Editing 2000s Star Controversy (section)

==Controversy==
A few months before the announcement was scheduled, a report featured on ''The Providence Journal'', Providence's local newspaper, accused the Spirits of using bribery and blackmail to influence the vote in their favor. The report claimed that, as the Doves seemed the favorites to win the star, the Spirits had aimed to use their superior resources and influence to convince the VHF to award them the star.

The report immediately caught fire, circulating the nation and putting the Spirits and the VHF in the spotlight. A number of anonymous VHF officials and voting members came out accusing the Spirits of having requested contact to discuss "business affairs" in the weeks prior. The Spirits vehemently denied these accusations, claiming them to be merely defamation. Some whistleblowers later recanted or altered their claims, while others doubled down on them, painting a confusing picture of the situation.

The Doves themselves were quick to respond to the allegations, taking an aggressive stance against the Spirits. Doves head coach [[Emmanuel Bernardi]] in particular took a famously inflammatory tone.