sportswashing

[ spawrts-wosh-ing, -waw-shing ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sportswashing¹

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