pay for play
Money buys access
Pay for play describes arrangements where money or favors are exchanged for access, influence, or opportunities that should be awarded on merit.
The phrase appears most often in political contexts, where donors expect favorable treatment from officials they've supported: The investigation revealed a pay-for-play scheme involving city contracts.
It also applies to media, where coverage or airtime is purchased rather than earned, and to sports, where athletes pay to join teams rather than being recruited for talent.
- endorsement dealsPaid promotional contracts
- anti-corruption lawsRules prohibiting official bribery
- influence peddlingSelling political access
- advertising slotsPurchased media time blocks
- whistleblower protectionsLaws shielding those reporting misconduct
patronage systems · money talks · licensing deals · quid pro quo · transparency initiatives · product placement · kickbacks · under the table · performance bonuses · selling out · membership fees · charge card · branded content · influencer marketing · time-work · celebrity endorsements · subscription models · college athletics
- sports cheatingmatch fixing, doping, point shaving, steroids, cheating
- sports ethicssportsmanship, integrity, doping, honesty, respect
- stealth advertisingnative advertising, sponsored content, branded content, advertorials, hidden ads
pay for playmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
merit-based · merit-based selection · equal opportunity · level playing field · fair competition
pay for playtransparency
State of being see-through
good governance · ethical conduct · above board · integrity · accountability
pay for playfree to play
No upfront payment needed
freemium · open access · no strings attached · gratis · pro bono
pay, play, pays, paying, payable, payment, payments, payer, payers