sportswashing

American  

[spawrts-wosh-ing, -waw-shing] / ˈspɔrtsˌwɒʃ ɪŋ, -ˌwɔ ʃɪŋ /

noun

1. an instance or practice of rehabilitating the bad reputation of a person, company, nation, etc., or mitigating negative press coverage with a sports event, or an appeal to unify and reconcile groups in conflict by celebrating fans’ shared love of a game.

   The cost of sportswashing, from building stadiums to other infrastructure investments, has been worth it to a regime with such an indefensible human rights record.

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Etymology

Origin of sportswashing

First recorded in 2010–15; sportswash ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sportswashing

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared to acknowledge that criticism in a recent interview, saying that if sportswashing boosts the country’s GDP by 1%, it is a strategy he will continue.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 12, 2026

The Rwandan government has dismissed accusations of sportswashing, with its chief tourism officer Irene Murerwa calling them "a distraction" from the "amazing and outstanding achievements the country has made".

From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2025

The focus on sport has led to accusations of sportswashing — an effort to rebrand its public image in the face of its human rights record.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 21, 2023

Unlike other types of image laundering — environmental greenwashing, for instance — sportswashing taps into the deep emotional ties many fans have to their teams or sports.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2023

“This isn’t about censorship, about sportswashing, about creating that fuzzy world,” Platten said.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 6, 2023