey team for their “resilience” in winning the gold medal.

Then the governor pauses before delivering the telltale line: “Now I know the schedule didn’t line up for you to see the president,” Moore said. “So, I personally wanted to let you know that Annapolis is ready for you.”

He beamed when he said it, enjoying the opportunity to playfully engage the president.

View this post on Instagram

Officially, the first-term Democratic governor’s video was an invitation for the team to come to his official residence to celebrate its overtime win over Canada to cap a triumphant Olympic performance.

But, in truth, Moore’s invitation was something else — an opportunity to tweak Trump — and do it with a smile rather than a scowl.

Trump seemed to slight the women’s team while praising the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team, which also won gold in Italy. In a Feb. 22 congratulatory call to the men, the president joked that he would “probably be impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s players to the White House along with the men.

Moore’s video “is definitely a dig at the president, right?” said Roger Hartley, a professor in the University of Baltimore’s College of Public Affairs.

“It’s kind of, ‘I’m trying to put myself on the national scene.’ It’s kind of rare to see a state invite the national team,” Hartley said.

It’s usually the White House, not state capitals, that invites professional and college championship teams for celebrations. Those invitations have become politicized in recent years, with members of some teams — such as the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles — attending and others, including the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, declining to visit with Trump.

The women’s team politely declined to attend last Tuesday’s State of the Union address by the president, saying the players were bound by previous commitments. Members of the men’s team attended and received a standing ovation, and goalie Connor Hellebuyck was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Trump said in his speech that the women had been invited to the White House, but it’s not clear if and when that will happen.

“As the President and U.S. women’s hockey team have stated, we look forward to hosting them at the White House after their tremendous victory and celebration,” the White House told The Sun.

Coming up in Annapolis this week

• Budget hearings continue.
• Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee considers education policy bills

Have a news tip? Contact jebarker@baltsun.com