Influencers are infiltrating this year's US Open. It's not stopping tennis lovers.
The US Open tennis tournament is increasingly becoming a hub for social media influencers, leading to some friction with traditional fans and match play. Despite concerns over disruptions and commercialization, the event remains a major cultural and sporting draw in New York.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between traditional sporting events and the modern 'experience economy' driven by influencer culture and social media content creation.
Garrett Ellwood/USTA via Getty Images This post originally appeared in the BI Today newsletter. You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here . More than tennis 🎾 The US Open has long morphed from a simple tennis tournament into a two-week experience in one of the best boroughs in New York. With merch drops, celebrities in the stands , and viral food items on-site with eye-popping price tags, it's become the social event of September in New York. This year, which runs til September 13, is no exception, despite the drama at the suite level inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Influencers, some of whom are being paid six figures to recap the US Open, have turned the tournament into a high-stakes, high-payout event. On Monday, a few were spotted inside a suite, ring lights in hand, creating content.
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