An “unexpected convergence of threats” is turning this summer’s World Cup into a “nationwide stress test for the governmental institutions charged with pulling it off,” according to Miller & Rivard of POLITICO. The issues facing the event range from “labor strife and high ticket prices to geopolitical turmoil and culture-war politics fanned by” President Trump. FIFA has predicted that the World Cup would be an “economic powerhouse.” But state and local governments worry that FIFA’s restrictions on the ability of host cities to independently fundraise are ”sticking U.S. taxpayers with the bill.” After “complaining that the federal budget is not sufficiently reimbursing them for increased security and transit costs,” some municipalities are now “hunting for new revenue sources of their own via special taxes and fees, and significantly higher train fares.” Politicians are “chafing at the high ticket prices set by FIFA,” which some are “blaming for hotel-room bookings that have fallen short of projections in cities across North America.” Conditions “could worsen even further before the first match” on June 11. Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda has “heightened anxiety about travel and attendance for both fans and teams,” while his war with Iran has “raised questions about whether that country’s squad will even play.” FIFA spokesperson Bryan Swanson in a statement said that the organization is “confident that the event will be a resounding success for everyone involved, all the participating teams, the fans from all around the world and the hosts” (POLITICO, 4/20).
STAYING OPEN LATE: In Boston, Alexa Gagosz noted with just 10 weeks until matches start, Rhode Island lawmakers are “considering extending closing hours for all bars in the state to 3 or 4 a.m., or even for 24 hours per day,” during the World Cup. The proposal is being pitched as a “way to help small businesses, but also to compete with Boston.” Supporters said that longer bar hours “could help Providence attract some of those much-needed tourism dollars that might otherwise flow north” (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/18).
NAME CHANGES: In N.Y., Nicole Rosenthal noted a pair of streets in the city “may soon be named for a pair of world-renowned soccer players” weeks before the World Cup finals kick off at MetLife Stadium -- but it “would only be temporary.” City Councilmember Virginia Maloney introduced legislation Thursday to “temporarily co-name an intersection in Midtown ‘Thierry Henry Way’ after the retired French soccer legend who now calls the city home.” The move to rebrand the intersection at West 50th Street and Sixth Avenue “would take effect immediately, and, if passed, expire on Nov. 1.” Councilmember Shanel Thomas-Henry of Queens also proposed “renaming a Queens street ‘Pelé Way’ -- after the late Brazilian soccer legend who played three seasons with the New York Cosmos -- under the same bill.” The proposals were referred to the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee (N.Y. POST, 4/19).
LODGING A COMPLAINT: THE ATHLETIC’s Adam Crafton noted a “formal complaint has been lodged with the National Labor Relations Board against FIFA and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment,” which accuses the parties of “failing to restrict access” to ICE at SoFi Stadium ahead of the World Cup. The complaint, filed on Thursday, was made by UNITE HERE Local 11, a union that represents more than 30,000 workers across hotels, airports and sports arenas in L.A. and broader Southern California. This includes 2,000 SoFi Stadium workers, “largely working in food and beverage concessions, including cooks, servers and bartenders.” The union’s concerns are “multifaceted but center on the potential presence of ICE at World Cup cities and venues during the tournament.” Union co-President Kurt Petersen described the prospect of a strike as “‘pretty realistic,’ pointing out that the union has a record of following through on its threats” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/17).
ADVERTISING OPTIONS: DIGIDAY’s Sam Bradley notes FIFA partners like Hyundai, Coca-Cola and Unilever will be “joined on billboards and digital-out-of-home (DOOH) by brands priced out of linear and streaming coverage of the tournament.” eMarketer analyst Ross Benes said that the channel is a “‘generally more affordable’ option for advertisers without the deep pockets of FIFA official sponsors” (DIGIDAY, 4/20). ESPN.com’s Leonard Solms notes South African celebrity superfan Joy ‘Mama Joy’ Chauke “secured her ticket” to the World Cup as an “ambassador for sports, fitness and lifestyle brand abOVEnormal” (ESPN.com, 4/20).
