Just a little stitious

The GIST: While trying to distance themselves from a reputation of bribery and corruption, international soccer’s governing body FIFA is once again drawing significant flack after a controversial decision regarding the 2034 men’s World Cup (WC) tournament. Let’s dive in.

Saudi Arabia officially confirmed as 2034 WC host: After submitting an unopposed bid, Saudi Arabia, a country widely criticized for its human rights violations, was awarded the hosting rights to the world’s biggest men’s soccer competition by FIFA on Wednesday.

• The tournament is the latest attempt by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to use sports to improve his country’s reputation, a tactic known as sportswashing.

• Twenty-one human rights groups signed on to a joint statement in response, decrying FIFA for endangering “resident, migrant workers, and visiting fans alike” by sending the WC to Saudi Arabia.

Zooming out: Saudi Arabia’s proposal outlines a WC held across five cities in 15 stadiums, requiring at least 11 stadiums to be renovated or built, in addition to creating 185K hotel rooms — a tall infrastructure task expected to be largely carried out by migrant workers.

• If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. In preparation for the 2022 WC, migrants were employed to build stadiums in Qatar — and thousands reportedly died doing so. Horrific.

• FIFA’s response, or lack thereof, to such tragedy is among the chief complaints surrounding the decision to give the men’s WC to Saudi Arabia because, as senior director of the Middle East Democracy Center Abdullah Alaoudh said, “there is nothing to indicate that Saudi Arabia will be any better.”

The GIST: The NBA Cup, the league’s second annual in-season tournament, is heading to Sin City, with four teams vying for a spot in Tuesday’s grand finale. What happens in Vegas…will send every player on the championship-winning team home with a sweet payday, so let’s toss up the ball and preview tomorrow’s semis tilts.

Eastern Conference: No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 3 seed Atlanta Hawks, 4:30 p.m. ET: The Hawks took a page out of Troy Bolton’s book, soarin’ and flyin’ to seven wins in their last eight games, led by the three-pronged attack of Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and De’Andre Hunter.

• But Atlanta’s not the only squad that’s found their rhythm: Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced ah-det-oh-KOON-boh) and his Bucks are winners of nine of their last 11 and have revenge top of mind.

Western Conference: No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 2 seed Houston Rockets, 8:30 p.m. ET: Controversial quarter-final win aside, the Jalen Green–led Rockets are shooting for the moon, posting the second-best record in the conference despite missing the playoffs entirely last season.

• Standing in their way? Perennial MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the best-in-the-West Thunder. Fireworks, loading.

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⛳ Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational — Today through Sunday — Golf Channel

• World No. 3 Lydia Ko and No. 34 Jason Day will work in tandem to defend their title at the fun-filled end-of-year mixed-team competition, taking on dynamic duos like Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler while competing for a $4M purse. Not a bad holiday bonus.

🏒 NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — CBC

• The only thing better than Hockey Night in Canada? An Original Six HNIC matchup. Not to mention, a win would inch the Leafs closer to the top of the Atlantic Division standings. Puck yeah.

🏈 NFL: Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions — Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET — CTV

• These squads have the highest-scoring offenses in their respective conferences, boast dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball, and neither franchise has ever won a Super Bowl.

• With both teams dead set on changing number three, this potential title game preview has all the makings of an instant classic.

It’s only been two weeks since the puck dropped on the PWHL season, but it’s already shaping up to be even better than the last — and with mitts as silky as Canadian hockey icon Natalie Spooner, Scotiabank’s putting their money where the goals are.

• From annual initiatives like Girls HockeyFest to becoming the official bank of the PWHL in May, Scotiabank is redefining what it means to support women athletes by making hockey more accessible and inclusive for all.