By Ben Nicholson
October 1 – The rivalry between Mexico and the US national teams has reached levels worthy of cinematic production. The upcoming one-off CONCACAF playoff between the pair, which will decide who will go to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, is slated for the big screen in 200 locations across the US.
Fathom Events are collaborating with Fox Sports 1 for the winner takes all game. The game is scheduled for Saturday, October 10 at 9.30 p.m. ET. However, the pre-game show will be played on screen half an hour prior to kick-0ff.
Fathom Events are exploiting the emerging market of alternative sports-entertainment. They routinely offer entertainment events in movie theaters, creating a similar in-stadium atmosphere to remote fans.
Public viewings are now routine functions of World Cups and European Championships, providing forums to those in home nations and host nations who could not find their way into the actual stadiums. The movement into theaters for unique games such as this is premised on the same appeal.
David Nathanson, Head of Business at FOX Sports, stated, “We’re really excited to be working with Fathom Events to bring the huge match between the US and Mexico to big screens throughout the country. Live sports are the ultimate shared community experience, and the electric scene at what will be a jam-packed Rose Bowl will no doubt have fans in theaters feeling as if they’re in Pasadena too.”
In Mexico, broadcaster TV Azteca is treating the game with the same dramatic flair. They have been airing a commercial, backed by the Jimi Hendrix’ rendition of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’, quoting Donald Trump’s infamous statement, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best.”
Trump went on to say that: “They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, their rapists,” though this follow up did not make the editorial cut.
Rather, TV Azteca extract and replay the following sentences from Trump’s speech: “Our country is in serious trouble…We don’t have victories any more”, and “The American dream is dead.”
Though Trump’s provocative rhetoric has rendered him atop the polls for the Republican Party’s nomination for the 2016 Presidential election, it is equally inspiring a lust among Mexicans for a victory over the USA come October 10.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1735231873labto1735231873ofdlr1735231873owedi1735231873sni@n1735231873osloh1735231873cin.n1735231873eb1735231873