What is sportswashing? What are some examples in golf, soccer, etc.?

With the new merger between LIV and the PGA, the idea of Sportswashing came to the limelight. This is not something new and is not a foreign concept. For example, Qatar bought PSG, and with it, they made Kilian Mbappe and Lionel Messi the face of their project.

More recently, Saudi Arabia invested a lot of money to get Cristiano Ronaldo to play in their national league. It is a move to show the world that the middle eastern country is ready for business regardless of their beliefs.

But what is sportswashing? And why is it dangerous?

Sportswashing refers to the practice of using sports to improve the reputation of a state or non-state actor. Although there is no universally accepted definition of this term, it generally involves the use of sports as a tool to enhance the image of the participant in question. Sports can be exploited in various ways, but the most common methods include hosting sporting events and owning or sponsoring sports teams and competitions.

Sportswashing is a tactic used to improve the reputation of individuals or states that have been compromised. It aims to protect them from the adverse effects of their actions. Allowing such behavior can encourage a sports organization to engage in more unethical actions and contribute to ineffective leadership.