Freakonomics Radio 506. What Is Sportswashing (and Does It Work)?
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Jun 9, 2022 
Victor Matheson, an expert in sports economics, and Alan Shipnuck, a seasoned golf journalist, dive into the intriguing world of sportswashing. They explore how nations like Saudi Arabia use sporting events to enhance their global image, despite underlying human rights issues. The conversation highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by athletes and critiques the motivations behind new golf leagues challenging traditional formats. They also discuss the murky legacy of the Qatar World Cup, revealing the corruption and absurdities in hosting major events.
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Sportswashing vs. Reputation Laundering
- Sportswashing uses sporting events to cover up national problems.
- This is similar to reputation laundering, like Carnegie building libraries.
Bread and Circuses
- Governments have used distractions like sports for centuries.
- The Roman poet Juvenal coined the term "bread and circuses" for this.
Modern Sportswashing Examples
- Countries like Russia and China use sportswashing to improve their image.
- They want to appear less oppressive than they actually are.