“From the War Department, we salute Turning Point USA and everyone who believes freedom is still worth the fight,” Hegseth said in the video. “Thank you for your courage as an organization, your clarity and leadership, and for this halftime show the war department is proud to support.”
While Turning Point USA drew over 6 million concurrent views on YouTube, the television audience for the Bad Bunny halftime show was expected to be much larger. Last year, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime concert drew 133.5 million
Pete Fitzboydon, former CEO of Sussex County Cricket Club, reveals the stark financial realities facing non-Test hosting counties. With only 7 out of 50-60 annual playing days generating profit, counties survive primarily on ECB funding - approximately ÂŁ3m of a ÂŁ5-10m turnover. The conversation explores The Hundred's transformative impact, marketing challenges, and the future shape of English domestic cricket.
Hear the full conversation here:
Key Themes
Financial Reality: The 7-Day Problem
Non-Test hosting counties play 50-60 days of cricket annually
Only ~7 days make money (primarily T20 Blast fixtures)
As well as the One Point Slam, this year's Australian Open featured an opening ceremony that doubled as an evening with the ever-popular Federer, plus superstars such as Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka playing warm-up sets on Rod Laver Arena. All of which came, of course, with a money-spinning entrance fee. Around the grounds, superstar music acts, hip restaurant link-ups and family fun events have turned the Australian Open into the Glastonbury of tennis - a cultural jamboree blending sport, entertainment and food
