adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton
@adamcrafton.bsky.social
15K followers 330 following 330 posts
✍️ I am a journalist at The Athletic 🏆 British Sports Writer of the Year 🇺🇸 Recently relocated to NYC
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adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 5d
NEW: FIFA are charging BOTH resellers & buyers a 15 per cent fee on its official 2026 World Cup ticket resale platform, which launched Thursday and almost immediately had some tickets listed for tens of thousands of dollars.

Story with @henrybushnell.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
World Cup ticket resale madness begins as FIFA takes two 15% fees on each sale
www.nytimes.com
5 17 51
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 6d
Not a story I ever thought I’d write:

Why a former Paraguayan Miss Universe candidate, who claims to have met President Trump at a pageant in 2013, is petitioning the US President to make visa access easier for soccer fans going to the World Cup….

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
Why a Paraguayan former Miss Universe star has petitioned President Trump over World Cup visas
Model Guadalupe Gonzalez has made an emotional, and surprising, plea on social media
www.nytimes.com
7
Reposted by Adam Crafton
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 7d
Jurgen Klopp, in the second part of his exclusive interview with @adamcrafton.bsky.social, discusses the state of soccer in the U.S. ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

📈 Where youth soccer can improve
🤔 What he thinks of MLS
💎 Are they missing the best talents?

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
Jurgen Klopp
2 5 48
Reposted by Adam Crafton
michaelcaley.bsky.social
Michael Caley @michaelcaley.bsky.social · 8d
Jurgen Klopp really appears to be the most normal person ever to have been a great football manager

(great interview / profile here by @adamcrafton.bsky.social) www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...
Jurgen Klopp interview: Why I don’t miss coaching, my fears for football and a new life at Red Bull
Exclusive: The ex-Liverpool manager gives his most extensive interview since starting his new role with Red Bull
www.nytimes.com
2 4 30
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 15d
Story… @theathleticfc.bsky.social

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hosted heads of state & football execs from Paraguay, Uruguay & Argentina on Tuesday at Trump Tower.

They pitched 64-team 2030 World Cup & for each of the 3 South American nations to host a group.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
FIFA discusses historic 64-team World Cup expansion at Trump Tower meeting
www.nytimes.com
3 8
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 15d
Also interesting; FIFA received complaints about an alleged failure to provide for freedom of religion, which included a lack of prayer rooms in stadiums. www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
World Cup 2026 – what we're hearing: FIFA alerted to 145 human rights concerns at Club World Cup
www.nytimes.com
2 3
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 15d
Other complaints included: 20 or more for extreme heat, discrimination and accessibility issues, as well as a dozen workers rights complaints, 5 harassment and 4 each for freedom of speech and excessive use of force.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
World Cup 2026 – what we're hearing: FIFA alerted to 145 human rights concerns at Club World Cup
www.nytimes.com
1 2 3
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 15d
DHS describe these reports as “another case of fear mongering”, in a statement to @theathletic.com FIFA say they were told by White House Task Force that ICE were not enforcing around CWC.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
World Cup 2026 – what we're hearing: FIFA alerted to 145 human rights concerns at Club World Cup
www.nytimes.com
1 2
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 15d
Exclusive

FIFA received 145 reports of human rights concerns at Club World Cup this summer, mostly from fans via its own grievance mechanism portal. The highest number related to U.S. government policy and enforcement (e.g. alleged sightings of ICE).

www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
World Cup 2026 – what we're hearing: FIFA alerted to 145 human rights concerns at Club World Cup
www.nytimes.com
10 41 140
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 28d
Did you get through?
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 29d
In what world is that the sole alternative?
1
Reposted by Adam Crafton
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 29d
Exclusive :

NYC mayoral favorite Zohran Mamdani has launched a World Cup petition demanding FIFA;

🎫Scrap dynamic pricing plan

💰Cap prices on resale platform (currently no cap)

💰Keep 15% of tickets aside at discount for local residents

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Zohran Mamdani calls on FIFA to abandon dynamic pricing plan for World Cup tickets
www.nytimes.com
4 28 140
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 29d
In a direct challenge to FIFA, Mamdani says: “FIFA is using dynamic pricing for ticket sales. They can raise prices, in real time, depending on how much profit they think they can make off of us”

Full story @theathleticfc.bsky.social

t.co/T0zgkEEPzf
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6614124/2025/09/09/zohran-mamdani-world-cup-tickets/?source=emp_shared_article
t.co
5 10
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 29d
Exclusive :

NYC mayoral favorite Zohran Mamdani has launched a World Cup petition demanding FIFA;

🎫Scrap dynamic pricing plan

💰Cap prices on resale platform (currently no cap)

💰Keep 15% of tickets aside at discount for local residents

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Zohran Mamdani calls on FIFA to abandon dynamic pricing plan for World Cup tickets
www.nytimes.com
4 28 140
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 29d
NEW:

A secret trailer of a demo for a FIFA 26 video game for the World Cup - which features FIFA sponsors Bank of America, McDonalds and Coca-Cola - has been seen by the Athletic. Are FIFA plotting a rival game to EA FC?

Details in this column:

t.co/wo9F1My7vc
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6610547/2025/09/09/world-cup-cristiano-ronaldo-usmnt/?source=emp_shared_article
t.co
1 4
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 29d
NEW

FIFA opened applications for 65000 volunteers for 2026 World Cup - & Infantino says tens of thousands of them will come from overseas - BUT …. U.S. state department is still to inform FIFA which visa class that volunteers may apply for

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
World Cup 2026 – what we’re hearing: Cristiano Ronaldo in line for U.S. return
With less than a year to go until the 2026 men's World Cup, here's what soccer correspondent Adam Crafton is hearing ahead of the tournament
www.nytimes.com
2 9 20
Reposted by Adam Crafton
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · Aug 28
Exclusive;

What *really* happened at Michel Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, which owes athletes millions

💰GST never had $30m+ cash in 1st place
💵Todd Boehly’s Eldridge backed away from non-binding term sheet for up to $40m to rescue GST after opening meet in Kingston

www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track: $19m shortfall, unpaid athletes and a lost backer
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
www.nytimes.com
2 2 12
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · Aug 28
GST and Winners Alliance continue to insist they believe in the idea and are seeking further funding. The full remarkable inside story as a track legend scrambles to salvage his reputation and his league. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track: $19m shortfall, unpaid athletes and a lost backer
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
www.nytimes.com
1
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · Aug 28
Further big payments owed to multiple contractors, facilities and World Athletics (for use of rights and rankings). GST has cut members of exec team and reduced staff pay. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track: $19m shortfall, unpaid athletes and a lost backer
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
www.nytimes.com
1 1
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · Aug 28
Even now, the only money paid out by GST to athletes is promotional fees from Jamaica; prize money still not paid, and all fees for Miami and Philly not paid. Some agents considering legal action, others more patient. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track: $19m shortfall, unpaid athletes and a lost backer
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
www.nytimes.com
1 1
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · Aug 28
Yet Eldridge sources insist their concerns centred on the business model; a reliance on event-day revenue which then became a bigger problem when Jamaica meet underwhelmed. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track: $19m shortfall, unpaid athletes and a lost backer
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
www.nytimes.com
1 1
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · Aug 28
The Philly meet was almost cancelled: still in balance 10 days before the event. In agent calls, MJ blamed payment delays first on drug testing delays, then cited world economic turmoil as dissuading investors. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track: $19m shortfall, unpaid athletes and a lost backer
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
www.nytimes.com
1 1
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · Aug 28
While cause for optimism with Eldridge deal sheet; Johnson knew before Jamaica funding not guaranteed & agents/athletes were not informed before Miami & Philly meets that funding was an issue, even as business class travel + $12.6m prize pot remained www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track: $19m shortfall, unpaid athletes and a lost backer
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
www.nytimes.com
1 1
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · Aug 28
While GST went public last year declaring they had $30m+ “secured financial commitments”, the truth, they & lead investors Winners Alliance now concede, is they had $13m with WA having the OPTION of investing a further $19m. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track: $19m shortfall, unpaid athletes and a lost backer
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
www.nytimes.com
1 1
adamcrafton.bsky.social
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · Aug 28
Exclusive;

What *really* happened at Michel Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, which owes athletes millions

💰GST never had $30m+ cash in 1st place
💵Todd Boehly’s Eldridge backed away from non-binding term sheet for up to $40m to rescue GST after opening meet in Kingston

www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track: $19m shortfall, unpaid athletes and a lost backer
Michael Johnson's track league was supposed to 'revolutionize' the sport. Instead, it is hanging on life support after just three meets
www.nytimes.com
2 2 12