• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 3, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

FIFA Brings in Record Haul for Scandal-Plagued World Cup

  • FIFA said it will earn a record $7.5 billion in this four-year cycle.
  • Qatar’s treatment of media members has caused alarm.
2022 World Cup banners outside stadiums in Qatar
Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

A steady stream of controversy hasn’t stopped FIFA from earning an incredible sum from this year’s World Cup.

Soccer’s global governing body said Sunday that it banked a record $7.5 billion in commercial deals for the four years associated with this World Cup.

  • That sum represents an increase of more than $1 billion from the four-year cycle associated with the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
  • Sponsors from host country Qatar helped drive revenue. Qatar Energy is a top-tier sponsor of the tournament, while bank QNB and telecom company Ooredoo are third-tier.
  • FIFA’s reserves will reach around $2.5 billion.

The tournament could reach over 5 billion viewers, more than 60% of the world’s population.

Watching the Media

The nature of the media coverage and treatment of media members have both received ample negative attention in the tournament’s early stages. 

Writer Grant Wahl said he was detained and had his phone temporarily confiscated for refusing to take off a shirt that showed a soccer ball surrounded by a circular rainbow. Security officials said the shirt was political and could lead to issues in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal. 

New York Times reporter Andrew Das was also briefly detained after Wahl told him what was happening in the middle of the incident.

Fox, which holds English-language rights to the World Cup in the U.S., has received broad criticism for ignoring Qatar’s human rights issues.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Cal mascot, Oski

How the Calgorithm Turned College Football Twitter Into Real Life

“College GameDay” makes its first trip to Berkeley on Saturday.

Carson Beck Among Four Georgia Players Teaming Up With Chipotle

Beck has an NIL valuation of $1.8 million, per On3.

WNBA Viewership Dips Without Clark, but Still Setting Records

Game 1 between the Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx drew 654,000 viewers.
Apr 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The cleats of Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) as he runs the bases against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park.

MLB Players Are Clamoring for Swag. Outfitting Them Is Big Business

Sliding mitts, cleats, and belts are fun, flashy, and lucrative.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Domantas Sabonis on Life Behind Scenes of NBA Stars

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

The Padres’ Future Is on the Line This Postseason

The MLB playoffs could determine the team’s path forward.
Aug 3, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Barcelona midfielder Pau Victor (8) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second half of an international friendly against Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium. V
September 29, 2024

FC Barcelona’s Overspending Triggered a Crisis. Has It Tightened Its Belt Enough?

The club is betting on their middle-road strategy to dig out.
Sep 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Nike shoes worn by Seattle Storm center Mercedes Russell in the first half against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
opinion
September 28, 2024

New Nike CEO Must Do It

The biggest task the new CEO faces is intangible: Refresh the brand.
Sprinter Gabby Thomas
September 25, 2024

Alexis Ohanian’s Big-Money Women’s Track Experiment Is Here

“Track and field needs them to pull it off,” said one agent.

Nike CFO Says ‘Adversity Creates Sharper Focus’

Amid a downbeat but expected set of earnings, Nike says it sees signs of optimism.
Crypto.com soccer advertising
September 15, 2024

The Champions League Is Back. So Is Crypto Sponsorship

Crypto investment is making its debut in the biggest European soccer competition.
A Nike swoosh on a building in Eugene, Oregon.
September 23, 2024

Wall Street: Things Will Get Worse for Nike Before They Get Better

Some analysts are skeptical of how much the new CEO will change.
Sponsored

Trend Report: Chiefs-Chargers, Tobacco Road Rivalry, Nebraska Sellout Streak

According to data from TickPick, some games this week will prove to be wallet-busters, climbing into the four figures.
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) warms up before a game against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium.
September 12, 2024

The NFL’s Private Equity Era Won’t Be the Bloodbath You Think—for Now

“It’s a different kind of investment thesis entirely.”
ESPN commentator Jay Williams speaking at a conference.
September 11, 2024

Jay Williams Supports PE in College Sports: ‘I Would Like to Own 49% of Duke Basketball’

Williams wants in when PE gets into college sports.
Aug 25, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; A detailed view of New England Patriots footballs on the field before the game against the Washington Commanders at Commanders Field.
opinion
September 1, 2024

The NFL Let the Private Equity ‘Barbarians’ Through the Gate

Fans will barely see any change from the arrival of PE money.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.