Has commercialisation done more harm than good for sport?
This is the seventh of a series of eight primers on current affairs and issues in the news, and what they mean for Singapore.
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The Norway national team discussing tactics during a hydration break at the 2026 World Cup. The breaks, which occur once in each half, became one of the tournament’s most contentious talking points.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Commercialisation has transformed sports into a multibillion-dollar industry, increasing revenues through media rights, sponsorships and digital content, while also growing women’s sports and athlete brands.
- The influence of commercial interests affects game formats, schedules and player welfare, leading to congested calendars, higher costs for fans, and widening inequalities in sports.
- Singapore acts mainly as a host for major international sports events, facing challenges in growing local sports culture amid dominance by global brands and seeking better integration of local teams.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – It was a cool 23 deg C at the Gillette Stadium when the words “Time for hydration break” flashed across a large LED display during Norway and Iraq’s FIFA World Cup group stage clash on June 16.
Boos rang around the stadium in response to FIFA’s mandatory three-minute hydration breaks, which were introduced for the first time at a World Cup to help players cope with the heat of the North American summer.
