5 Things You Need To Know About The Business Of The World Cup

There’s so much more to the tournament than scandals, corruption and billions in revenue, or is there?

So juicy it needs its own Neflix series,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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5 Things You Need To Know About The Business Of The World Cup

1. We don’t like to throw around stats but they’re important for this one. There’s a reason the World Cup is the world’s most watched sporting event with over 3.2 billion people (essentially half the world’s population) watching the last World Cup. The sport itself is huge. In FIFA’s (Fédération Internationale de Football Association aka International Federation of Association Football) last count, over 265 million people in the world or 4% of the world’s population participates in some form of organized soccer. BY THE NUMBERS

2. The numbers surrounding the tournament are astounding with an expected $6 billion in revenue for FIFA and a prize pool of $791 million, of which $400 million will be awarded to teams based on their performance. WHERE DOES THE REST OF THE MONEY GO?

3. Besides the bragging rights and the eyesore 18-carat gold trophy, teams are competing for some serious prize money. The teams’ national federations will take home $8 million for their team showing up and $38 million in prize money if they finish in first place, $29 million for second and $24 million for third. HOW THE PLAYERS ARE PAID

4. Russia spent over $11 billion in a total of 11 host cities to put on the World Cup. While the tournament may provide a short burst of economic growth, the long-term benefits aren’t there. When countries bid on the tournament, unlike the Olympics where a city submits a bid, they are put through an evaluation process, which some say has been dishonest. At the center of the controversy is the site of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar, which is spending $500 million a week to get ready for the tournament. MORE ON CORRUPTION

5. With this year’s host country (Russia) under sanctions, countries have had to walk a fine line when sending dignitaries to the games. For the first time in a decade, due to political disagreements, a member of England’s royal family will not be in attendance. (Prince William is the president of the Football Association, which is the governing body of football – aka soccer – in England). CONTROVERSIAL RUSSIANS BENEFITTING FROM THE GAMES

We’re just getting started

This is where we talk about the three things happening today that will make your clients clamor and your friends look at you in awe including golf hating on a legend, why it pays to play fair in the World Cup and a whole new meaning to a clean plate. READ

Going Green - 5 Ways Sports Are Leading The Way

Earth Day is around the corner and while Kermit said "it isn't easy being green," these leaders in sports would prove otherwise.

Going the distance,

The Last Night's Game Team

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Going Green - 5 Ways Sports Are Leading The Way

1. The Forest Green Rovers, a soccer team from Western England, are leading the charge to go green. They set an example with their “Greening Up Football” campaign, which includes no meat at the stadium. In fact, the club became 100% vegan in 2015. There no animal products are for sale in the stadium. No milkshakes or meat pies for you.

2. Ohio State University boasts one of the biggest stadiums in college football, seating roughly 105,000. It’s big and mighty and it’s a “zero waste” stadium which means 90% or more of the trash created avoids landfills through recycling, repurposing and composting. The Buckeyes’ home is 95.45% waste free.

3. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been full of controversy (just a light bribery scandal) but one thing we can all agree on is their quest for a zero-carbon tournament. Organizers have pledged that all 12 tournament venues will be zero-carbon emitting, even featuring special climate controls to combat the 100+ degree temps outside. THE FIVE MOST SUSTAINABLE SPORTS VENUES IN THE WORLD. 

4. The San Francisco 49ers (NFL – National Football League) homefield advantage is urban farming. Levi Stadium boasts a 27,000-square foot rooftop farm that generates 500 pounds of produce monthly. The facility is also committed to local sourcing for its food, with 78 percent of its suppliers within 150 miles of the stadium. READ

5. Pocono Motor Speedway’s (NASCAR - National Association For Stock Car Auto Racing) green efforts not only benefit the earth but you. The raceway runs completely on solar power but has an industry specific problem – what to do with as many as 600 used tires after a race? Answer – recycle. The recycled reside from old tires is used in everyday items such as portable speed bumps, the anti-fatigue mat in your kitchen or playgrounds.

- There are nearly 600 teams from 15 different sports in 14 countries who members of the Green Sports Alliance. To find out more about their impact, click here. 

 

Getting to the good stuff

Today’s top three topics in sports are definitely ones you’ll want to share. Find out how Tom Brady is linked to Trump accuser Stormy Daniels (hint: it’s pretty funny), the new basketball friendly wine to try and why Lady Liberty is sporting a winner’s smile this morning. READ IT