Sustaining Sport

Hosted by Benjamin Mole

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Apr 2025

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About the show

Sport matters to billions of people. It shapes health, identity, livelihoods, and communities. But it also carries real problems (environmental, social, and ethical) that it can either reinforce or help dismantle. Sustaining Sport is a podcast about those problems, and about the people trying to do something about them. Episodes cover climate change, governance, sponsorship, gambling, colonial legacies, athlete welfare, and whatever else seems worth a serious conversation. Guests are researchers, athletes, activists, and practitioners. The goal isn't necessarily advocacy but an honest discussion of difficult questions, on the assumption that clearer thinking is a prerequisite for better answers. Please remember that the views expressed in this podcast may no longer be current when you hear them. My views are my own, as are those of my guests, who, while valued here for their insights, do not necessarily reflect the values of Sustaining Sport and do not speak on behalf of the show. Contact: benmole@sustainingsport.com

Listen to episodes

39 recent

April 8, 2025Episode 3854 min

The Case for the External Reform of FIFA - with FairSquare

Send us Fan MailNicholas McGeehan is a founding co-director of FairSquare and co-author of the damning report Substitute: The Case for External Reform of FIFA. He joins me today to unpack the long history of systemic dysfunction within FIFA—from its roots in patronage and cronyism to recent scandals surrounding World Cup hosts like Qatar and Saudi Arabia.Nick offers a detailed look at FIFA's failures on human rights, governance, and safeguarding in both the men's and women’s game, while also presenting a hopeful vision for a better way forward. This is a must-listen for anyone who loves football but demands accountability.This episode was recorded in December 2024.Support the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

March 25, 2025Episode 3733 min

Playing within the (planetary) boundaries: Cricket and Climate Change with The Next Test

Send us Fan MailChris Britt-Searle is a passionate volunteer with The Next Test. This UK-based nonprofit is becoming a vital hub for players, clubs, and fans committed to addressing the environmental challenges facing cricket.In this thought-provoking discussion, Chris shares the story behind The Next Test and offers insights into the organisation’s role in uniting the cricketing community to confront ecological issues. We examine the current status of cricket in the face of climate change and explore how players, sports organisations, and governing bodies contribute to helping (or hindering) sustainable change. Our conversation also touches on the complexities of partnerships with environmental activist groups, the challenges posed by high-carbon sponsorships, and the broader implications of ecological uncertainty on the growth and development of cricket worldwide.This episode goes beyond the boundaries (all puns intended) of the game, challenging assumptions and offering a look at cricket’s potential to lead in the fight against climate change. Whether you are a player, fan, or simply curious about the intersection of sports and sustainability, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.This episode was recorded in November 2024.Support the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

November 26, 2024Episode 3634 min

Fantasy Sports in India: Gambling or Gaming?

Send us Fan MailAlaukik Shrivastava is a legal scholar and Assistant Professor at Nirma University in Gujarat, India. He joins us here to discuss the fascinating and fast-growing industry of fantasy sports. India has a notable legal approach to gaming versus gambling. The line between games of chance and games of skill is a fine one, and it's something that regulators are struggling to get on top of.We have discussed in previous episodes how open-access gambling can be very harmful to society. But there is also an argument that leaving it to the black market means players have no protections and the state cannot benefit from what is a significant economic engine. Alaukik brings his vast knowledge of the historical, legal and cultural aspects that have led to this point and makes a compelling case for undertaking a thorough critical review of the rules of each new game, before casting judgment.You can find Alaukik on his LinkedIn or Instagram.Also please find links to X-Bet/X-Bat and a fake Indian cricket league for Russian gamblers stories referenced in the episode.Support the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

April 16, 2024Episode 351 hr 1 min

Warming Up - How Climate Change is Changing Sport

Send us Fan MailMadeleine Orr is an Assistant Professor of Sport Ecology at the University of Toronto. She is also a co-founder of the Sport Ecology group, and in early May she will be releasing a brand-new book called “Warming Up, How Climate Change is Changing Sport” which, as you may guess, focuses on how sport is adapting to and wrestling with climate change.From seasonal sports' responses to climate shifts to using community sports facilities during natural disasters, this episode promises an eye-opening exploration of the environmental challenges and the hope that can spring from adversity. Maddy also shares with us how she navigates the double intersection of Sport with Sustainability and Academia with Industry. And we question the very definition of 'sustainability' in sports. Has this once-critical concept been diluted, and should we redefine the term to better align with the planet's needs while preserving the magic of sports in the future?I hope you find it interesting!You can (pre)order a copy of the book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/warming-up-9781399404525/ And maybe meet Maddy during her book tour. Dates, times and locations are here: https://twitter.com/maddyjorr/status/1777823539405500589 Support the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

April 8, 2024Episode 3458 min

Ecological imperialism through sport? The Dakar Rally and other stories

Send us Fan MailToday we are speaking with Chen Chen. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut and writes prolifically about how sport intersects with many troubling trends across the globe including environmental decline and increasing inequality of wealth and power.This episode begins with Chen’s unique story that led him to these topics. Then we use his recent work on how the Dakar rally’s time in South America was a prime example of environmental injustice and even ecological imperialism, as local communities and areas dense with biodiversity were given no say in how and where this event took place. We explore how this event embodies larger issues of resource exploitation, environmental degradation, and cultural erasure.We also discuss some alternative ways of engaging in community sports such as The World Indigenous Games and Field of Dreamers – Cooperative Softball Association.Support the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

September 6, 2023Episode 3339 min

Uganda's Sporting Crossroads: Navigating Fairness and Practicality in a Changing Climate

Send us Fan MailUgandan sports currently grapples with a complex network of interconnected challenges, including severe financial constraints, persistent mismanagement issues, a significant talent drain, and the undeniable impacts of climate change. The question is: how can their sports improve and develop talent without further contributing to the climate crisis?Diving into this question with us is Sharon Muzaki, a budding environmental journalist and sports fan, in Kampala. Of course, such a discussion begs the subsequent question: is it even fair to expect a nation, that has contributed so little to the climate crisis, to include such considerations into the sporting growth model?There is no simple solution, but, speaking from both lived experiences and observations, Sharon gives us her preservative which informs a much better understanding of the problem - a problem is crying out for further consideration from the relevant stakeholders. Support the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

August 24, 2023Episode 3250 min

Bad advertising – How dirty businesses are buying their social license operate through sports

Send us Fan MailAdvertising is supposed to be a way for businesses and entrepreneurs to show you how good their products are. But what if many of the products in adverts are actually bad? They could be bad for you or potentially bad for this planet and its delicately balanced biosphere.Today’s topic is bad advertising. We are talking to researcher Freddie Daley who works as a coordinator for a tremendous organisation called Badvertising. As sport holds a powerful place in the hearts and minds of fans and athletes around the world, it is a potent tool for advertisers. According to Statista, in 2022 the global sports sponsorship market was worth an estimated 66 billion U.S. dollars and is expected to grow to 107 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. It is one of sport’s biggest revenue streams, dwarfing that of merchandise and tickets.Freddie and his colleagues know this and therefore must dedicate a lot of time calling out and campaigning against adverts that contain false information or normalise businesses whose operations are harmful to people and the environment.Freddie joins us today to discuss this sport, sustainability, and advertising intersection. It’s a complex and arduous topic at times but his pragmatism and belief in the possibility of a better system makes it very much worth a listen!You can also find more research and work on this at the Rapid Transition Alliance.Support the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

August 9, 2023Episode 3154 min

Colonial echoes in sport and the environment – time to decolonise and degrow?

Send us Fan MailThe convergence of sport, decoloniality, and the environment presents a labyrinth of intricate ideas, and as we delve into their interconnectedness, the complexity deepens.Joining us on this informative journey is Samuel Clevenger, an Assistant Professor at Towson University in the USA, who has been trying to unpack some of this intersection. We start with the radical concept of decoloniality—an evolution beyond mere decolonisation. Through philosophical references and anecdotes, we raise instances where sport has been wielded to perpetuate a Western-centric worldview, shaping notions of identity, imagery, and competition. Then, in contrast, we examine examples where Western sports were recast more in the image of the indigenous people who were pressured to play them.As we pivot to the environmental repercussions, a canvas of broader societal critiques unfurls. The discourse expands to encompass profound themes like climate justice, athlete and fan burnout, and the nuances of degrowth or post-growth.Whether you're a sports enthusiast, an environmental advocate, or simply curious about the multifaceted connections between these realms, there are undoubtedly ideas in this episode of interest to you.Support the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

July 13, 2023Episode 3045 min

A Sponsorship Game Changer - Taking Sport Beyond High-Carbon, Gambling, and Alcohol

Send us Fan MailThe relationship between money and sport is complex…This show has often discussed the issues that arise when the biggest carbon emitters buy or sponsor a sports club, often with the objective of improving their legitimacy or reputation. But this episode goes one step deeper, by looking at the more nuanced capital in-flows that have a few a degrees of separation.For example, the organisations that invest in or fund others to extract fossil fuels, rather than doing it themselves. Additionally, there are businesses that continuously try to tempt the consumer into making key purchases that will cause significant harm either to the consumer or somewhere else along the supply chain. And because of that separation, it’s tricky for sports fans to know that the companies whose names adorn the fronts of their teams' jerseys are profiting from something they might not agree with.But help is on the way. Michael Hardy has long sought to get his local team, Liverpool FC, to drop Standard Chartered as a sponsor. Standard chartered fund in a range of projects across the world that do not uphold the human rights of their workers and are responsible for a massive about of emissions. To try to make a difference, Michael and Platform, the organisation he works for, are launching the Game Changer Sponsorship Pledge: an exciting new initiative that tries to bring everyone who cares about sport but does not want to benefit from harm-causing activities. They want to put pressure on sports commercial directors to make better choices that better reflect the values of the fans, even if that means less lucrative deals.You can learn more about the Game Changer Sponsorship Pledge at: badverts.org/gamechangerSupport the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

July 6, 2023Episode 2940 min

Sport is not industry: bringing sport back to sport management

Send us Fan Mail“Sport is not industry: bringing sport back to sport management.”That is the title of a wonderful paper by Hallgeir Gammelsæter, of Molde University College in Norway. The paper argues that sport management, as a discipline, has become overly focused on the management or business aspect, pushing the sports industry into competing as any other form of entertainment.This raises questions about who sport is supposed to serve, as both athletes and fans have arguably become commodities for shareholder gain and authentic intangible community bonds are lost in the name of international growth. Crucially this trend seems to be self-reinforcing, as more investors, middlemen, and marketeers come in trying to carve out some revenue for themselves.Hallgeir joins us to discuss all of this and builds on it with insights from his other lines of work, including the incompatibility between elite sport and environmental sustainability - and how the professionalisation of sport is trickling down all the way to children's sport, meaning things at youth level are no longer just fun and games, when perhaps they still should be.Support the showPlease feel free to reach out to the show onWeb: sustainingsport.comInstagram: @sustainingsportLinkedin: /sustaining-sportFacebook: @sustainingsportTwitter: @SustainSportPodNow on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.socialor contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com