RATLINKS: DOG DANGLING DAYS OF SUMMER
Getting into the Copa, the Copa America the hottest match outside of Habana
In recent years, the live music industry has witnessed a dramatic surge in prices, with some concert tickets and associated costs reaching eye-watering levels. Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour have set new benchmarks, with fans willingly shelling out thousands for premium experiences or being left to watch the concert from a hill in Munich.
When Disney began charging for parking at Disney World it led to a public outcry and threats of a congressional hearing. Today parking fees of $50 or more are often expected or met with a mere shrug. The skyrocketing costs stem from a perfect storm of factors: massive demand meeting limited supply, increasingly elaborate production values, the influence of secondary markets, and artists seeking to recoup revenues lost to streaming.
However, this pricing model is showing signs of strain. While megastars continue to sell out shows, some artists are facing tour cancellations like J. Lo and The Black Keys due to lackluster ticket sales as large venues struggle to fill seats for popular yet expensive acts. The industry teeters on the edge of what many consider "peak event" pricing, raising the question is this going to ruin the tour?
Despite these concerns, the willingness of consumers to spend big on unique experiences seems undiminished, extending beyond music into other entertainment realms. Take, for example, Copa América, South America's prestigious soccer tournament, where fans invested thousands in tickets, travel, and accommodations for this rare opportunity, echoing the fervor seen in high-profile concert tours.
CONMEBOL COPA AMERICA
As the sun set over Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024, the stage was set for an epic clash between Argentina and Colombia in the Copa America final. But what should have been a showcase of South American soccer at its finest instead devolved into scenes of pandemonium that delayed kickoff by 90 minutes and left organizers scrambling to prevent disaster.
For hours, fans pressed against the black metal barriers, desperation mounting as kickoff time approached. desperate fans resorted to extreme measures. Some scaled walls, others crawled through air vents.
A stampede began and the decision to eventually open the gates unleashed a flood of humanity into the stadium. An estimated 7,000 ticketless fans surged in, while ironically, many who had paid thousands for legitimate tickets found themselves locked out, pressed helplessly against the now-sealed entry points.
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Facundo's Fantastic Fútbol Foray
Outside of Hard Rock Stadium a sea of blue and white Argentine jerseys mingles with yellow Colombian shirts. Fans chant and wave flags as they press against closed gates. FACUNDO, a wiry man in his 30s wearing a weathered Messi jersey, expertly weaves through the crowd.
FACUNDO: (muttering) Permiso, con permiso... Ay, cuidado con la bandera!
As he moves, Facundo's hands work independently: swiping an empanada, pocketing a dropped VIP pass, and unhooking a security guard's walkie-talkie. No one notices.
SECURITY GUARD: (through megaphone) No more entry! The stadium's at capacity!
FACUNDO: (to himself) Capacity, schmapacity. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
He overhears two maintenance workers
WORKER 1: Did you lock that A/C vent on the east side?
WORKER 2: I thought you did it.
WORKER 1: (sighing) I'll check.
Facundo's eyes light up. He smears empanada grease on his arms
FACUNDO: (softly) Get busy living, or get busy dying. That's goddamn right.
Scene transition: Facundo squeezes into a large vent opening
FACUNDO: (whispering) Messi, Maradona, y la Virgen de Luján... guide me!
Crawling through the vent, grunting and sliding
FACUNDO: Left at Maracanã, right at Bernabéu... just like that tunnel under Estadio Mâs Monumental
He encounters a tight turn
FACUNDO: Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs...
He wriggles through
FACUNDO: Now I know what a TV dinner feels like.
Suddenly, he starts sliding uncontrollably and then crashes through a grate, landing with a thud
FACUNDO: Ay, dios mío! I've fallen and I can't... believe my eyes!
Facundo finds himself sprawled in a pile of uniforms. He emerges, covered in dust and grease, to find himself in a room filled with washing machines and dryers. A single ATTENDANT, wearing headphones and bobbing to music, hasn't noticed him.
FACUNDO: (to himself) The laundry room? All that for the laundry room?! (sighs) Well, Facundo, sometimes you get the glory, sometimes you get the dirty jerseys.
Suddenly, the door bursts open. The TEAM MANAGER rushes in, frantic.
MANAGER: ¿Dónde está? Where is it? The lucky jersey! Messi won't play without his lucky jersey!
The Attendant, oblivious, continues folding clothes. The Manager spots Facundo.
MANAGER: You! New guy! Have you seen a jersey with a... (squints at Facundo) Why are you covered in grease?
FACUNDO: (thinking fast) Uh... new pre-wash treatment! For... extra luck?
MANAGER: (desperate) Never mind that! Find the jersey! Small. Number 10. Smells faintly of mate and glory.
Facundo springs into action, digging through piles of laundry.
FACUNDO: On it, jefe! If there's one thing I know, it's how to find a needle in a... pile of other needles!
As he searches, he mutters to himself
FACUNDO: C'mon, Messi's mojo... show yourself to Facundo...
His eyes suddenly widen as his hand closes on something
FACUNDO: Wait a minute... could it be? (dramatically pulls out a jersey) By the hand of God and the feet of Maradona!
MANAGER: (snatching it) ¡Milagro! You've saved us all! Now move, move, move!
The Manager rushes out. Facundo looks at the Attendant, still oblivious, then at the door. As he slips out the door we hear a roar from the crowd and excited Spanish commentary.
ANNOUNCER: (off-stage) ¡Goooooooooooooool! Argentina takes the lead!
Facundo pokes his head back in, beaming
FACUNDO: (to audience) Remember, amigos, sometimes you find glory, and sometimes... (he holds up a VIP pass he swiped earlier) glory finds you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a game to watch. Yippee ki-yay, fútbol lover!
He dashes out, his joyous "Vamos Argentina!" echoing down the hall.
The camera pans to Facundo exiting his seat as the game ends. The attendant finally looks up, confused by the empty room.
Suddenly, blue and white confetti rains down from above, as the team along with a crush of fans including Facundo rushes past
FIN
