The World Cup offers one of the largest prize pools in global sports — but also presents a striking gender disparity.

The purse for the men’s tournament, which starts on Sunday, is more than 10 times that of the Women’s World Cup in 2019.

• FIFA will distribute $440 million to the 32 qualifying men’s teams, with the winner receiving $42 million. 
• The most recent Women’s World Cup saw teams bring home $30 million in total, with the victorious U.S. team earning $4 million.
• FIFA is considering doubling the prize pool for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but the winnings will be divided among 32 teams, instead of the 24 that played in 2019.

In addition to the prize pool, club teams that employed players participating in the World Cup will receive $10,000 for each day that player is involved in the tournament, totaling $209 million over 64 games.

President’s Plea

FIFA president Gianni Infantino called for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine during the World Cup at the G20 summit of major economies in Indonesia. 

“My plea to all of you, to think on a temporary ceasefire for one month for the duration of the World Cup, or at least the implementation of some humanitarian corridors, or anything that could lead to the resumption of dialogue as a first step to peace,” Infantino said.

Infantino has discouraged players from making political statements during the World Cup, though some teams have spoken out against host country Qatar’s human rights record.

Formula 1 fans can enjoy the height of luxury at the Las Vegas Grand Prix — and all it will cost is $1 million.

Wynn Las Vegas is offering a seven-figure package for the race weekend that kicks off on Nov. 16, 2023. Fans with a million to spare can enjoy:

• Three nights in a 5,829-square-foot, three-bedroom duplex with two-story windows, billiard tables, dining, and fitness rooms
• VIP access to the Paddock Club and race-week events
• Tickets to a show, dinner for six, spa treatments, and rounds of golf
• Caviar and a jeroboam (equivalent to four bottles) of Dom Perignon champagne

Wynn and F1 will make a $100,000 donation to local charities for each package purchased.

Founding Partners Cashing In

Wynn is a founding partner of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, along with MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment. 

MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle has said that the company will purchase between $20 million and $25 million in F1 tickets to offer in packages, including some that cost upwards of $100,000.

The company is building a grandstand for viewing the race along the lake of the Bellagio hotel, which it will offer as part of room-ticket packages.

Caesars packages for race tickets, food, and a three-night stay average $2,600 per night.

The world’s largest sportswear company is taking its talents to the metaverse. 

Nike plans to launch online store and trading platform .SWOOSH, which will house virtual sneakers and apparel and allow users to collect and display items they own. The platform, which opens registration on Friday, will also provide education on the metaverse and Web3. 

• Nike plans to launch its first digital collection in 2023. 
• Select Nike athletes will have individual storefronts on the platform.
• All items will be priced using U.S. dollars to reduce volatility. 
• Some items may provide access to physical products and be available in video games. 

.SWOOSH adds to several metaverse-related investments for Nike. 

The sneaker giant filed a patent in 2019 to pair physical shoes with NFTs, and in November 2021 it filed a trademark application to use the swoosh logo and “Just Do It” slogan in digital environments. In December 2021, Nike acquired RTFKT, which produces digital collectibles. 

To date, Nike has pocketed close to $200 million from NFTs products, per Dune Analytics. 

Legal Woes

Nike — which generated $12.69 billion in revenue in fiscal Q1 2023, beating analysts’ estimates of $12.27 billion  — has been sued by NFL free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. over allegations that it withheld millions of dollars in his endorsement deal.

The lawsuit alleges that Beckham “has suffered damages of $20,625,000 plus prejudgment interest.”

The saga of the Carolina Panthers and Rock Hill is finally nearing an end.

Rock Hill has agreed to a $20 million settlement with GT Real Estate Holdings, the David Tepper-owned company that went bankrupt in June while building a new Panthers headquarters in the South Carolina city. The figure equates to what the city invested in the now-defunct project.

If approved, the settlement will require both sides to drop their lawsuits blaming each other for the failed project. Rock Hill will receive the land designated for the abandoned $800 million plan, which is already on the market.

• Tepper — who purchased the Panthers in 2018 for $2.3 billion — established the real estate company for the team HQ project, which would have included a 5,000-seat stadium and indoor practice center.
• The company had already invested more than $170 million before filing for bankruptcy.
• Tepper had paused construction in March when Rock Hill missed a payment toward infrastructure costs. 

Contractors would reportedly receive more than $60 million to settle their claims as part of the bankruptcy plan.

A confirmation hearing on the bankruptcy was originally scheduled for Wednesday but has been delayed until December. 

Court Calls

The settlement doesn’t mean GT Real Estate Holdings is done — York County, which gave the company $21 million for the development, reportedly claims to be owed more than $80 million. 

The county is not included in Rock Hill’s settlement proposal.