Open Letter To Utah Athletics: How Do We Get A Post Malone Halftime Show?
Nov 5, 2019, 4:05 PM | Updated: Nov 7, 2019, 12:47 pm
Post Malone backed by Sublime With Rome headlines Bud Light's Dive Bar Tour In New York City (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Bud Light)
(Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Bud Light)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Dear Mark Harlan and University of Utah Athletics,
Post Malone needs to have an annual half time concert at a Utah football game.
Before I get into why this needs to happen, let me explain to those who may not know a little more about who Malone is:
Malone is an artist who is acclaimed for blending hip-hop, pop, and rock together. He has become a music sensation that has a worldwide following.
Malone’s first hit came in 2015 when he wrote and recorded the song “White Iverson.” The song became certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America with five million digital copies sold.
He has worked with artists such as 50 Cent, Young Thug, Kanye West, and Justin Bieber, among others.
He is most active on Instagram where he currently has 18.6 million worldwide followers. He owns two pieces of real estate in Utah, one by the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon and another in Park City. If you follow him on Instagram you will often see him post about his outings in Utah.
His recent album titled “Hollywood’s Bleeding” is a subtle dig at Hollywood and a reason he left to come live in Utah.
“I finally made the move out of LA and I moved to Utah. I feel like in LA and Hollywood there’s such a strange vibe to where there’s a lot of vampires,” he said in an interview with Variety.
Later in the interview, he described Utah as an “oasis” away from Los Angeles and that he is “sick of” Hollywood and the vibe it brings him.
He also references Utah in a number of his songs, specifically in his recent hit song “Wow.” where he is quoted singing, “Everywhere I go (Hey). Catch me on the block like I’m Mutumbo (Wow). 750 Lambo in the Utah snow (Skrrt).”
Reasons For A Half Time Concert
1. Recruiting
Recruiting sets the foundation for any good football team. Take Alabama for example, a powerhouse in the college football world and to no one’s surprise, they also happen to have a top 3 recruiting class year in and year out.
If Post Malone was to do a half time concert that consisted of just three songs, recruits that are visiting Salt Lake City would be in awe. They would be shell shocked and amazed.
If Utah could get this done, I am adamant that their recruiting classes would climb the national rankings, as crazy as that may seem.
just seen this ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/a6UnjSa5i9
— Posty (@PostMalone) September 13, 2019
2. More Fans In More Seats
This season has been a little disappointing when you look at the numbers or lack thereof, in the stands at Rice Eccles Stadium.
Yes, I know, the Athletic Departement claims every game this year has been a sellout, and maybe it has been. But due to the weather and amount of blowout games this season, a lot of fans have been leaving early or not showing up at all.
That would change if fans knew that Post Malone was playing a half time gig. I promise.
.@postmalone performing “I Fall Apart” at @thegarden changed my life ✨ | 🎫: @livenation pic.twitter.com/l7K5YNsXcB
— MTV (@MTV) October 16, 2019
3. He Lives Here
He owns two houses in Utah.
“Being in Utah and being away from the grind and from everybody else and it’s just me and my video games and a cold one that feels good to me,” he told Variety.
He has even shot one of his music videos in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The video for the song titled “Saint-Tropez” has many sights Utahns will recognize.
He does tour a lot, but not as much as you may think. One of the reasons he decided to move to Utah, from LA, was so that he could be at home more often and relax.
View this post on Instagram
Saint-Tropez video out now directed by @chrisvilla produced by @rivetingentertainment link in bio
Why It Would Be Difficult
The NCAA recently changed the half time break from 20 minutes to 15. I am not asking for Post Malone to put on a Super Bowl like production. Let’s start with just two or three songs with a stage and some lights.
The struggle would be preparing the operations staff to timely execute the production. Fifteen minutes is not a long time and being able to bring everything out and then tear it all down whilst having Malone perform three songs would need to be rehearsed a lot.
come on pic.twitter.com/o9k1plqxiu
— Posty (@PostMalone) January 12, 2019
However, it is not impossible. It is far from it.
The benefits from having somebody of Post Malone’s stature perform at half time far outweighs the hassle of organizing the gig.
While it may seem like the NCAA would have a policy against this, in my research I couldn’t find any such rules. According to a conversation I had with a representative from Utah Athletics, they do not see any obstacle with the NCAA.
While it may be difficult, I have faith in you [Mark Harlan]. If you need any help or assistance, I would be more than happy to contribute. The majority of the Utah fanbase would also be willing to help out in any way, shape, or form – I’m sure.
Best,
Tom Hackett
