sportswashing
/ˈspɔːrtsˌwɒʃɪŋ/
Definition
The practice of using a high-profile sporting event or sponsorship to distract from a corporation or country's negative public image, ethical controversies, or human rights abuses.
Etymology
The word is a portmanteau formed by combining 'sports' and the suffix '-washing,' modeled after 'whitewashing' (to gloss over defects). It gained traction in the 21st century to describe the strategic use of sports to improve a tarnished reputation.
In the news
In this article, protesters used the term to accuse corporate sponsors of the 2026 World Cup of using the tournament to mask their own negative records, such as immigration raids or child labor allegations. It highlights the tension between major sports branding and the ethical accountability of the companies involved.
Mental health phone line
Read the full article ↗LAist