How the 1994 World Cup Transformed the Business of Football Forever

The commercialization of global football, particularly the World Cup, transforms the sport into a massive vehicle for corporate sponsorship and geopolitical influence. The 1994 World Cup in the United States marked a pivotal shift toward ruthless commercialization, setting the stage for exponential revenue growth and the integration of multinational advertisers. Football jerseys serve as critical artifacts of this evolution, reflecting complex histories of power, political alignment, and identity, from the removal of political slogans to the controversial display of state-backed sponsors like Gazprom. As the sport increasingly prioritizes individual superstars over traditional club loyalty, the tension between maintaining the game's cultural integrity and maximizing profit intensifies. Freelance journalist Joey D'Urso, author of *More Than a Shirt*, highlights how these financial and political pressures reshape the sport's global landscape, challenging long-standing traditions and fan expectations.