Stanis Elsborg
@staniselsborg.bsky.social
Head of @playthegame-org.bsky.social • Sport, history and politics • +45 61774915 • stanis@playthegame.org
Pinned
🔥 EXCLUSIVE
The most detailed mapping of Saudi Arabia's sponsorships and key players in sports!
Includes related:
❌Governance issues
❌Conflicts of interest
❌Human rights atrocities
Excited to share the findings!
🌐Access the web and pdf versions👇
www.playthegame.org/projects/sau...
The most detailed mapping of Saudi Arabia's sponsorships and key players in sports!
Includes related:
❌Governance issues
❌Conflicts of interest
❌Human rights atrocities
Excited to share the findings!
🌐Access the web and pdf versions👇
www.playthegame.org/projects/sau...
While headlines focus on the Sabalenka–Kyrgios showmatch, far less attention is paid to where it was staged - and why that matters.
Dubai, the UAE, and the political use of elite sport amid severe human rights atrocities.
www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
Dubai, the UAE, and the political use of elite sport amid severe human rights atrocities.
www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
While headlines have focused on the Battle of the Sexes showmatch between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, far less attention has been paid to where the match was staged – and what that context… | St...
While headlines have focused on the Battle of the Sexes showmatch between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, far less attention has been paid to where the match was staged – and what that context repre...
www.linkedin.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:28 PM
While headlines focus on the Sabalenka–Kyrgios showmatch, far less attention is paid to where it was staged - and why that matters.
Dubai, the UAE, and the political use of elite sport amid severe human rights atrocities.
www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
Dubai, the UAE, and the political use of elite sport amid severe human rights atrocities.
www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
A recent article reignites the debate about children in elite sport.
Jørn Sønderholm argues for allowing professional contracts at 13.
The Danish Minister of Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, strongly disagrees.
Full context and sources👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
Jørn Sønderholm argues for allowing professional contracts at 13.
The Danish Minister of Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, strongly disagrees.
Full context and sources👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
December 28, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A recent article reignites the debate about children in elite sport.
Jørn Sønderholm argues for allowing professional contracts at 13.
The Danish Minister of Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, strongly disagrees.
Full context and sources👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
Jørn Sønderholm argues for allowing professional contracts at 13.
The Danish Minister of Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, strongly disagrees.
Full context and sources👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
Today, Hassan Moustafa (81) was re-elected as president of the International Handball Federation. I was asked by @Frib3rg from @vgnett to comment on governance and democracy in the IHF. These are the core points from my responses.
👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
Omstridt president (81) gjenvalgt: – Håndballen fortjener mer | Stanis Elsborg
25 years in power – and still re-elected. What does this say about international handball?
Today, Hassan Moustafa (81) was re-elected as president of the International Handball Federation. I was aske...
www.linkedin.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Today, Hassan Moustafa (81) was re-elected as president of the International Handball Federation. I was asked by @Frib3rg from @vgnett to comment on governance and democracy in the IHF. These are the core points from my responses.
👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
Yesterday, the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Final was played.
The NBA champions social justice and freedom of expression - while partnering with the UAE, an authoritarian state with a documented human rights record.
👉 www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/o...
The NBA champions social justice and freedom of expression - while partnering with the UAE, an authoritarian state with a documented human rights record.
👉 www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/o...
December 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Yesterday, the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Final was played.
The NBA champions social justice and freedom of expression - while partnering with the UAE, an authoritarian state with a documented human rights record.
👉 www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/o...
The NBA champions social justice and freedom of expression - while partnering with the UAE, an authoritarian state with a documented human rights record.
👉 www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/o...
🚨New research by @stevemenary.bsky.social and @samindrakunti.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social shows how FIFA’s streaming platform is being exploited by unlicensed betting operators to offer in-play betting on hundreds of football matches.
www.playthegame.org/news/fifa-li...
www.playthegame.org/news/fifa-li...
FIFA+ livestreams fuel global in-play betting markets
New research from Play the Game shows how unlicensed betting companies are using FIFA’s own streaming platform to offer in-play wagers on low-level matches worldwide. Many smaller federations are unaw...
www.playthegame.org
December 12, 2025 at 9:47 AM
🚨New research by @stevemenary.bsky.social and @samindrakunti.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social shows how FIFA’s streaming platform is being exploited by unlicensed betting operators to offer in-play betting on hundreds of football matches.
www.playthegame.org/news/fifa-li...
www.playthegame.org/news/fifa-li...
Opening a new position for an editor and international relations manager, @playthegame-org.bsky.social aims to strengthen its work to promote democratic values in international sport.
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/play-th...
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/play-th...
Play the Game seeks an editor
Opening a new position for an editor and international relations manager, Play the Game aims to strengthen its work to promote democratic values in international sport.
www.playthegame.org
December 9, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Opening a new position for an editor and international relations manager, @playthegame-org.bsky.social aims to strengthen its work to promote democratic values in international sport.
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/play-th...
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/play-th...
"We will restore the image of #FIFA and the respect of FIFA. And everyone in the world will applaud us, and will applaud all of you, for what we will do in FIFA in the future."
- Gianni Infantino, 2016
youtu.be/raMa-s8I6Us?...
- Gianni Infantino, 2016
youtu.be/raMa-s8I6Us?...
Gianni Infantino gives first speech as FIFA President
YouTube video by FOX Soccer
youtu.be
December 6, 2025 at 10:25 AM
"We will restore the image of #FIFA and the respect of FIFA. And everyone in the world will applaud us, and will applaud all of you, for what we will do in FIFA in the future."
- Gianni Infantino, 2016
youtu.be/raMa-s8I6Us?...
- Gianni Infantino, 2016
youtu.be/raMa-s8I6Us?...
. @fckobenhavndk.bsky.social on its way into the “MCO club”?
Learn more about football’s multi-club ownership crisis👇 #fck #sldk #mco #fcklive
www.playthegame.org/themes/footb...
Learn more about football’s multi-club ownership crisis👇 #fck #sldk #mco #fcklive
www.playthegame.org/themes/footb...
Football's multi-club ownership crisis
In just four years, multi-club ownership has exploded, concentrating power in the hands of a few investor groups. This collection of articles will help you understand how MCO affects thousands of play...
www.playthegame.org
December 2, 2025 at 7:45 PM
. @fckobenhavndk.bsky.social on its way into the “MCO club”?
Learn more about football’s multi-club ownership crisis👇 #fck #sldk #mco #fcklive
www.playthegame.org/themes/footb...
Learn more about football’s multi-club ownership crisis👇 #fck #sldk #mco #fcklive
www.playthegame.org/themes/footb...
💥One year on: Saudi Arabia’s grip on world sport has only tightened🇸🇦
Exactly one year ago, we published @playthegame_org's investigation into Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sport👇
www.playthegame.org/projects/sau...
Exactly one year ago, we published @playthegame_org's investigation into Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sport👇
www.playthegame.org/projects/sau...
Saudi Arabia’s grip on world sport
Play the Game presents a new report and dataset which uncover the extensive scale and intricate networks behind Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy.
www.playthegame.org
December 2, 2025 at 9:36 AM
💥One year on: Saudi Arabia’s grip on world sport has only tightened🇸🇦
Exactly one year ago, we published @playthegame_org's investigation into Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sport👇
www.playthegame.org/projects/sau...
Exactly one year ago, we published @playthegame_org's investigation into Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sport👇
www.playthegame.org/projects/sau...
💥 Scams, slavery, and surface-to-air missiles!
These are the brutal realities behind parts of the global online betting industry - as revealed by investigative journalist Lindsey Kennedy in her hard-hitting presentation at @playthegame-org.bsky.social 2025
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/scams-s...
These are the brutal realities behind parts of the global online betting industry - as revealed by investigative journalist Lindsey Kennedy in her hard-hitting presentation at @playthegame-org.bsky.social 2025
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/scams-s...
October 21, 2025 at 1:34 PM
💥 Scams, slavery, and surface-to-air missiles!
These are the brutal realities behind parts of the global online betting industry - as revealed by investigative journalist Lindsey Kennedy in her hard-hitting presentation at @playthegame-org.bsky.social 2025
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/scams-s...
These are the brutal realities behind parts of the global online betting industry - as revealed by investigative journalist Lindsey Kennedy in her hard-hitting presentation at @playthegame-org.bsky.social 2025
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/scams-s...
14 days ago, we kicked off Play the Game 2025 ❗
I opened the conference with a call to drive dialogue for democracy in sport...
For speeches and video-on-demand👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
@playthegame-org.bsky.social
I opened the conference with a call to drive dialogue for democracy in sport...
For speeches and video-on-demand👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
@playthegame-org.bsky.social
14 days ago, we kicked off Play the Game 2025 ❗
I opened the conference with a call to drive dialogue for democracy in sport.
In times when open debate is under pressure – both in sport and in… | S...
14 days ago, we kicked off Play the Game 2025 ❗
I opened the conference with a call to drive dialogue for democracy in sport.
In times when open debate is under pressure – both in sport and in soci...
www.linkedin.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM
14 days ago, we kicked off Play the Game 2025 ❗
I opened the conference with a call to drive dialogue for democracy in sport...
For speeches and video-on-demand👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
@playthegame-org.bsky.social
I opened the conference with a call to drive dialogue for democracy in sport...
For speeches and video-on-demand👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/stanis...
@playthegame-org.bsky.social
Whistleblower reveals Qatar’s surveillance of journalists during 2022 World Cup preparations
www.playthegame.org/news/abdulla...
www.playthegame.org/news/abdulla...
Whistleblower reveals Qatar’s surveillance of journalists during 2022 World Cup preparations
In a session at Play the Game 2025, the former media manager of Qatar's World Cup Supreme Committee exposed all the tricks in Qatar's media strategy.
www.playthegame.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Whistleblower reveals Qatar’s surveillance of journalists during 2022 World Cup preparations
www.playthegame.org/news/abdulla...
www.playthegame.org/news/abdulla...
Reposted by Stanis Elsborg
Please allow @josimarfootball.bsky.social, @pbsportswriter.bsky.social and myself a minute of self-congratulation. We wrote a total of 39 articles on 777 Partners' house of cards. It was time well spent.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
Brash Investor in Global Soccer Clubs Is Charged With Fraud
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Please allow @josimarfootball.bsky.social, @pbsportswriter.bsky.social and myself a minute of self-congratulation. We wrote a total of 39 articles on 777 Partners' house of cards. It was time well spent.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
Reposted by Stanis Elsborg
💣 ⚽️ 👮 🙀 Josh Wander, the brash American businessman who came close to buying Premier League team Everton, once one of the biggest multi club investors in football, is charged with fraud by US authorities.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
Brash Investor in Global Soccer Clubs Is Charged With Fraud
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:36 PM
💣 ⚽️ 👮 🙀 Josh Wander, the brash American businessman who came close to buying Premier League team Everton, once one of the biggest multi club investors in football, is charged with fraud by US authorities.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
Reposted by Stanis Elsborg
As over 500 participants gathered in Tampere, Finland, for #ptg2025, @staniselsborg.bsky.social, head of Play the Game, used his opening speech to urge the sports world to keep debate alive - even when it is uncomfortable❗
Read his speech 👇
www.playthegame.org/news/play-th...
📸: Thomas Søndergaard
Read his speech 👇
www.playthegame.org/news/play-th...
📸: Thomas Søndergaard
October 5, 2025 at 12:25 PM
As over 500 participants gathered in Tampere, Finland, for #ptg2025, @staniselsborg.bsky.social, head of Play the Game, used his opening speech to urge the sports world to keep debate alive - even when it is uncomfortable❗
Read his speech 👇
www.playthegame.org/news/play-th...
📸: Thomas Søndergaard
Read his speech 👇
www.playthegame.org/news/play-th...
📸: Thomas Søndergaard
🚨 Volunteers needed for Play the Game 2025! 🚨
We are still looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us at Play the Game 2025 in Tampere, Finland (5–8 October 2025).
Interested, contact Cecilie Rohde Andersen at cecilie.andersen@idan.dk
We are still looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us at Play the Game 2025 in Tampere, Finland (5–8 October 2025).
Interested, contact Cecilie Rohde Andersen at cecilie.andersen@idan.dk
September 18, 2025 at 6:44 AM
🚨 Volunteers needed for Play the Game 2025! 🚨
We are still looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us at Play the Game 2025 in Tampere, Finland (5–8 October 2025).
Interested, contact Cecilie Rohde Andersen at cecilie.andersen@idan.dk
We are still looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us at Play the Game 2025 in Tampere, Finland (5–8 October 2025).
Interested, contact Cecilie Rohde Andersen at cecilie.andersen@idan.dk
Reposted by Stanis Elsborg
Yuliya and Vitaly Stepanova risked their lives to expose state-sponsored doping in Russia💊 Their testimonies changed the world of sport – but at great personal cost!
In this article, ARD tells a disturbing truth🚩
www.sportschau.de/stepanovs-cr...
In this article, ARD tells a disturbing truth🚩
www.sportschau.de/stepanovs-cr...
August 15, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Yuliya and Vitaly Stepanova risked their lives to expose state-sponsored doping in Russia💊 Their testimonies changed the world of sport – but at great personal cost!
In this article, ARD tells a disturbing truth🚩
www.sportschau.de/stepanovs-cr...
In this article, ARD tells a disturbing truth🚩
www.sportschau.de/stepanovs-cr...
Reposted by Stanis Elsborg
The full programme of the next @playthegame-org.bsky.social conference (Tampere, Finland, 5-8 October) is now online. It's a cracker.
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
Conference programme
The programme overview for Play the Game 2025 is now available.
www.playthegame.org
August 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
The full programme of the next @playthegame-org.bsky.social conference (Tampere, Finland, 5-8 October) is now online. It's a cracker.
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
💥 Excited to share that the programme for Play the Game 2025 is now online, featuring 275+ presentations, 60 sessions, and 4 days of inspiring debate, knowledge-sharing, and networking.
👉 www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
👉 www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
August 14, 2025 at 10:18 AM
💥 Excited to share that the programme for Play the Game 2025 is now online, featuring 275+ presentations, 60 sessions, and 4 days of inspiring debate, knowledge-sharing, and networking.
👉 www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
👉 www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
✨𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 2025✨
I am truly excited to share that World Champion gymnast and eight-time NCAA Champion Maggie Nichols will deliver the opening keynote at Play the Game 2025!
👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
I am truly excited to share that World Champion gymnast and eight-time NCAA Champion Maggie Nichols will deliver the opening keynote at Play the Game 2025!
👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
August 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
✨𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 2025✨
I am truly excited to share that World Champion gymnast and eight-time NCAA Champion Maggie Nichols will deliver the opening keynote at Play the Game 2025!
👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
I am truly excited to share that World Champion gymnast and eight-time NCAA Champion Maggie Nichols will deliver the opening keynote at Play the Game 2025!
👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
💥 We are excited to announce that Caster Semenya, Annet Negesa & Evangeline Makena Kathenya will take the stage at #ptg2025 in a session titled👇
🎙 Athletes’ power: Owning their narrative, shaping a collective future
Read more about the conference👇
www.playthegame.org/2025
🎙 Athletes’ power: Owning their narrative, shaping a collective future
Read more about the conference👇
www.playthegame.org/2025
August 7, 2025 at 7:52 AM
💥 We are excited to announce that Caster Semenya, Annet Negesa & Evangeline Makena Kathenya will take the stage at #ptg2025 in a session titled👇
🎙 Athletes’ power: Owning their narrative, shaping a collective future
Read more about the conference👇
www.playthegame.org/2025
🎙 Athletes’ power: Owning their narrative, shaping a collective future
Read more about the conference👇
www.playthegame.org/2025
Reposted by Stanis Elsborg
🎤 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 2025: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞
🔗 Download the programme overview👉 playthegame.org/conferences/...
If you have questions about the programme, feel free to reach out to @staniselsborg.bsky.social at stanis@playthegame.org
🔗 Download the programme overview👉 playthegame.org/conferences/...
If you have questions about the programme, feel free to reach out to @staniselsborg.bsky.social at stanis@playthegame.org
July 29, 2025 at 8:49 AM
🎤 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 2025: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞
🔗 Download the programme overview👉 playthegame.org/conferences/...
If you have questions about the programme, feel free to reach out to @staniselsborg.bsky.social at stanis@playthegame.org
🔗 Download the programme overview👉 playthegame.org/conferences/...
If you have questions about the programme, feel free to reach out to @staniselsborg.bsky.social at stanis@playthegame.org
🎤 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 2025: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞
🔗 Download the programme overview👉 playthegame.org/conferences/...
🔗 Download the programme overview👉 playthegame.org/conferences/...
July 29, 2025 at 8:48 AM
🎤 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 2025: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞
🔗 Download the programme overview👉 playthegame.org/conferences/...
🔗 Download the programme overview👉 playthegame.org/conferences/...
🌍 Who should we hear from on mega-event legacies - especially beyond Europe and North America?
We’re organising the below session at Play the Game 2025.
Got a suggestion? Drop it at stanis@playthegame.org
More info about the conference👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
We’re organising the below session at Play the Game 2025.
Got a suggestion? Drop it at stanis@playthegame.org
More info about the conference👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
July 26, 2025 at 2:59 PM
🌍 Who should we hear from on mega-event legacies - especially beyond Europe and North America?
We’re organising the below session at Play the Game 2025.
Got a suggestion? Drop it at stanis@playthegame.org
More info about the conference👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
We’re organising the below session at Play the Game 2025.
Got a suggestion? Drop it at stanis@playthegame.org
More info about the conference👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
🎤 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 2025
The momentum is building for #ptg2025 – and today we're pleased to introduce another group of speakers.
👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
The momentum is building for #ptg2025 – and today we're pleased to introduce another group of speakers.
👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
July 23, 2025 at 9:32 AM
🎤 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 2025
The momentum is building for #ptg2025 – and today we're pleased to introduce another group of speakers.
👉 www.playthegame.org/2025
The momentum is building for #ptg2025 – and today we're pleased to introduce another group of speakers.
👉 www.playthegame.org/2025