Fossil fuel companies have invested at least $5.6 billion in sponsorships across various sports, including motorsports, football, golf, and winter sports, as part of a strategy to "buy social license to operate," according to a recent report by the New Weather Institute (NWI), a climate think tank. This funding is seen as an attempt to divert attention from the companies' significant contributions to the climate crisis. The research conducted by NWI reveals that nearly every major spectator sport has been influenced by financial backing from the oil and gas sector, with over 200 sponsorship deals identified between sports teams and these industries. The report highlights the pervasive nature of fossil fuel money in sports and its implications for public perception and environmental accountability.