Latest news with #MusicoftheSpheres'
San Francisco Chronicle
12-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Stanford, Cal eye ‘the end of amateurism' in new revenue-sharing era
Nearly three months before the start of college football season, on May 31 and June 1, two sellout crowds totaling about 90,000 people flooded into Stanford Stadium. They came to see Coldplay, the first live concert ever held at the on-campus facility. The timing was hardly coincidental. One week later, last Friday, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken formally approved the long-anticipated House settlement. That $2.8 billion agreement, to settle three antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA and Power Five conferences, officially ushered in a new era of major-college sports, with schools now permitted to directly share revenue with student-athletes. And sharing revenue for the first time means finding new revenue. That helps explain how Coldplay landed on stage at Stanford, bringing its 'Music of the Spheres' world tour to the same venue where John Elway, Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey once performed. 'It was an inspiring example of what our campus can pull off,' Stanford interim athletic director Alden Mitchell said in a Chronicle interview Wednesday. 'And it's a great positive from a financial perspective.' Cal and other Bay Area athletic programs no doubt will also try to tap fresh revenue streams, in one form or another. Donor fundraising, rising the past four years with the proliferation of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals for college athletes, can stretch only so far. The new expenses are significant: Friday's landmark approval allows schools to share up to an estimated $20.5 million in revenue in the 2025-26 fiscal year, starting July 1. That limit initially will rise by 4% annually, to $21.3 million the next year and $22.2 million the year after that. Cal and Stanford are not required to spend the maximum amount, essentially a salary cap. But they realistically must hit the cap to compete with their Atlantic Coast Conference opponents. This leaves athletic department leaders expanding already-strapped budgets, with a full menu of sports (36 for Stanford and 30 for Cal). Mitchell, who joined Stanford last year as chief operating officer, hopes to implement a new structure in ways 'that keep college sports special for student-athletes, and distinct from pro sports.' That's a challenging quest on a landscape now dominated by chatter about money, money and more money. 'It is fair to say we're living through the end of amateurism as we know it,' Mitchell said. The transformation creates more questions than answers on the Bay Area scene. Will revenue-sharing make it even more difficult for Cal and Stanford to keep pace with their ACC rivals in football and basketball? How much will San Jose State spend at a time when one CSU campus (Sacramento State) is ramping up and another (Sonoma State) is eliminating athletics entirely? And how will St. Mary's, USF and Santa Clara — schools without football programs but Division I in basketball and other sports — compete with deeper-pocketed foes from larger conferences? The Gaels offer an interesting case, given their perpetual and uncommon success in men's hoops. They made the NCAA Tournament again this past season, beating Vanderbilt in the first round before falling to Alabama, another SEC team, in the round of 32. Mike Matoso, vice president of intercollegiate athletics at St. Mary's, acknowledged his school is prepared to participate in the revenue-sharing era — but not with the resources of bigger schools, which figure to quickly reach $20.5 million. Matoso described St. Mary's as more of a 'Moneyball' operation, trying to find undervalued assets the way former Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane once did. 'I don't want to go into numbers, but we're not knocking on the door,' Matoso said of the $20.5 million ceiling. 'Nobody at our level (size) is coming close to numbers like that.' One question the Power Five commissioners addressed this week, in a video news conference with reporters, was the expected distribution of revenue sharing. They suggested each school will decide how to allocate revenue to its various sports programs. Most are expected to devote approximately 75% of their spending to football (pending any Title IX challenges), given the outsized money it generates in media contracts. About 20% would go to men's and women's basketball, and 5% to other sports. Neither Cal deputy athletic director Jay Larson nor Stanford's Mitchell specified how they plan to divide revenue-sharing among their various teams. Mitchell called the information 'proprietary' and Larson said Cal has a framework 'within the national norm.' Make no mistake: The norm revolves around football, the economic engine fueling this whole revolution. 'I think everyone realizes how critical it is for there to be investment in football and basketball programs,' Larson said. 'But many schools around the country have a proud tradition of Olympic sports programs, and Cal is one of them. We want and need those programs to succeed.' Stanford also boasts a long history of success in Olympic sports. That means school officials must balance the need to resuscitate their sagging football program — see Luck's appointment as general manager — with the desire to support swimming, water polo and other 'non-revenue' sports. As Mitchell put it, 'Ensuring we're not depriving those sports of oxygen is incredibly important.' Larson and other Cal athletic department leaders met with their head coaches several times over the past two months, in anticipation of Friday's news. They learned most coaches of Olympic sports desire new scholarships more than NIL funding or revenue to share. That's another notable element of the new world order: NCAA scholarship limits vanish July 1. Baseball, for example, could offer only 11.7 scholarships in the old system, divided among all players. Now the scholarship cap will increase to 34. This doesn't mean Cal, Stanford or St. Mary's — fresh off its first NCAA Tournament baseball victory in school history — will immediately offer 34 full scholarships in baseball. But they need to 'strategically' add scholarships in sports other than football and basketball, to borrow Mitchell's word, to stay competitive in recruiting. There are a lot of mouths to feed, so to speak, with more than 850 athletes at Stanford and an estimated 820 at Cal. Larson and Mitchell both welcomed the establishment of the new College Sports Commission, led by former MLB executive Bryan Seeley. That independent group will oversee enforcement of the reshaped rules governing college sports, to make sure schools aren't circumventing the salary cap by arranging outside deals for athletes. At least it's an effort to monitor the marketplace, after a chaotic stretch while those antitrust cases worked their way through the legal system. 'An unregulated market tends to favor those with the most resources, and I think we saw that play out the last couple of years,' Larson said. 'A regulated market allows for more competitive balance, and many people in our enterprise want to see it get there. … 'We'd like to see games decided on the field, by players and coaches, and not necessarily by who's writing the biggest checks. That's why the enforcement part of this is so critical.' Friday's approval of the House settlement not only marginalizes the NCAA on enforcement, it also shifts the NIL burden from 'collectives' to the schools themselves. Kevin Kennedy, president of the California Legends Collective — which raised money to benefit Cal athletes — announced his group will suspend operations at the end of June. So now it falls on Cal officials to find and spend more than $20 million to keep pace. That will include exploring new avenues to generate revenue, one source said, including potentially trying to better monetize Memorial Stadium. Worth noting: The school is still paying off its massive debt on the seismic retrofit and renovation of the stadium in 2010-12. That plunged the athletic department more than $440 million into debt, though the campus took over about $238 million in 2018. Cal's rival down the road monetized its stadium with Coldplay, and Mitchell said Stanford officials are working on booking more concerts. They're not alone: Last month, the University of Toledo's football stadium hosted its first major concert in 31 years. Clearly, the new reality in college sports is forcing campus leaders to think in a new way. 'Concerts are the most extreme example, but our competitive venues are often empty,' Mitchell said. 'That's something we're thinking about a lot.'
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Julión Álvarez fails to enter US, concert at AT&T Stadium postponed, Texas fans stunned
Julión Álvarez's sold-out concert at AT&T Stadium was postponed after the singer was unable to enter the United States in time. Nearly 50,000 fans are now awaiting news on the rescheduled date. The regional Mexican music star's return was highly anticipated following past issues with US authorities Julión Álvarez's sold-out AT&T Stadium concert in Texas has been postponed due to his delayed US entry, leaving nearly 50,000 fans awaiting a new date Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Julión Álvarez and his beloved Norteño band were set to perform on Saturday, May 24 at Arlington's AT&T Stadium. With nearly 50,000 tickets sold, the regional Mexican music icon was gearing up for what would have been one of the biggest live music events in Texas this a sudden and forced change in plans disrupted the show. According to a joint statement from promoters CMN and Copar Music , the decision to postpone was out of their read: Piano man pauses the music: Billy Joel cancels all upcoming concerts amid concerning brain disorder diagnosis 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, Julión was unable to enter the United States in time for the event,' the statement the disappointment, the promoters and Julión's team were quick to reassure fans that the concert would be rescheduled. 'All previously purchased tickets will be valid for the new date,' the announcement said. Customers can expect to receive updates by email and will also be given instructions on how to request a refund if they are unable to attend the new concert Álvarez extended heartfelt thanks to his loyal fanbase, expressing gratitude for their patience and continued support. He also confirmed he is eager to return to the stage in Texas as soon as Álvarez, known to fans as 'The King of the Box Office,' has faced challenges with US entry before. In 2017, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) blacklisted the singer amid allegations of money laundering, allegations that were never proven in read: Coldplay's 'Music of the Spheres' becomes most-attended tour ever, dethrones Taylor Swift's 'Eras' tour The case was resolved in Álvarez's favor in 2022, allowing him to resume touring in the United States without issue until now. While no new legal troubles have been reported, this unexpected travel setback has reignited public curiosity about the singer's relationship with US authorities.
India Today
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
How Ahmedabad's Coldplay tour bounty signals India's prospering concert economy
The Coldplay 'Music of the Spheres' concert, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on January 25-26, has delivered a staggering economic windfall for the city. According to a comprehensive report by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow, the event, which drew over 222,000 fans, generated an estimated Rs 641 crore bounty for the local event catalysed a multi-sector economic surge, with direct contributions of Rs 392 crore to Ahmedabad's economy and Rs 72 crore in Goods and Services Tax (GST). The report details a ripple effect across tourism, hospitality, transportation and retail, positioning the city for more such large-scale airport handled 138,000 travellers over three days, including 112 chartered flights. Hotels operated at full capacity, with rates soaring to historic highs, while restaurants and local transport services reported record revenues. The report notes that 86 per cent of attendees travelled from outside Ahmedabad, representing over 500 cities. Social media posts relating to the two concerts in Ahmedabad reached 350 million and the combined media coverage 1.2 billion.'The economic impact estimation is based on actual revenues from ticketing, in-concert food and beverage, merchandise and parking,' said Raghav Anand, partner and leader-digital, media and convergence, EY-Parthenon. 'Additionally, the broader economic contribution, including attendees spending on travel, accommodation, local transport, shopping related to the concert, etc., was estimated through a survey of 2,821 concert attendees conducted by BookMyShow,' he report claims the concert's economic impact extended beyond immediate financial metrics. It created an estimated 15,000 jobs, spanning event management, security, logistics and volunteer roles, demonstrating the labour-intensive nature of such events. Local businesses, from street vendors to high-end retailers, benefited from increased footfall, while the event's operational scale—featuring 130 food and beverage stalls, 54 hydration stations and 68 food trailers—underscored the logistical the event's success reflects broader trends in India's concert economy, which surpassed Rs 12,000 crore in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 19 per cent over the next three years. Rising disposable incomes, rapid digital adoption, and a young, experience-hungry audience are driving demand for world-class entertainment. The report cites the growing interest in international artistes/bands such as Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Green Day as evidence of India's ascent as a destination for live hard-rock band Guns N' Roses will return to India after a 13-year hiatus, for a performance at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai on May 17. Speculation abounds about artistes such as Eminem, Taylor Swift, BTS and Adele performing in India this year, but no confirmed dates or venues are available. A post on microblogging site X speculated about Adele performing at a major event in Mumbai (July 12-14), but this lacks corroboration from reliable the future looks promising, the EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow report highlights challenges that must be addressed to maintain this momentum. Complex regulatory frameworks and permission delays pose barriers for event organisers. The recommendation for a single-window-clearance portal and public-private partnerships to streamline approvals and finance infrastructure upgrades is investments in large-capacity venues and accessibility enhancements, such as improved transport and facilities for persons with disabilities, are equally vital. Ahmedabad's success, facilitated by collaboration with local authorities and infrastructure enhancements such as extended metro services, sets a precedent for other cities.'This was the first live music concert at the Narendra Modi Stadium—a landmark moment for live entertainment in India. Globally, stadia are commonly used as concert venues; yet in India, this practice has been limited. Despite the country boasting of numerous state-of-the-art cricket and football stadia, their potential beyond sporting events has remained underutilised,' says Anil Makhija, COO-live entertainment and venues, the Coldplay concert, the challenge of preserving cricket pitches was addressed by deploying specialised pitch and turf protectors, added breakthrough serves as a compelling case study, inviting other Indian cities to harness the economic potential of the live entertainment boom, the report to India Today Magazine
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Coldplay's Ahmedabad concerts generated Rs 641 crore economic impact: Report
NEW DELHI: British rock band 's two-night 'Music of the Spheres' concerts in Ahmedabad created an estimated overall economic impact of Rs 641 crore, with a direct boost of Rs 392 crore to the city's economy, a report by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow Live revealed on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The concerts, dubbed India's largest-ever live entertainment spectacle, significantly contributed to local infrastructure, hospitality and cultural tourism. As per news agency PTI, 86 per cent of the attendees had travelled from outside the host city, leading to sharp rises in spending on hotels, transport, dining and retail. The event also contributed Rs 72 crore in GST revenue to the Government of India, demonstrating the fiscal strength of the live entertainment sector. Raghav Anand, partner and leader - digital, media and convergence at EY-Parthenon, said, 'As we witness the dynamic growth of India's live entertainment sector, which has surpassed the Rs 12,000 crore mark in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 19 per cent over the next three years, the increasing consumer spends are fuelling this transformative journey.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also endorsed the concert economy in his address at the Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave 2025. Citing Coldplay's performances in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, he said, "In a country with such a rich heritage in music, dance and storytelling, with such a large pool of youth and a massive consumer base for concerts, there are vast opportunities for the concert economy. In the past decade, both the trend and demand for live events have grown. You must have seen the incredible images from the Coldplay concerts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad in recent days. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This is proof of how much scope live concerts have in India." The Ahmedabad shows also triggered a shift in city branding and created a new template for mega-event infrastructure. The concerts, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium on January 25 and 26, drew more than 2.5 lakh visitors, with over 1.7 lakh coming from outside Gujarat, according to ICC chair Jay Shah. Calling it a 'proud moment for India,' Shah said, 'Coldplay recorded their biggest concert with 1,34,000 in attendance,' and added that Ahmedabad has now become an epicentre for both sporting and entertainment events. Coldplay, too, acknowledged the scale, writing on X: 'Our biggest ever concert. Totally mind-blowing. Thank you Ahmedabad.' Fans and officials alike celebrated the event's seamless execution and massive turnout.
Independent Singapore
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
The combined performance by Coldplay and Jin of BTS ignites social media
KOREA: As reported by Allkpop, the partnership between BTS's Jin and Coldplay is igniting social media. Photo: Instagram/Coldplay Coldplay's been on this massive 'Music of the Spheres' tour since Apr 16. They kicked things off in Korea. Yesterday, they shared cool photos and videos from the tour on their Twitter and Instagram accounts. Coldplay shared two special photos, among the many photos of guest performers, of BTS's Jin, and two videos. One of them showed Chris Martin just vibing with the audience, getting everyone to sing along—you know how he does! The other video was sweet: It caught the moment when Chris and Jin were on stage, just jumping around and laughing together. You could see they were good friends, having a blast up there. It was a nice glimpse into their friendship. Special guest Jin popped up as a special guest with Coldplay on Apr 19, a nd then, he joined them again for their very last show in Korea on Apr 25. When Jin joined Coldplay on stage, he didn't just stand there! He performed 'My Universe,' which is a song BTS did together with Coldplay. He also sang 'The Astronaut,' which is his own solo song that he helped write, and he even created the music with Coldplay. Jin received a lot of accolades for captivating the public and fans with his strong vocals and breathtaking looks. Great collaboration Chris Martin was lovely about the whole collaboration with Jin. He kept mentioning that it was Jin's idea for them to work together! During the show, Chris was warm, thanking Jin for introducing Coldplay to BTS, for being such a kind person, and for singing with them that night. He added that he'll always love Jin. Both Jin and Coldplay share a close bond. Back in 2021, BTS was in New York for a trip. Jin complimented Chris Martin's guitar, and Chris then gifted Jin the guitar, which he had been using for more than 10 years. Prior to their Seoul concert, Coldplay hinted at Jin's upcoming arrival. After Coldplay wrapped up their last show in Hong Kong, they posted on Twitter on Apr 13, saying how amazing it was. Then, they hinted at their next stop, Seoul, and included a picture of Jin's character, Wootteo. It's sweet because, as a sign of their friendship, Coldplay has been bringing that Wootteo plushie along to every single concert they've done since Jin gave it to them back in 2022. Shout-out to Jin and Seoul After Jin showed up at that concert in Seoul on April 19, Coldplay was so touched that the very next day, they put up a post online. It was he and Chris Martin singing together. In their message, they were super appreciative, thanking Jin for joining them and even giving a shout-out to Seoul. They said they'd never forget those moments and added a purple heart at the end—so sweet! Then, Jin himself hopped on his Instagram a couple of days later, on Apr 26, and talked about how amazing Coldplay's friendship is and how incredible their performance together was. It went viral all over the world. It just goes to show how famous and influential both of them are.
