sportswash

[ spawrts-wosh, -wawsh ]

verb (used with object)

1. to rehabilitate (a bad reputation) or downplay (negative press coverage) with a sports event, especially with an appeal to unify and reconcile groups in conflict by celebrating fans’ shared love of a game:

   The energy giant sportswashed away lingering images of oil-covered wildlife with their sponsorship of the Olympic and Paralympic teams.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sportswash¹

First recorded in 2010–15; sports ( def ) + wash ( def ); modeled on greenwash ( def )