At first glance, you might not imagine that Gianni Infantino, Larry Ellison, and Vladimir Putin have that much in common, apart from their ability to generate enormous wealth and foster rampant corruption. After all, Infantino is the head of the (technically) non-profit FIFA, Ellison a tech mogul, and Putin a murderous dictator. But if you break down their core beliefs, all seem to feel that the world is theirs for the buying and the taking and that all they need do is show a bit of strategic patience to achieve their respective, nefarious objectives, even if things aren’t currently going to plan. And sadly, this common strategy seems to be paying generous dividends.

The FIFA scandal that erupted last week when Infantino revealed his plans to sell off 20% of FIFA (they claimed that “only the commercial rights” were actually for sale, but few were actually privy to the details of the intentionally vague proposal) to a group that included the brother of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner sent the sporting world into a tizzy. Infantino, usually a master of politicking and lining pockets to get his way, couldn’t bribe his way out of this conundrum as regional soccer federations revolted. The European federation—UEFA—led the way, declaring a boycott of all future FIFA events if the planned sale went through. Other, less committed regional federations also noted their skepticism of the deal, and it was dead in the water.

After a World Cup which saw record revenues and attendance, Infantino was riding high. The blatant commercialism, sky-high ticket prices, and in-game ad sales (claiming the necessity to have “hydration breaks”) might have pissed off average fans, but they delighted the poohbahs and federations of FIFA, who are swimming in ever more cash, Scrooge McDuck style. Naturally, Infantino thought himself untouchable and launched this plan wherein he would become the head of this commercial group after his term-limited time atop FIFA is over in a few years. His stinging defeat must have wounded his pride. But his hubris won’t allow him to stop here. The gambit is far from over. And Infantino must feel that if he can only ride out this storm, he can chip away at the solidarity of FIFA members through cash and promises to get his way in time. While some countries have demanded his resignation, he is rallying his allies to remain in power. Patience is a virtue the rich have cultivated. He merely needs to wait out any incensed federations, fervent fans, and the histrionic soccer media. And then he can relaunch his plan in a different guise. You wouldn’t bet against it.

Larry Ellison of course made his initial billions by owning Oracle, the software and now AI infrastructure giant. Though he is worryingly over-leveraged at the moment, given his close relationship with Trump, we wouldn’t be shocked at a government-funded bail-out in the event that his bet on AI doesn’t pan out. In trying to expand his empire and cultural footprint beyond Paramount and CBS News (which he now owns), he and his son David have long had their eye on Warner Brothers and are nearing a takeover of the company that includes CNN. Given Ellison’s politics, it’s easy to see how having the most-distributed international news network under his control and right-wing agenda would be detrimental to a free press. He’s already promised Trump that he would make changes to the network that would no doubt please the would-be authoritarian leader. And this is to say nothing of what it would do to entertainment more broadly, as it becomes consolidated in fewer hands. Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cummings, and Benedict Wong wrote an insightful op-ed in The Guardian last week detailing the potential dangers of such a merger for the entertainment industry.

Ellison’s scheme has thankfully encountered resistance from twelve US states that have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Paramount’s attempted takeover. However, one feels that it’s only a matter of time before Ellison gets a friendly ruling from the crooked US Supreme Court or Trump intervenes on his behalf (or both really). Again, Ellison knows that he can wait it out, play his hand in the courts, and use his vast wealth to tip the scales of justice in his favor in his pursuit of continued media consolidation.

When it comes to Vladimir Putin, his study of history has taught him that Russia tends to win protracted, drawn-out land wars. And Napoleon and Hitler might be tempted to agree from their respective graves. Putin launched this war to validate his belief in the imperial glory of Russia and to undo the collapse of the Soviet Union, an event he refers to as “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.” Never mind the millions killed by murderous Soviet regimes and the fact that its many republics-turned-countries have no desire to reunite with their former imperial masters, he is hellbent upon imposing his will. And he is more than willing to use Russian energy resources and, more importantly and tragically, young Russian lives, to do so.

Thankfully and inspiringly, Ukraine has been able to halt the Russian war machine and even turn the tables somewhat with its superior use of technology (in particular drones) and greater sense of national determination and purpose. Ukraine has been able to strike targets deep into Russia, in particular oil refineries, which has markedly cut down on Russian oil output and caused fuel shortages in the country. Russia has suffered an estimated 1.4 million battlefield casualties since it first attacked Ukraine in 2022, and a further (estimated) one to two million Russians have fled the country rather than be conscripted to die on Ukrainian battlefields. But this has seemingly not deterred Putin, nor caused him to alter his strategy. He likely feels like he waited out the United States’ willingness to support Ukraine, and Europe will be next. After that, Ukraine will break. He need only be patient, because patience benefits the plutocrats and those with no scruples, morals, or decency.

All of these villains believe that time is on their side. FIFA member countries will fall in line when offered stacks of cash. Mergers will be approved if the amounts are big enough and the pressure properly placed. And independent states can be cowed if an autocrat is willing to wait out fickle, weak-willed democracies. Again, you would be foolish to bet against them, as the odds may in fact be in their favor.

And yet, hope persists. Football fans, journalists, and the few honest soccer administrators left continue to fight for the purity of the beautiful game. Independent regulators, state attorneys general, and those who value independent media continue to fight the increasing monopolization of media. And brave Ukrainians continue to fight against Putin’s relentless onslaught, inspiring onlookers with their bravery, ingenuity, and heart.

What can we do to help them? Join the fight online. Convince those in your networks that these fights are worth fighting, and that the stakes are too important to concede defeat. Soccer may seem like a trivial battlefield when compared to Ukraine (and it probably is), but the sport matters deeply to billions around the world and arouses passions like no other. And those World Cup revenues could and should be put to such better use in developing the beautiful game in poorer countries and the poorest communities, instead of lining the already cavernous pockets of corrupt FIFA officials.

We also need to stand up to the Larry Ellisons and Rupert Murdochs of the world, who would kneecap independent media outlets to push their cynical, limited, and often bigoted viewpoints on the masses. Please, as you can, support independent media by subscribing to the outlets you find worthy and reliable. Condemn the monopolization of media and pressure your representatives to resist these takeovers. The hand-in-glove relationship of corrupt populist leaders (Trump, Recep Erdogan, Narendra Modi, among others) and media moguls (Ellison, Murdoch, and even Jeff Bezos) presents an existential threat to democracy. The media must be free not only to report but also to hold accountable the powerful and corrupt. Placing CNN and CBS in the hands of Larry Ellison undermines free media and ensures a free pass for the unprecedented corruption and graft of the Trump family and their cronies, who would buy the World Cup, buy Albanian islands, or buy our democracies.

Finally, we need to support Ukraine and its valiant effort to backstop democracy at Europe’s eastern border. The European Union has seen the wisdom and necessity of these efforts and pledged $90B to support Ukraine’s economy and defense. Trump and the Republican Party’s disgraceful abandonment of Ukraine needs to be examined and reversed. Continue to pressure your politicians to support Ukraine. It’s not a giveaway to aid Ukraine’s military; it’s democracy protection. And it’s vital to stopping Putin and other authoritarians in their tracks and showing them that democracies remain vibrant and committed in the long term to liberty, freedom, and human rights.

We need to show these patient, contemptible plutocrats that democracies can win in the long-run. That their cynical patience won’t necessarily be rewarded. That we will remember, and they will be held accountable for their many sins. We won’t simply capitulate to their demands, just because they have money, influence, and the kind of strategic patience that wealth can buy. And that we’re not for sale at any price.