The Ultimate Football Fan Gig?
It's the ultimate fantasy for any football fanatic: getting paid to watch every single World Cup match. But for Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto, the reality of being FOX Sports's 'Chief World Cup Watchers' from a glass cube in Times Square is far more demanding than it appears, blurring the lines between dream job and relentless grind.
Key Points:
- Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto are tasked with watching all 104 World Cup matches over 39 days from a glass cube in Times Square, New York City.
- Their role extends beyond mere viewing; they are dynamic content creators and crowd hype-men for FOX Sports, making the experience immersive for thousands of fans.
- Despite the plush setup inside the cube, challenges like sleep deprivation, constant performance, and the absence of a bathroom are part of their daily reality.
- The duo embodies the unifying spirit of the World Cup, fostering a unique global fan community right in the heart of NYC.
Imagine a job where your primary responsibility is to immerse yourself in the biggest sporting spectacle on Earth. This is the incredible, yet intensely challenging, role that Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto have embraced. Positioned prominently within a custom-built glass enclosure in Times Square, these two superfans are living out a high-stakes football marathon.
Their mission from FOX Sports isn't just about passively observing. It’s about becoming the living embodiment of fan passion, igniting the energy of the diverse crowds that gather in New York City to celebrate the beautiful game. They are performers, analysts, and community builders, all wrapped into one non-stop World Cup experience.
From Social Stars to Soccer Ambassadors
Franklin, a Philadelphia-based content creator, boasts over 20,000 Instagram followers and more than 200,000 on TikTok. Akoto, hailing from Florida, also commands a significant online presence with nearly 168,000 TikTok followers. Their impressive digital footprints, coupled with an undeniable passion for football, made them ideal candidates for this demanding gig.
FOX Sports specifically selected them for their
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