According to journalism scholar Ron Smith, about two-thirds of British journalists accept the practice of paying news sources. And throughout Europe, government officials require "honorariums" before they will grant interviews. In the realm of European sports, tennis and soccer stars typically receive large payments for discussing their game with reporters. While those who have had affairs with sports stars receive large payoffs to be interviewed, as when "Sky News" paid $200,000 to a woman who made that claim regarding soccer player David Beckham. In Eastern Europe and Russia, it's been common practice for government officials to be paid before discussing newsworthy events. When, for example, the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, officials were demanding cash up front for access to news sources and sites.