The special edition of the Copa America to be staged across US cities in June is to be the biggest in the tournament’s 100-year history, Forbes magazine reported on Friday.
Marketing officials connected with the Copa America Centenario — a one-off edition featuring 16 teams from North and South America to celebrate the tournament’s 100th anniversary — are forecasting ticket sales of between 1.5 million and 2 million, Forbes reported.
Last year’s Copa America in Chile — which involved only 12 teams — attracted about 656,000 fans.
“The scale of the 2016 Copa America Centenario will be, at a minimum, twice the size of Copa America 2015, from both in-stadium attendance, global television reach and US market awareness,” said Soccer United Marketing president Kathy Carter, head of Major League Soccer’s commercial arm.
“This will be the single biggest soccer event since the 1994 FIFA World Cup and we expect that to start with the launch of ticket sales,” she added.
This year’s tournament, set to feature some of the biggest names in world soccer, including Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, is being staged outside South America for the first time.
Ticket sales begin next month for the June 3 to June 26 spectacle.
There was concern the event might not happen in the wake of the US Department of Justice’s probe into FIFA that has rocked soccer’s global governing body, but backers are ready and stars are to line up in five months, including three of the world’s six top teams in Argentina, Chile and Brazil, plus other South American sides and North American teams, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Haiti, Panama and the US.
Matches are to be played in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Orlando, Phoenix, Seattle and the Super Bowl host venue in Santa Clara, California.
A successful staging by the US could boost the nation’s hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing out to Qatar for the 2022 tournament.
“We see Copa Centenario as a key part of the continued successful growth of soccer in the US and a huge energy moment for the sport,” Nike NA Soccer general manager Andrea Perez said. “It is going to be a huge moment for the game of soccer and for sport in America in general.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely