110. Why do Authoritarian Countries Buy Football Clubs?: Saudi Arabia and the Purchase of Newcastle United! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

At the beginning of October, English football club Newcastle United were taken over by a Saudi Arabian supported investment fund, and over night became one of the world’s richest sport teams. But why do authoritarian governments like to buy football clubs? Let’s discuss this, and learn some new vocabulary, on today’s episode of Thinking in English! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/10/18/110-why-do-authoritarian-countries-buy-football-clubs-saudi-arabias-purchase-of-newcastle-united-english-vocabulary-lesson/ You may also like… 85. Football English: All the Vocabulary You Need to Watch the UEFA European Football Championship in English! (English Vocabulary Lesson) 69. The European Super League: Explained! (English Vocabulary Lesson) 57. Is Democracy Dying?: Freedom House 2021 Report (English Vocabulary Lesson) CONTACT ME!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List Takeover (n) – a situation in which a company gets control of another company by buying enough of its shares The company has decided not to go through with the takeover of its smaller rival Dispute (n) – an argument or disagreement, especially an official one India and Pakistan nearly went to war over a border dispute Rumoured (adj) – used to describe an unofficial, interesting story or piece of news that might be true or invented, and that is communicated quickly from person to person The rumoured plan to sell the company never actually took place Asset (n) – something valuable belonging to a person or organization that can be used for the payment of debts A company’s assets can consist of cash, investments, specialist knowledge, or copyright material To diversify (v) – to start producing a range of different types of products or services, or to invest in a range of different investments, in order to reduce risk Farmers are increasingly diversifying into other activities to supplement their incomes Piracy (n) – the act of illegally copying a computer program, music, a film etc, and selling it Record companies have tried to combat internet piracy Distract (v) – to make someone stop giving their attention to something Stop distracting your sister from her studies! Authoritarian (adj) – demanding that people obey completely and refusing to allow them freedom to act as they wish That country has struggled economically under an authoritarian leader Oligarch (n) – one of a small group of powerful people who control a country or an industry The story of how new Russian oligarchs amassed enormous fortunes when the Soviet Union broke up is fascinating --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support