As phenomenal an atmosphere as Copa America in Chicago was, the event planners just took themselves way too seriously.
Ticket were ridiculously overpriced; the media credentialing process was far too detailed with entrance criteria that was absurdly inflated. As a result, attendance suffered, on both the fan side and journalist side. Announced supporter attendance was 39,000 and change, in a venue that seats 61,500.
For an event of this magnitude (although it remains debatable how much of that magnitude is legitimate versus how much is just cliched TV network corporation hype pablum), it’s just plain embarrassing, because you then end up with photos like these:
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/740393621439033345
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/740394082980237312
You know that 39,000 number is highly inflated. Last week’s Venezuela vs. Jamaica match attracted a listed attendance of 25,560 to Soldier Field. The Chicago Tribune estimated that was two to three times the actual audience. ESPN said there were only 14,000 in attendance that night. You can’t help but feel the event management is getting exactly what they deserved.
It really is a shame too; as the United States Men’s National Team stormed out of the gates and won 4-0 in resounding fashion.
It was a game that maybe could have easily ended up a +5 or +6 in goal different for the Americans, despite the USMNT playing rather lackluster for long stretches of the second half. Bummer that more people don’t show up to watch such a dominant performance, but when you have such overt greed, coupled with a lack of self-awareness by those who set the prices, this is what happens.
@PaulMBanks I looked the day before, cheapest ticket was 94 bucks. The resellers scooped them all up and jacked prices, hence empty seats.
— Nate Beal (@TheCaptain1999) June 8, 2016
@PaulMBanks @FrankFrankerton @EmptySeatsPics and tix were outrageous! Well done money grabbers!
— Joel (@macdaley360) June 8, 2016
"Copa America Centenario organizers are trying to maximize their revenues by gouging people." -Charlie Stillitano on high Copa ticket prices
— SiriusXM FC (@SiriusXMFC) June 6, 2016
At least for those did actually show up the atmosphere was rocking. Even is spite of how this event is pretty much a glorified Gold Cup that’s been re-packaged by the media as some kind of World Cup qualifier, and apparently no one is buying into the hyperbolic rebrand.
Still, there were plenty of flag capes, “Where’s Waldo?” looking USA kits and the ’90s era shirts that looked like a bizarre hybrid of Jackson Pollock action paintings, hyper-colors and the logo for the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
Here’s a photo of Alexei Lalas wearing one:
Copa America attendance has been an issue in some of the other American cities too. It’s already led to people writing the “Copa America should not be held in the U.S. again” op-eds. There’s also been a lot of talk that this poor start could hurt America’s chances of hosting a World Cup in the future.
Again, that’s a real shame as this is Copa America Centenario, the 100th anniversary. It’s also the first tournament held outside South America. In other words, it is kind of a big deal (sort of). However, it’s not as big as the people running Copa America would like to think it is at this point. Also, given that Chicago is where US Soccer has their corporate headquarters, this is a really bad look for Copa America.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram