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DALLAS, Texas — The World Cup was supposed to be Dallas’s moment to shine. The city is famously image-conscious, and the powers-that-be trumpeted the fact that more Cup matches were scheduled here than any other host city. It seemed like a coup for a town whose football team (the other kind of football) bills itself as “America’s team.”
But off the pitch, Dallas leaders have spent the spring and summer fighting a series of political fights, many of them centered around sports. It’s a cautionary tale to the many European tourists who have marveled at America’s glittering sporting venues, but are unaware of the complex economic and political forces that have shaped them, for better and for worse.
Before the soccer tournament even started, the city’s pro basketball team had announced it was leaving its downtown arena. Then the hockey team decamped for a new arena in the suburbs.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson was booed when he attended a World Cup Fan Fest. Along the way, the city was forced to furlough non-essential workers because of a budget shortfall, so the public libraries were closed for a day last week.
“There’s a lot of — the only word I can think of is — drama,” City Councilmember Paula Blackmon said.
To be clear, the World Cup matches aren’t being played in Dallas. They’re 15 miles west, in Arlington, Texas. The Texas Rangers play baseball a few blocks away.
But Dallas proper could still stake a claim as a professional sports hub. The Dallas Mavericks (basketball) and the Dallas Stars (hockey) have spent the last 25 years at American Airlines Center, a retro-styled arena just north of the central business district, which is served by its dedicated light rail stop. That arena’s future has been at the heart of the fighting.
Last fall, the city began discussing the idea of tearing down its City Hall to make way for a new sports arena. The building is showing its age — or its neglect — and city officials estimate it’ll take hundreds of millions of dollars to repair it.
Some in Dallas questioned whether the teams need a new arena, since the American Airlines Center — which is 1.6 miles from City Hall — seems to work just fine. Others objected to tearing down the building since its architect, I.M. Pei, is kind of a big deal.
The conflict divided the city council into two factions — the majority in favor of tearing down the building, the minority trying to preserve it. Blackmon and another council member, both of whom favor preserving the old City Hall, sued the city in June trying to block a vote on tearing down the building.
To some extent, the fight has been a proxy for the broader fight over how to preserve downtown Dallas. AT&T, the telecom giant which has had its corporate headquarters in Dallas since 2008, announced this spring it’s moving to the suburbs, citing rising crime, homelessness and government dysfunction. Even the luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, the most Dallas of institutions, is closing its downtown store.
Former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller, who got into politics after a career as an investigative reporter, said the fracas over the sports arena is a symptom of the city’s dysfunctional government. Dallas has a weak mayor and its city council has been divided for decades, which gives developers — and sports teams — the upper hand in negotiating with the city.
Miller is famous locally for turning down the Dallas Cowboys when team owner Jerry Jones asked for a publicly-financed stadium inside the city in the early 2000s.
The Cowboys — like the Mavericks and Stars before them — promised to help redevelop neglected parts of the city. Miller argued that the city was better off putting its funds into basic services like public safety and infrastructure — and pointed to a string of broken promises from the sports teams and other big developers.
“It’s kind of Dallas’ Achilles heel, because Dallas will just do anything to quote unquote ‘save the teams,’ even though all the teams are all within a 30-minute drive of all of our homes,” she said.
Dallas’s local organizing committee for the World Cup declined to comment for this story, as did a spokesperson for the Mavericks. A spokesperson for the Stars didn’t respond to requests for comment. Johnson, the Dallas mayor, also declined several interview requests.
Most of the fighting has been invisible to World Cup fans, who will flock to town Tuesday for the region’s final World Cup match, which is the semi-final between France and Spain. But the outcome of the city council fight could affect Dallas for decades to come.
Politics
England will take on Argentina in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday, July 15, at Atlanta Stadium, with both nations competing for a place in the final. It is an intercontinental rivalry shaped by memorable World Cup encounters and intensified by political tensions away from the pitch. The two countries have not faced each other since 2005, while this will also mark the first time in Lionel Messi’s illustrious career that he has played against England. The Three Lions possess one of the most talented squads in the tournament, while Argentina is filled with players who understand what it takes to win at the highest level. Below is our combined England-Argentina XI ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal: Formation: 4-4-2 Goalkeeper Both Premier League goalkeepers have been between the posts for their respective nations at multiple major international tournaments, and both have been critical to their national teams’ success in the past and present. Emiliano Martínez gets the slight nod as the better shot-stopper of the two. He has come up huge for Argentina as they won two Copa América titles and a World Cup, including massive performances in penalty shootouts. Of course, his most iconic moment came in the final minute of extra time in the 2022 World Cup final, when he made the save of a lifetime against Randal Kolo Muani. That stop kept Argentina alive, and they went on to win the final on penalties. Verdict: Emiliano Martínez, Argentina Right Back Nahuel Molina continues to command the right-back position for Argentina and scored a huge goal in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal against the Netherlands. But Reece James, despite being banged up at times, gets the nod pretty clearly. When healthy, James is widely recognized as one of the best right backs in world football. Verdict: Reece James Right Center Back Ezri Konsa has been versatile for England, playing as the center back next to Marc Guéhi while also providing cover at right back because of England’s injuries and suspensions in that area. His versatility has been important to Thomas Tuchel. Cristian Romero gets the nod, though, as he has anchored Argentina’s back line for many years and continues to be one of the most reliable defenders in this side. Verdict: Cristian Romero Left Center Back Marc Guéhi made the move to Manchester City in January and completely changed the outlook of a back line that had been struggling. He has provided that necessary backbone defensively for England, consistently performing as one of their most reliable center backs throughout this World Cup and the last European Championship. Lisandro Martínez’s ball-playing ability and physicality are key for Argentina, but Guéhi gets the nod here. Verdict: Marc Guehi Left Back Nicolás Tagliafico feels like he has been part of this Argentina squad for decades, and he has always been that consistent piece at left back for his national team. But on a technical level, Nico O’Reilly is really out of this world. Even as a converted midfielder, he has shown his recovery speed and ability to handle the defensive demands of playing fullback. O’Reilly is one of those youngsters at this World Cup who is showing that he can go to the very top. Verdict: Nico O’Reilly Holding Midfielder Elliot Anderson’s ability off the ball, along with his passing range, has been important for England while playing in that double pivot. He looks like one of those players who will be involved in the English setup for a long time. But Enzo Fernández is one of the best midfielders in the world. He is playing a slightly deeper role than he usually does for Chelsea, but he is still doing it at a high level. Enzo gets the nod in this one, but Anderson is a proper player. Verdict: Enzo Fernández Left Central Midfielder Due to formation issues, Anthony Gordon is listed as a left central midfielder, and he has shown signs of why Barcelona brought him into the club for $80 million. But Alexis Mac Allister has to get the nod because of the winner he is. He played a huge role in Argentina winning the 2022 World Cup and Liverpool winning the Premier League, doing all the dirty work in midfield while also having the ability to be a threat going forward. He showed that again in the quarterfinals against Switzerland, scoring the go-ahead goal in the 10th minute. In those big games, you want Mac Allister on your team. Verdict: Alexis Mac Allister Right Central Midfielder Coming off winning the Premier League, Declan Rice would love to double up by adding a World Cup to his résumé. Playing in the double pivot with Elliot Anderson has been important to England, especially earlier in the tournament, and his set-piece delivery has also been a real weapon. Rice has had to deal with a sickness during the tournament, but on his day, he is still seen as one of the best midfielders in the world. Because of that, he gets the nod over Leandro Paredes, who was introduced into Argentina’s starting lineup as the tournament unfolded. Verdict: Declan Rice Central Attacking Midfielder Jude Bellingham has been one of the players of the tournament, scoring six goals as a midfielder while providing ball-carrying ability, doing the dirty work in midfield and still having the capacity to make late runs into the box and score goals. He has been doing it all for England. And despite Rodrigo De Paul having a solid tournament and elevating the level we have seen from him at Inter Miami, Bellingham has the clear advantage in this one. Verdict: Jude Bellingham Right Forward This is one of the most lopsided conversations in this combined XI. Lionel Messi has eight goals through six games, and everything Argentina does going forward runs through him. He is widely recognized as the best to ever do it, and he continues to be the focal point of this Argentina side. Madueke, who is probably only playing for England because of Saka’s fitness, has been pretty disappointing on multiple occasions this tournament, including being subbed off at halftime in the quarterfinal matchup against Norway. Messi has a clear and wide advantage over Madueke in this one. Verdict: Lionel Messi Left Forward Harry Kane has had a phenomenal tournament, scoring six goals at this World Cup and becoming England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer. He had a pivotal late brace against DR Congo that saved England and allowed them to still be here today. Kane and Jude Bellingham have done some unbelievable heavy lifting for this England squad. Julián Álvarez had a quiet start to the tournament, but it was only a matter of time until his quality showed through. He produced a brilliant moment of magic against Switzerland late in extra time to put Argentina ahead 2-1 and win them a nail-biting quarterfinal. Álvarez is a very good player, but Kane gets the advantage in this one. Verdict: Harry Kane Final Combined XI For Argentina And England GK: Emiliano MartínezRB: Reece JamesCB: Cristian RomeroCB: Marc GuéhiLB: Nico O’ReillyCM: Enzo FernándezCM: Alexis Mac AllisterCM: Declan RiceCAM: Jude BellinghamRW: Lionel MessiST: Harry KaneLatest Sports News from FOX Sports
There’s been no shortage of top political figures attending World Cup matches to cheer on their home teams, but when Spain faces off against France in the tournament’s semifinals in Dallas today, neither the country’s head of state nor its head of government will be in the stands.
Spanish King Felipe VI traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, to witness the national team’s triumph over Uruguay last month but has been unable to attend the subsequent matches against Austria, Portugal and Belgium due to his packed royal agenda, which will also block him from being present at Tuesday’s match. Shortly before the players take the field, the royal family is due to preside over the annual Princess of Girona Awards ceremony in Barcelona, during which they will recognize the achievements of young Spanish and Latin American artists, researchers and social workers.
The absences aren’t representative of the king’s commitment to Spanish football: The monarch is a keen supporter of the national team, and underscored his support in May, when he appeared in the video unveiling the players selected to represent the country in the World Cup. Following the match in Mexico last month, Felipe VI took the unusual step of joining the players in the locker room to personally congratulate them for their victory against Uruguay.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will also miss the match.
The head of Spain’s government has been invited to attend the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, which will also keep French President Emmanuel Macron away from the game. Sánchez is expected to return home afterward to focus on the response to the devastating wildfires in which dozens of people have died near Spain’s Mediterranean coast.
If Spain makes it to the final, the royal family is expected to be on hand to cheer the national team on, just as it did when its players won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
But it’s unclear if Sánchez intends to travel. Although the prime minister has repeatedly expressed his support for Spain’s players, he has not committed to attend the tournament. That stance isn’t unusual: Spain’s prime ministers traditionally celebrate the country’s victorious athletes once sporting events have concluded and they’re back in Madrid.
Politics
The first debate on Thursday in Maine’s flash Democratic primary may feature a crowded stage.
Eight candidates to replace Graham Platner on the ballot have been invited to the debate in Portland, the organizer said Tuesday.
News Center Maine, which is sponsoring the event, had initially invited three people who ran for governor — Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows and Nirav Shah — as well as Jordan Wood, who ran for an open House seat.
But the news organization later decided to invite everyone who has so far submitted the paperwork to run for the seat that opened when Platner was forced to withdraw.
The debate invitees now also include David Costello; Elizabeth Dickerson; Dan Kleban; and Paige Loud, said Mike Redding, news director for News Center Maine.
Jackson, Bellows, Shah, Wood and Kleban, the founder of the Maine Beer Company, confirmed their participation to POLITICO.
Platner’s decision to drop out of the race last week — following POLITICO’s report of a sexual assault allegation — set off a scramble among Maine Democrats to find a nominee to take on GOP Sen. Susan Collins.
Thursday marks the first public face-off for these candidates, who’ve been jockeying to win over Platner’s supporters ahead of the July 25 nominating convention, when more than 600 delegates will choose a replacement. The race is considered a must-win for Democrats in their effort to take control of the Senate.
The debate is scheduled to run for 90 minutes and be televised statewide on stations WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2.
Andrew Howard and Jessica Piper contributed to this report.
Politics
There may be no more durable experiment in Spanish-French teamwork than the existence of Andorra. Since the Middle Ages, the landlocked principality has two heads of state, one from each side of its border.
But even though both of the larger countries that engulf it are founding members of the Eurozone — providing the currency that powers the ski-tourism-heavy economy — Andorra is now struggling for acceptance into the European Union.
For a country with a population of less than 100,000 people, Andorra has a complicated political setup. It is ruled by the sitting President of France, and the Bishop of the Catalan city of La Seu d’Urgell, who hold responsibility for the territory as “co-princes.” (The state also has a Prime Minister, Xavier Espot Zamora, and a 28-member parliament.) It’s in the United Nations and the Council of Europe, but integration with Brussels remains a divisive issue.
The territory struck an “association agreement” with the European Commission in 2024. Once ratified, the deal would allow Andorra a similar level of participation in the EU’s single market to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and to benefit from free movement of people, goods, services and capital if they follow many of the bloc’s regulations. (In a snub for the country, Andorra won’t gain full access to the EU’s financial services market immediately, due to fears that it is too lax on policing its own powerful finance industry.)
The domestic politics mirror that in other European nations: with those in favor of closer links looking forward to the economic benefits of EU single market access, while those against are downbeat about immigration from the EU to the tiny principality. Polling late last year showed that 35 percent of Andorra residents polled see the deal positively, while 34 percent see it negatively.
But Andorra can not clear its own path to Brussels. Its association agreement was negotiated together with San Marino, and now Bulgaria’s objection to the San Marino deal, and both deals are part of the same microstate treaty. (The two countries are intertwined in sport, as well: Andorra’s best-ever performance in a World Cup qualifying match came over San Marino, a 3-0 victory in 2021. It was one of only 14 international victories for Andorra since being recognized by FIFA in 1996.)
Participation in international events has been lukewarm in Andorra, the only country to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest without reaching a final. It competed for five years starting in 2004, with its best result a 12th-place finish in a 2007 semi-final. The country’s national broadcaster cites financial difficulties as the reason for not taking part since 2009.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post inaccurately characterized when Spain joined the European Union.
Politics
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As concert ticket prices continue to climb across the live music industry, Garth Brooks promises to stand by his belief that every fan should have an equal shot at the best seat in the house.
Ahead of launching his Blame It All On My Roots Tour next month, the country icon explained why he’s once again choosing to sell every ticket at the same price, regardless of where fans are in the very front or the very back of the venue.
Brooks reveals that an artist’s decision to keep ticket prices fair begins long before the sales even begin. They first have to determine whether or not they’re willing to hand over pricing control to a promoter through a “guaranteed tour,” something that has become an “industry standard,” according to him.
A guaranteed tour means that promoters pay artists a predetermined fee and assume all the financial risk, allowing the artist to get paid no matter the outcome of the tour. While this seems like the best option for the artist, it does come with risks, like losing control of their own ticket prices. For Brooks, giving up that control isn’t an option.
The conversation comes as Brooks points out that the average country concert ticket now costs around $175, and that’s before fans factor in parking, merchandise, food and transportation.
“Let’s talk for a moment about the cost to go to a concert,” the Oklahoma native says. “There’s the ticket price. Currently, the average country concert ticket price is $175. That’s the average. Dang! You never go alone, so double it, at least. Parking? Want a T-shirt or two? Maybe dinner? You are looking at one expensive evening,” he explained.
By overseeing ticket prices himself, he says he’s able to ensure that the people who have supported his career from the very beginning, regardless of their financial situation, will have the option to come see his show at an affordable price.
“We have always chosen to do the one overall ticket price simply based on this thought: Where you sit in the arena shouldn’t depend on how much you can afford,” he says. “It should be all just luck of the draw.”
Fans have been assured that every seat on Garth Brooks’ Blame It All On My Roots Tour will be priced the same. The decision to stray away from the typical pricing model was personal, because he wants his concerts to feel welcoming for everyone in the building that night.
“It would break my heart if I was at a show and my kids said, ‘Hey, why aren’t we sitting down there?’ and my answer was, ‘We can’t afford to sit down there,’” he says. “My thing is, make every ticket the same price, and then it’s just a matter of luck where you’re sitting in the arena.”
Brooks continued, “When this is achieved, there is a family feel in the arena that everyone is equal, and everyone is there for the same reason … to have the experience of a lifetime … equally … together.”
There’s no denying that it has been a challenge in his career to keep his promise, especially in today’s age. But seeing the prices of concert tickets “skyrocketing out of control” has made him feel more driven than ever.
“Did I think in the ’90s that $20, $50 was a lot of money? You bet,” he admits. “Do I think $20 or $50 is still a lot of money? Yes, I do. With that said, touring costs are not the same as they were in the ’90s. Hell, on the Comeback Tour, I saw in some cities that parking cost more than tickets.”
Brooks knows there will always be fans who can’t easily make the numbers work. He believes it’s his responsibility as an artist to be mindful that paychecks only go so far.
While the “Friends In Low Places” singer acknowledges that there will always be people who can’t spend any extra money to attend one of his live shows regardless of the prices, he says making his shows as affordable as possible remains a priority, with the goal of giving more people the opportunity to experience the concert.
“There are always going to be people who tell you, ‘I’d love to come see you, I just can’t afford it,’” he stated. “Those people have all of my respect. I believe it is my job to try to make the number of people who say that as small as possible.”
Garth Brooks’ Blame It All On My Roots Tour will kick off Aug. 21-22 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tickets for these first two dates go on sale at 10 a.m. ET Friday, July 17, at Ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or through the Ticketmaster app.
The post Garth Brooks Shares Why He Continues To Prioritize Affordable Concert Tickets Ahead Of All On My Roots Tour appeared first on Country Now.
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While Trader Joe’s might be known for its wide variety of unique snacks and treats, some items on the shelves simply haven’t stood the test of time.
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