The FIFA World Cup Final wasn’t just about the game; it transformed into a commercial circus, and you have to wonder—was this a world championship or a corporate-sponsored music festival? While the mainstream media—particularly outlets like CBS and NBC—celebrate the halftime extravaganza featuring Madonna and Brazilian soccer legends, they gloss over the blatant spectacle. They push the narrative that it’s all about promoting culture and sports unity, rather than cashing in on the most-viewed event globally.

Let’s call a spade a spade: all those big names on stage, including the “Ted Lasso” crew, aren’t there to lift the beautiful game; they’re there to inflate brand value. While they parade on screen, traditional journalists are more interested in clickbait than the actual tournament outcomes. ABC and ESPN focus on the headliners, but when do they ever ask why we need a Super Bowl halftime show at a World Cup? The integrity of the sport is getting overshadowed by pop marketing ploys, and they don’t seem bothered.

Meanwhile, let’s talk about the manipulation behind the scenes. Major networks like CNN and Fox News dance to the advertisers’ tune, pushing a narrative that distracts from the game’s real stories—the grit, the heart, the skill. Instead, we get commercialized fluff. Good luck finding in-depth discussions about player stats or tactics amidst the glitter. As viewers, we need to wake up and demand more from these events than just another celebrity showcase.