Sports, Communication Failures
Kyle Bagin
Risk: World Cup Edition

World soccer’s angst over an unethical World Cup proves the increasing need for global organizations to strategize for a new era of communication crisis.

The start of this week’s World Cup in Qatar—marred by reported human rights abuses that have potentially led to the death of 6,500 workers; the host nation’s restrictions on rights for women and LGBTQ individuals; ongoing strife in participating nation Iran; and more—put a fine point on a dizzying year for the relationship between sports and politics.

Risk: World Cup Edition
Reputation Management, Sports
Kyle Bagin
What's in a Name?

After two years of handwringing and anticipation, the football team formerly known as the Football Team releases its rebrand—a term to be used loosely.

At the start of this process, I chronicled how the Washington Commanders, née Football Team, had allowed decades of off-the-field reputational crises to define them, and how their rebranding was an opportunity to strategically rebuild a connection with their audience.

Did they fumble the kickoff?

What's in a Name?
Sports, Reputation Management
Kyle Bagin
So You Think You Can Start a Super League

A look at the (ongoing) communication failures behind the European Super League's botched roll-out.

“I know one question people have is: ‘Is this legit, is this real, is this actually happening or is this a play?’”

This question came from James McNicholas, writer for The Athletic, on Arseblog’s Arsecast Extra Podcast, in light of the announcement Sunday that 12 of the world’s biggest soccer clubs were breaking away from current European competitions to launch their own “Super League,” exclusively closed to them and five guest teams of their choosing.

So You Think You Can Start a Super League

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Arsenal Update: Ö Boy

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Arsenal Update: Ö Boy

An information vacuum left by Arsenal Football Club gets filled by everyone on Twitter.

Earlier this week, out-of-favor Turkish-German midfielder Mesut Özil tweeted another chapter of his long-burning PR soap opera with his employers at Arsenal Football Club.

After seven years with the team, and with a year to go on a hefty £350,000 per week contract, the once-renowned creative mastermind was ultimately cut from the roster to make room for league-required “homegrown players.”

The tweet, in part:

“I’m really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the Premier League season for the time being. Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club that I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me that this has not been reciprocated. As I have just found out, loyalty is hard to come by nowadays.”