FIFA’s process in awarding Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup was significantly quicker than those of most other editions, arriving 11 years ahead of the event. Now, a potentially $1 billion sponsorship deal is putting the bidding process in a new light.

Aramco, the Saudi Arabian state-owned oil company, is close to becoming FIFA’s biggest sponsor in a deal that would include annual payments of up to $100 million through 2034, according to the London Times. If the deal were to begin next year or in 2025, that would amount to at least $1 billion over the life of the agreement.

The Aramco deal isn’t complete, and it’s unclear whether sponsorship talks between Saudi Arabia and FIFA took place after, during, or even before Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid. Beyond the expedited timeline, FIFA also relaxed its World Cup stadium policy in a move that significantly aided Saudi Arabia’s bid — which otherwise wouldn’t have met multiple requirements.

This isn’t FIFA’s first brush with controversy involving World Cup bids. U.S. Department of Justice officials have said that Russian and Qatari representatives bribed FIFA officials to secure hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 events, respectively. The corruption around those events marred two straight editions of international soccer’s biggest tournament.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly been an advocate for a Saudi World Cup since at least 2020. Next month, Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA Club World Cup — the last edition to feature seven teams before it expands to 32 clubs in 2025.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s new golf league has experienced a seemingly stratospheric rise in publicity and investment since being announced last year. Now, it’s come crashing down to earth — literally.

A power failure at the nearly 250,000-square-foot South Florida venue set to host TGL matches beginning in January caused its air-supported dome to collapse this week, the league said. No injuries were sustained by workers or employees, and all the technology — including a simulator measuring 64 feet high — that will power the virtual portions of the competition remains in place, according to TGL.

Damage is still being assessed, with no update on whether it will delay TGL’s Jan. 9 start date. TGL told Front Office Sports that weather played no factor in the issue — indicating that, once repaired, the venue dubbed the SoFi Center would not be at risk for a similar problem dealing with the thunderstorm-laden South Florida climate.

Penalty Stroke

This marks a second recent stumble for TGL, following the decision by Jon Rahm, the No. 3-ranked golfer in the world, to withdraw from competing in the league’s first season.

Otherwise, TGL has enjoyed nearly uninterrupted momentum — recently completing a star-studded list of team owners that includes influential figures from across major pro sports leagues.

There is a media rights deal in place with ESPN, as well as pacts with mainstream partners like Fanatics.

As the Las Vegas Grand Prix prepares for Friday night’s qualifying event, track safety has become a major concern.

In the leadup to Formula 1’s return to Las Vegas, major construction on and around the Strip — which was repaved to meet racing regulations — inconvenienced locals for months.

Now, following an early end to the opening practice session on Thursday night and delay of the second practice due to a loose drain cover, drivers are speaking up about their dissatisfaction with the 3.8-mile track along the Vegas Strip.

“Did they do enough? That one, for sure, I can’t sidestep, that is a safety concern,” Alpha Tauri driver Daniel Ricciardo said in reaction to Thursday night’s mishap. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz sustained damage to his car, which sparked the cancellation, but no other incidents occurred during the practice.

“It’s obviously a difficult situation, and I don’t want to s–t on the sport — it’s the first time here, it’s a massive project, and things unfortunately happened,” Ricciardo added. 

Sainz is receiving a 10-place grid penalty for Saturday night’s race because the damage means he’ll move to his third energy storage system of the season — and drivers are allowed only two. “This has changed completely my mindset and my opinion on the weekend,” he said.

“I’m frustrated,” Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur added. “I’m also scared because Carlos hit a metallic part at 320 kph, and it could have been much worse.”

A third and final practice session is scheduled for Friday night at 8:30 p.m. PT before qualifying at midnight.