Meet the Fans Being Paid $50,000 to Watch 104 World Cup Games in Times Square

The Perfect Job Opportunity

Kevin Kotoko and Austin Franklin, two self-proclaimed football fans, have landed the ultimate job opportunity - being paid $50,000 each to watch all 104 games of the World Cup in a custom-built viewing cube in Times Square. The cube, designed to resemble a giant fishbowl, is located in the heart of one of New York City's busiest thoroughfares.

The Selection Process

The duo was selected from thousands of applicants who uploaded videos on social media pitching for the role. As part of their job, they are expected to "create social media content, record their reactions, and engage with fans" throughout the tournament. Kotoko, a Liverpool fan from Florida who used to work as a waiter, quit his job to take on this opportunity. "I quit my job," admits Kotoko. "I found out on Thursday that I had won the competition and so I told them on Friday that would be my last day!"

The Experience So Far

Franklin, an influencer from Philadelphia, describes the experience as surreal but enjoyable. "It has really felt a bit like being on the Truman Show," Franklin says. "I forget at times that we're here. I'm watching a game for minutes and then I look over at Kevin and I see people on top of me. It's like: 'Oh my God!' There's 30 people watching us, watching games, most of the time. It is a weird experience."

The Schedule and Challenges

With four games every day stretching across three time zones, the next three weeks will be a marathon for the duo. "I think it's just, like, trying to feed ourselves and making sure that we're trying to keep the energy up, making sure we're taking care of ourselves," says Kotoko. Despite the challenges, both fans are excited about the opportunity and are looking forward to the rest of the tournament.

The Impact on Fans

The presence of Kotoko and Franklin in Times Square has attracted plenty of interest, with fans stopping to watch them and engage with their content. The duo has also been interacting with fans, hearing their stories, and sharing their own experiences. "There was a woman who sat right behind me in one of those chairs for the entire 90 minutes, and I went up to her and said: 'Thank you so much for your time,'" says Franklin. "I gave her a big hug, and she told me about how she was born in Mexico, moved to New York, and used to watch all the Mexico games with her dad. Her dad passed away a few years ago, so I was like: 'You're going to make me cry'. So now I'm like that's a team that I want to do well. You feel this connection and that's what the World Cup is all about."