The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is expected to be watched by 5 billion people around the world, far surpassing the record 3.5 billion who tuned in to the 2018 edition in Russia.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino publicized the anticipated number on Monday for the first World Cup in the Middle East. Fox purchased the English broadcasting rights for the 2018 and 2022 tournament for $400 million.

The estimate comes amid criticism over the country’s human rights abuses and treatment of migrant workers.

• Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani said while the state is “not perfect,” it has pushed reforms and development. New rules in the country include a higher minimum wage and more protections for workers.
• Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, and some soccer players are concerned about LGBT+ and women traveling to watch the tournament.

Tournament organizers have clarified that everyone is welcome to the country, but have also warned to avoid public displays of affection.

At A Crossbar

The event is set to be just as popular in person as it is on screens. As of April, ticket sales to the 2022 World Cup were on the best pace since 2014, but with the growing number comes growing concerns over accommodations. 

Between January and March, FIFA sold more than 800,000 tickets, but Qatar’s Supreme Committee told the Associated Press that only about 90,000 rooms will be available to the public.

The Washington Commanders are designing a stadium that may be unlike any professional sports facility in the country.

The stadium’s exterior would be able to change colors, according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Other features include:

• A translucent roof that would allow both natural light and climate control.
• An eco-friendly “heavy timber” construction process.

In addition to the stadium itself, the Commanders are drawing up plans for a $3 billion “mini-city” which would include an amphitheater, restaurants, bars, office space, and a convention center.

The team recently acquired the option to purchase 200 acres of land in Virginia’s Prince William County for $100 million. A bill providing an estimated $350 million in public funding for the project is expected to pass the state’s legislature within a month.

Snyder Out?

Commanders’ owner Dan Snyder could soon be forced out of the league over allegations of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety. 

Owners may hold a vote on removing him from his post following an investigation by former SEC chair Mary Jo White. NFL bylaws require 24 of 32 owners to pass a motion to remove an owner.

The International Olympic Committee generated $7.6 billion in revenue in the 2017 to 2020-21 cycle, compared to $5.7 billion in revenue for the previous Olympiad, according to the organization’s financial statements for FY2021.

The IOC reeled in $4.2 billion in revenue in 2021 alone driven by the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games. 

• Television broadcasting rights made up $3.1 billion of the revenue that year.
• Cash and cash equivalents hit $548.9 million in 2021, down from $866.6 million in 2020.
• Total assets as of Dec. 31, 2021, were $5.6 billion, down from $5.7 billion the year prior. 

In addition to the IOC, the Olympics have deepened the pockets of broadcasters. Comcast, the owner of NBCUniversal, generated $1.5 billion in revenue in Q1 2022 from the Beijing Winter Olympics and Super Bowl LVI, which collectively accounted for 21.6% of NBCUniversal’s media revenue in the quarter. The Beijing Games alone generated $963 million in revenue. 

Digital Age 

The Olympics have benefited from a digital age that continues to evolve. The IOC deemed Tokyo 2020 “the most digital Games ever,” behind the 3 billion unique viewers it garnered across linear TV and digital platforms for the 17-day event.

Discovery reported that more than 372 million people in Europe watched coverage of the Games, a 10% increase compared to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu has resigned amid a federal corruption investigation concerning the $320 million sale of Angel Stadium, the home field of the Los Angeles Angels since 1966. 

Sidhu, who was elected as mayor of the Southern California city in 2018, has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing but is being accused of bribery, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Sidhu denies the allegations and resigned from his role “to continue to act in the best interests of Anaheim,” according to a statement by his attorney, Paul Meyer. 

• In a filed affidavit, an FBI special agent alleges that Sidhu gave the Angels confidential information at least twice during the city’s negotiations with the team.
• It alleges that Sidhu sought a campaign donation worth $1 million from the Angels.
• Sidhu is also accused of obstructing a grand jury investigation into the transaction. 

Last week, the sale of Angel Stadium to a company controlled by club owner Arte Moreno was put on hold after a judge issued a 60-day stay amid the investigation into Sidhu. The deal was originally agreed to in 2019 before community leaders and California regulators alleged that the plan violated affordable housing law.

Anaheim’s city council was scheduled to vote on a reworked plan meant to address the housing concerns in June 2022.

Not Alone

Sidhu isn’t the only political figure to relinquish his role due to the controversial sale. Melahat Rafiei stepped down as a member of the Democratic National Committee after charges of attempted bribery, which were later dismissed.