Chief World Cup Watchers: Paid to Play the Game
Kevin Akoto and Austin Franklin, known as the “Chief World Cup Watchers” for U.S. broadcaster Fox One, have spent the entire tournament glued to the action, watching all 104 matches from start to finish.
The pair sit inside a glass‑walled viewing cube in New York’s Times Square on matchdays, a spot that has turned their fandom into a public spectacle and a social‑media feed that draws thousands of viewers.
A New Role in Sports Media
Franklin, an influencer based in Los Angeles, and Akoto, who quit his job as a line cook in Florida to take the role, each receive a $50,000 fee for their participation and have used the platform to engage fans directly.
Both have said they would return for future editions, even if the World Cup expands to include more teams, reflecting a belief that sports consumption is shifting increasingly toward digital audiences.
Their arrangement signals a broader trend where networks are hiring personalities to blend live observation with commentary, turning the act of watching into a marketable service.
While the model raises questions about the economics of sports broadcasting, it also underscores the growing influence of digital personalities in shaping how fans experience global events.