Is there any controlling body of a major sport that is not guilty of bribery, extortion, and corruption? It seems like they leverage their fans love of their game to exploit them and their cities and nations to enrich themselves. This is definitely true for the FIFA, the International Olympic Committee, NCAA, NFL, NBA, and MLB, and probably true for other big organizations as well. The national sports bodies in Sri Lanka have historically been riddled with corruption and cronyism and I suspect this is true for other nations too.
On his show, Jon Oliver took aim at FIFA, the international body that overseas soccer, which seems to be one of the worst of a terrible lot.
“It’s an organized religion and FIFA is its church. Just think about it, its leader is infallible, it compels South American countries to spend money they don’t have building opulent cathedrals, and it may ultimately be responsible for the deaths of shocking numbers of people in the Middle East.”
It seems like they leverage their fans love of their game to exploit them and their cities and nations to enrich themselves
That’s their purpose! It’s what they formed to do!
Add FIDE -- the international chess federation.
Perhaps bridge?
At least the MCC is….
Ah! Forgeddit!
WWE?
Sports are entertainment. Is there any big
entertainmentbusiness that isn’t?I didn’t watch the video so I’m not sure if this was covered. But I heard that FIFA required Brazil to construct ‘new’ stadiums even though there were plenty of excellent existing stadiums. Then, FIFA required Brazil to change their law prohibiting alcohol from being sold during matches. Seems that Budweiser had something to say about that.
http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2014/jun/11/john-oliver/john-oliver-says-fifa-pressured-brazil-lifting-its/