Decoding Saudi's tennis playbook (with Jon Wertheim)

The upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics are embroiled in numerous controversies, casting a shadow over the the global event. Corruption probes have targeted the organizing committee, raising issues of favouritism and misappropriation of funds​ The participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under neutral flags has sparked debate amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, while the lack of similar sanctions against Israel highlights broader concerns of discrimination and double standards​​.Additionally, Paris is facing backlash over the eviction of homeless people and traditional bouquinistes, as well as bedbug infestations and disputes over infrastructure readiness​​. There is also the issue of the militarization of the city, as well as the mass surveillance and privacy concerns that has become part and parcel with hosting the games.These multifaceted challenges underscore the complexity and tension surrounding the Paris 2024 Games. They also raise questions who the Olympics actually serve and whether they actually matter in our modern world. Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe

“If there was ever going to be any kind of age of accountability in the sport, at least for now, the window is closed.”This is what Luke Thomas said to me when I asked him about the state of the mixed martial arts landscape during an appearance on the Sports Politika podcast ahead of UFC 300.The renowned MMA analyst and pundit was right. From the demise of investigative media outlets that once held the powerful to account to the UFC solidifying its monopolistic control over the industry after settling a decade-old antitrust lawsuit, little stands in the way of the MMA's largest organization from maintaining its dominance in the sport.Beyond the depressing state of MMA, I also asked Luke about the rise of sovereign wealth funds investing in MMA and whether we could see the UFC being sold to Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. His answers may surprise you. Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe

Over the past eight years, Saudi Arabia's sports strategy has transformed from a simple reputation management tool to a comprehensive soft power plan encompassing regional diplomacy, economic diversification, global impact, and a continuous stream of entertainment for the nation's youth. From encroachments into combat sports, racing, golf and tennis to becoming the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup, there is no stone that the kingdom has left unturned in its quest to become a global sports powerhouse.To discuss the evolution of Saudi’s sports gambit, I spoke with Jon Wertheim, the executive editor of Sports Illustrated, where he has worked for the better part of the last three decades covering everything from tennis to combat sports. Jon is also an analyst for The Tennis Channel during the Grand Slams and is a correspondent on CBS’ acclaimed 60 minutes program.Last year, Jon traveled to Saudi Arabia to examine the topic of sportswashing in the kingdom for an episode of 60 Minutes. One of the segments included an interview with Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud, who naturally denied that his country was attempting to launder its reputation.I spoke to Jon about his fascinating trip, as well as the kingdom’s recent foray into the world of tennis. His analysis is sharp, astute and is an important contribution to one of the most important—and developing—sports stories of this generation.Happy listening. Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe

Over the past few months, I’ve been reading a lot of literature to do with Israel-Palestine. One of the books that I found most fascinating was a book by Nicholas Blincoe called “More Noble Than War: A Football History of Israel-Palestine.” It was an exceptional read that managed to delve into one of the most complex political subjects through a football lens, which in turn helped bring out its humanity.I honestly cannot recommend the book enough, which is why I wanted to bring Nicholas onto the show to discuss his process and why he took on such an endeavour. This episode does not disappoint.*You can buy a copy of More Noble Than War: A Football History of Israel-Palestine here.Happy listening.Sports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own). We would appreciate if you could also like the post and let us know what you think in the comment section below. Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe

“Gianni Infantino doesn’t feel Palestinian today.”This was among the most poignant lines in a speech delivered by Katarina Pijetlovic, associate professor at the Catolica Global School of Law in Lisbon, during the 2024 Play the Game conference in Trondheim, Norway. Her talk underscored the glaring disparity in international sports organizations' reactions to the war in Gaza compared to their responses to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.I was present for her presentation and immediately realized she would be an ideal guest for an episode of the Sports Politika podcast. Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe

Over the past eight years, Saudi Arabia's sports strategy has transformed from a simple reputation management tool to a comprehensive soft power plan encompassing regional diplomacy, economic diversification, global impact, and a continuous stream of entertainment for the nation's youth.Few understand the kingdom’s recent transformation like Stanis Elsborg, the senior analyst for Danish initiative Play the Game, who recently published a groundbreaking piece of research titled “The power players behind Saudi Arabia's sports strategy.” His research, which mapped out the inner circle behind Saudi Arabia's sports endeavour and revealed more than 300 Saudi sponsorships in sports, has been tremendously useful to my own work over the past few months.  Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe

In 2010, Flash Entertainment—a state-owned live entertainment company based in Abu Dhabi—purchased a 10% stake in the UFC, kickstarting a long-term partnership between the world’s leading MMA organization and the UAE government. Much has changed in the 14 years that followed. The UFC entered a formal partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, established a “Fight Island” safe zone during the height of a global pandemic, and even helped the Emirate promote a piece of shady AI technology that was implicated in a spyware scandal. So how exactly did Abu Dhabi buy the UFC’s undying loyalty? Tune into the latest edition of the Sports Politika podcast to find out. Sports Politika is a media platform focusing on intersection of sports, power and politics. Support independent journalism by upgrading to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own). We would appreciate if you could also like the post and let us know what you think in the comment section below. Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe

Are UFC fighter facing visa bans for associating with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov? Why did I never join the Mixed Martial Arts Journalist Association (MMAJA)? What are some of the lesser known countries practising sportswashing? And did Hamas start the ongoing war in Gaza? These are some of the listener questions that I answer in the latest edition of the Sports Politika podcast. Happy listening, KarimSports Politika is a media platform focusing on intersection of sports, power and politics. Support independent journalism by upgrading to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own). We would appreciate if you could also like the post and let us know what you think in the comment section below. Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe

In the U.S. and around the world, MMA's embrace of outsider sports fans and right-wing politicians has helped create a wave of athletes activating around extremist causes and conspiracies.This episode of the Sports Politika podcast will delve into some of these examples, including the UFC’s longstanding relationship with Donald Trump, Conor McGregor being investigated by Irish police over “hate speech” violations following Dublin riots, and the reasons why so many UFC champs became seduced by conspiracy theories such as QAnon.It will also attempt to answer the question: why are so many MMA fighters becoming right-wing political activists? Sports Politika is a media platform focusing on intersection of sports, power and politics. Support independent journalism by upgrading to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own). Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe

Hey readers, I love writing. I expect keep writing until the day I die. But I also know when it is time to challenge myself with different mediums in my quest to tell stories. Podcasts aren’t exactly new but they are new to me. I’ve been on plenty of podcasts over the years but I have never tried speaking into a microphone—alone—for an extended period of time and then publish it into the ether known as the internet. Nevertheless, I tried my hand at podcasting this week and the result is the episode above—a 45-minute session where I walk you through my genesis into the world of sports and politics. I talk about my time in Egypt among a group of revolutionaries, my journeys to Russia and the cast of characters I encountered during those years, and how reporting on Ramzan Kadyrov shaped my career. Some episode notes:* I discuss my time among the Ultras Ahlawy, the Egyptian football fans who became revolutionaries during the Arab Spring. To learn more about them, I suggest reading this longform I wrote about them earlier this year * I also discuss my time in Russia, including some of the absurd incidents I found myself in the middle of, like the time I was cornered into watching an MMA event with the president of Ingushetia—a man who is now Russia’s deputy minister of defence involved in the war in Ukraine. Read more about that here:* Finally, I also mentioned the article I wrote for The New York Times earlier this year about Lionel Messi’s involvement with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism authority. You can read that article here.Happy listening and, as always, your feedback is very much appreciated. KarimSports Politika is a newsletter about the intersection of sports, power and politics. If you like what you see, upgrade to a paid subscription ( or gift a subscription if you already have your own). We would appreciate if you could also like the post and let us know what you think in the comment section below. Get full access to Sports Politika at www.sportspolitika.news/subscribe