Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

Events and Attractions

Ronaldo's Potential Absence Hurts Star Power For Miami El Clasico, But Not Expectations

Real Madrid F Cristiano Ronaldo's status for Saturday's Int'l Champions Cup match against Barcelona at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium is unknown, but Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross said he was "more pessimistic than optimistic" about Ronaldo's participation, according to Michelle Kaufman of the MIAMI HERALD. Ross, whose Relevent Sports runs the ICC, added there is a "private jet for Ronaldo if he decides to show up." Ross: "We’ve reached out, we’ve done everything. He hasn’t said finally no. We’ll probably know relatively soon.” Kaufman notes Ronaldo did "not travel with the team" to its two ICC matches in California, and his schedule is "complicated because he is expected to be in a Madrid courtroom Monday to testify in a tax-evasion case (MIAMI HERALD, 7/28). In Ft. Lauderdale, Matthew DeFranks notes Ronaldo missing Saturday's match would "dim the star power" at the first version of El Clasico to take place in the U.S. However, Barcelona F Lionel Messi's participation has "not been in doubt," while Barcelona F Neymar is "considered a near lock to play in Miami at some point" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/28).

TRULY A GLOBAL AFFAIR: The HERALD's Kaufman reported a "sellout crowd of 64,767 is expected" for Saturday’s match, and big crowds are also "expected at Bayfront Park Friday and Saturday for Casa Clasico, a free fan festival featuring live music, soccer interactive games and player appearances." Many of those fans "will be tourists" as only 30% of the tickets for El Clasico Miami "were purchased by South Florida residents." The other 70% came from all over the U.S., and "more than 50 other countries and territories." Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO Bill Talbert: "Even though it’s officially a soccer friendly, this event ranks right up near the top from a tourism standpoint, like a Super Bowl." Kaufman noted El Clasico organizers have been "bombarded with ticket requests" from athletes and celebs. Warriors F Draymond Green, Knicks F Carmelo Anthony, Bears WR Victor Cruz, Wizards G John Wall and former MLBer Mariano Rivera are among those "expected to attend." ICC CEO Daniel Sillman said, “All the big talent agencies have contacted us for tickets for their clients." Fan clubs across the country for the two La Liga teams have "members flying in," with more than 1,200 of them "expected at a private pre-game party Friday night, and ... tailgating together Saturday" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/26).

MORE THAN A MATCH: The SUN-SENTINEL's DeFranks noted exhibition soccer matches are "not supposed to be a big deal," but Barcelona-Real Madrid is "not just any exhibition soccer match." Parties on Miami Beach and pop concerts have "given El Clasico a vibe that mimics a Super Bowl." Marc Anthony is "performing the halftime show of Saturday’s game, while Prince Royce will sing the national anthem." RSE Ventures President & CEO Matt Higgins said, "I would argue that it’s even a little bit different than the Super Bowl because the Super Bowl is in a steady rotation. It must be held every year, it must be awarded to some city. Theoretically, we could have gone another 30 years and the Clasico would have never taken place in the United States." The game is drawing an "extreme presence from ESPN," which will have 25 "on-air commentators to Miami to cover El Clasico" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/22). In Miami, Greg Cote wrote under the header, "Is El Clasico Miami As Big As Hosting A Super Bowl? Don't Be Ridiculous. It's Bigger." The match is the "grandest, most famous rivalry, by a lot, in the most popular sport on earth -- Yankees vs. Red Sox times a ton." This will be the first time El Clasico will be held "not on Spanish soil since one was played in Venezuela 35 years ago." These are "glorified exhibition games, 'friendlies,' yes, but they also are tuneup games for the coming league seasons." That and the "stature of the teams helps assure top-level rosters and high intensity" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/23).

VR ASPECTS: In Ft. Lauderdale, Craig Davis noted the game will be "broadcast in virtual reality by NextVR." The California-based firm has "provided live soccer via the VR headset before, but this will be a first for the El Clasico showdown between two of the world’s premier clubs." Highlights in VR will "also be offered from the match." The VR broadcast will "have its own dedicated announcers and be available in English and Spanish." It will "include the halftime show" featuring Anthony and "offer behind-the-scenes footage exclusive to VR" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/25).

CULMINATION FOR RSE: FORBES' Darren Heitner noted the match has "been a long time in the making and is a marquee event" for RSE. El Clasico is a "test to tap the limits of international fan interest in the U.S. for not only the game, but a week of events in celebration of the match-up, which includes concerts, brand partnerships, team pep rallies and art installations in and around Miami." Succeeding with soccer in the U.S. may be the "toughest challenge that Ross has faced in his career." Ross: "We're looking to really work with European teams as opposed to investing in a club. We've invested a lot of money in this. I could have bought a club. We will look to get more games and some other matches here (in Miami) other than just in the Summer. Our concentration is dealing with the European teams" (FORBES.com, 7/25).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/07/28/Events-and-Attractions/El-Clasico.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/07/28/Events-and-Attractions/El-Clasico.aspx

CLOSE