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Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Sports

The World Cup is just under a year away, as Qatar 2022 kicks off on Nov. 21.

Why it matters: This will be the first World Cup held in the Middle East, and the last to feature 32 teams before expanding to 48 in 2026. It's also the first World Cup held outside May, June or July to avoid Qatar's searing summertime heat.

Who's in: 13 of 32 countries have already qualified, including host nation Qatar (No. 51 in FIFA world rankings). Also in: Belgium (No. 1); Brazil (No. 2); France (No. 3); England (No. 4); Argentina (No. 5); Spain (No. 7); Denmark (No. 9); Netherlands (No. 10); Germany (No. 11); Switzerland (No. 13); Croatia (No. 15); Serbia (No. 23).

Venues: Five of eight stadiums have already been inaugurated, and two more will join them next week at the Arab Cup. Lusail Stadium, the largest venue and site of the final, opens next year.

Migrant workers: There are plans to develop a workers' rights center in Qatar, where more than 6,500 migrant workers have died in the past decade — many while working World Cup-related jobs.

Qatar 2022: One year out

It will be the first World Cup held in the Middle East, and the last to feature 32 teams before expanding to 48 in 2026.

A building in Doha with "FIFA World Cup" on it. 

world cup

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

Chicago

Axios Chicago

After watching the Bears lose their 5th game in a row, it's hard to root for a team that is out of the playoff race by Thanksgiving. Lately, that distinction has been reserved for the Bulls. 

Why it matters: The team's makeover and hot start have Chicagoans rooting (and spending) for the Bulls. 

According to Vivid Seats, the average price for a Bulls ticket during the 2019-20 season was $96. This season? The average price for a seat is $130, a 40% increase. 

What they're saying: Even though the November broadcast ratings won't be out until December, the flagship radio station for Bulls basketball notices the buzz.  

"The resurgence of the Bulls has been so great for our audience," The Score's General Manager Mitch Rosen tells Axios. "This Bulls team is what the people of Chicagoland needed this winter!"

By the numbers: A few eye-popping stats to point out how this Bulls season is already looking special: 

These new-look Bulls have won 13 (UPDATE TK AFTER GAME) games in 2021. Last year? It took three months to win 13 games. 

Star guards Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan are both averaging over 25 points a game. Duos that have hit that average over a full season include Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn 2020/21), Durant and Steph Curry (Golden State 2017/18) and LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (Miami 2011/12).

On their recent West Coast trip, the Bulls beat the Lakers and the Clippers at the Staples Center for the first time since 2011. Then they beat the Nuggets in Denver for the first time since 2006. And finished with a winning record on the trip for the first time since 2016. 

Must watch: The Bulls take on Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat on Saturday.

Move over Bears — Chicago is seeing red

The new-look Bulls are grabbing Chicago's attention after a great start.

A photo of two basketball players on the court. 

 DeMar DeRozan #11 and Zach LaVine #8 during a recent game against the 76ers in Philadelphia. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images 

Tampa Bay

The Buccaneers forced three turnovers and turned 307 Tom Brady passing yards into a big 30-10 win over the Giants on Monday Night Football. 

The win snaps a two game losing streak and puts Brady over 3,000 yards passing on the season. 

MVP(s): Other than 'ol Timeless Tom? It was nice to have Gronk back. The big tight end played his first full game since Week 3 and caught six balls for 71 yards. 

Mike Evans paced the team in receiving yards but also committed a terrible drop that led to the Giants only touchdown. 

LVP: New York quarterback Daniel Jones gift-wrapped an easy interception to 310 pound defensive lineman Steve McLendon as one of his two picks. 

He finished with 167 passing yards on 4.4 yards per attempt, a stat line from the 1950s. 

Context: The win gets the 7-3 Bucs a healthy two-game lead over the Saints in the NFC South. 

Injury to monitor: Left guard Ali Marpet, an absolute mauler crucial to the run game, left the game in the second quarter with an oblique injury and didn't return.

What's next: The Bucs go on the road to take on the surging Colts next Sunday. 

Bucs, Brady dominate on Monday Night Football

The win puts Brady over 3,000 yards passing on the season.

Tom Brady breaks a tackle on a QB scramble on Monday. 

Tom Brady breaks a tackle on a QB scramble on Monday. Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

National Football League (NFL)

Axios Tampa Bay, anchored by Ben Montgomery and Selene San Felice, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.

Axios Tampa Bay

Axios Sports

Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis star who disappeared after accusing a former top government official of sexual assault, reemerged this weekend — but this story is far from over.

Driving the news: Peng held a 30-minute video call on Sunday with IOC president Thomas Bach. According to the IOC, she is safe and well at her Beijing home and asked for privacy at this time.

Chinese state media journalists published photos and videos showing Peng allegedly sitting in her bedroom, eating dinner with friends and attending a tennis event.

China's state-owned broadcaster released a statement from Peng that read more like a hostage note. In it, she said her sexual assault allegation was "untrue" and that "everything is fine."

State of play: The unverified videos, photos and statement have been met with widespread skepticism, and the IOC call didn't satisfy WTA CEO Steve Simon, who has threatened to pull tournaments out of China and is demanding a proper investigation.

"It was good to see Peng Shuai in recent videos, but they don't alleviate or address the WTA's concern about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion."

"[The IOC video] does not change our call for a full, fair and transparent investigation, without censorship, into her allegation of sexual assault, which is the issue that gave rise to our initial concern."

The backdrop: The Peng scandal comes amid calls to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics over China's human rights record. Last week, President Biden said the U.S. is "considering" a diplomatic boycott.

The IOC has faced intense backlash for holding the Games in Beijing, and was criticized for being slow to respond to Peng's disappearance.

The organization put its reputation further on the line with Sunday's video call, a seemingly casual chat that some have labeled a "publicity stunt."

The big picture: After decades of mostly silence from corporations, the WTA's willingness to challenge the Chinese government, demand transparency and risk losing millions of dollars is "radical and transgressive," writes Slate's Ben Rothenberg.

"We've grown so accustomed to silence when there's money at stake in the China market," tweeted the Economist's Gady Epstein.

Could the tide be shifting as the Olympics approach? Or is Simon's aggressive posture destined to be a mere footnote in history?

Go deeper: Missing Chinese tennis player tells Olympic Committee she is safe

China's Peng Shuai scandal is far from over

The Peng scandal comes amid calls to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics over China's human rights record.

Peng Shuai on a video call with IOC president Thomas Bach.

Peng Shuai on a video call with IOC president Thomas Bach. Photo: Greg Martin/AFP via Getty Images 

China

Bears blow late lead, season slips away

The Bears drop their fifth in a row and lose starting quarterback Justin Fields.

 Robert Quinn #94 of the Chicago Bears makes a move. Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images 

Tuesday's sports stories

Qatar 2022: One year out

Move over Bears — Chicago is seeing red

Bucs, Brady dominate on Monday Night Football

China's Peng Shuai scandal is far from over

Bears blow late lead, season slips away