BOSTON — Country music star Zac Brown surprised more than 35,000 fans at Fenway Park on Sunday by announcing that every attendee would receive a free cruise for two, a giveaway the singer described as the biggest live gift in history and valued at more than $40 million in total.

The announcement came during the Zac Brown Band’s “Love & Fear” concert, the group’s record-breaking 15th consecutive sold-out performance at the iconic ballpark. Brown made the declaration just before launching into the song “Same Boat,” framing the gesture as a personal thank-you to supporters and a celebration of the milestone.

“Tonight we’re going to do something even Jimmy would say is crazy,” Brown told the crowd, referring to his late friend Jimmy Buffett. “I’m buying every single person here a cruise for two people on the boat. Every single person here gets a cruise for themselves and a loved one.”

A message then appeared on the large screens flanking the stage with instructions on how to claim the trips. Brown urged fans to help one another, including those who might have been celebrating, and stressed the authenticity of the offer.

“This is for real now,” he said. “I’m not kidding around.”

The cruises, provided through Margaritaville at Sea, must be claimed by midnight Sunday and can be redeemed on select sailings over the next year. The partnership centers on the brand-new Beachcomber ship, set to debut in January 2027. That vessel will feature “Same Boat,” a first-of-its-kind artist-curated live music venue at sea co-designed by Brown and named after his 2021 collaboration with Buffett. The venue is intended to serve as the ship’s central live entertainment hub.

Margaritaville at Sea CEO Christopher Ivy welcomed the collaboration. “We were honored to work alongside Zac to help bring this incredible surprise to life for his fans,” Ivy said. “This was an extraordinary way to thank the fans who have supported him throughout his career, and we’re proud to have helped make that incredible vision a once-in-a-lifetime reality.”

The scale of the gift set it apart from previous efforts on the Love & Fear Tour, where Brown had limited cruise giveaways to four per show. Boston received the full-audience treatment as recognition of the band’s long-standing connection to Fenway Park. Brown has repeatedly expressed affection for performing at the venue, referencing it multiple times during the evening.

Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912, has become a frequent stop for major concert acts in recent years. The ballpark’s intimate scale and historic atmosphere have drawn artists seeking a distinctive outdoor stage. For the Zac Brown Band, the string of 15 consecutive sellouts underscores sustained popularity in the Northeast and the strength of the group’s live draw more than a decade and a half after its commercial breakthrough.

Brown’s career has been defined by a blend of country, Southern rock and jam-band influences, along with entrepreneurial ventures that extend beyond music. His restaurants, outdoor lifestyle brand and previous collaborations with Buffett have positioned him as both a performer and a lifestyle figure. The cruise giveaway continues that pattern of blending entertainment with experiential rewards for fans.

Audience reaction mixed immediate excitement with some disbelief. One concertgoer turned to a companion and expressed astonishment at the announcement. Others celebrated more quietly while focusing on the music that followed. Fans who had attended previous Zac Brown Band shows at the park noted that the gift marked a significant departure from the usual concert experience of leaving with only a ticket stub or merchandise.

The logistics of distributing tens of thousands of cruise credits required coordination between the band’s team and Margaritaville at Sea. Fans were directed to a digital signup process accessible via QR code displayed during the show. The one-day window for registration added urgency to the moment and helped ensure the offer remained limited to those present.

Industry observers noted that large-scale giveaways at major venues remain rare because of cost and complexity. Most concert promotions involve limited tickets, merchandise or experiences for a small number of winners. Providing a multi-day vacation to every ticket holder represents a different order of magnitude and reflects both the artist’s resources and the commercial value of a deep partnership with a cruise operator launching a new ship.

The Beachcomber’s “Same Boat” venue is expected to host live performances that align with Brown’s musical style and the relaxed, tropical aesthetic associated with the Margaritaville brand. By co-designing the space, Brown extends his creative involvement beyond a one-time sponsorship into the ongoing operation of the ship’s entertainment program.

Sunday’s show continued a busy period for the Zac Brown Band on the road. The Love & Fear Tour has mixed large amphitheaters and stadiums with more intimate dates, allowing the group to maintain the extended jams and collaborative spirit that distinguish its live performances. Fenway has repeatedly proven a reliable and high-energy stop on that circuit.

For Boston-area fans, the combination of a sold-out night at a beloved venue and an unexpected high-value gift created a memorable evening. Many left discussing not only the setlist but the practical details of claiming and planning the free trips. Some first-time cruise-goers said they would explore the option, while others with family obligations noted the need for childcare before committing.

The announcement also highlighted the enduring commercial power of live music. Even as streaming dominates recorded music consumption, major artists continue to generate significant revenue and goodwill through concerts and direct fan engagement. High-profile gestures such as this one can reinforce loyalty and generate widespread media attention that extends the reach of a single performance far beyond the stadium walls.

Brown’s reference to Buffett carried particular resonance. The late singer’s Margaritaville empire helped popularize a lifestyle brand built around music, relaxation and island imagery. By partnering with the cruise line that carries the Margaritaville name and by naming a venue after a shared song, Brown linked his current project to that legacy while creating a new platform for live music at sea.

As the Love & Fear Tour continues, the Fenway giveaway is likely to stand as one of its defining moments. For the more than 35,000 people who attended, the evening offered both a full concert experience and a tangible, high-value souvenir that most will be able to redeem in the coming year. The combination of musical performance, historic venue and unprecedented generosity produced a night that fans are expected to discuss for years.

In an era when concert ticket prices and additional fees have drawn scrutiny, artists who find creative ways to give value back to their audiences can strengthen the connection that sustains long careers. Brown’s decision to treat an entire stadium audience as winners rather than selecting a handful of lucky fans represented a clear statement of appreciation for the people who have filled Fenway seats 15 times in succession.

The practical details of redemption, the debut of the Beachcomber, and the opening of the “Same Boat” venue will unfold over the next 18 months. For now, the immediate story remains the scale of the gesture itself: one of the largest single-concert giveaways on record, delivered with little advance fanfare and aimed squarely at the people who showed up.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team is giving thought to tinting the large glass windows at AT&T Stadium, a potential change aimed at reducing the afternoon sun glare that has long affected players and drawn complaints during home games.

Jones discussed the issue during training camp in Oxnard, California, in an interview with Fox 4 reporters Mike Doocy and Sam Gannon. When asked about using curtains similar to those deployed for some 2026 World Cup matches at the stadium, Jones distinguished between consideration and action.

“Well, you know something. Thinking about it and doing something about it are two different things,” Jones said. “But, no, I’ll think about it.”

He was more open to the idea of permanent tinting, which FIFA organizers used for certain World Cup games at the venue this summer to soften the intense sunlight streaming through the west-facing glass.

“As we look at it, I liked some of the effects of the tinting,” Jones said. “So we’re giving that a thought.”

The comments mark a shift in tone for Jones, who has previously resisted calls to alter the stadium’s signature glass features for NFL games. AT&T Stadium, which opened in 2009 at a cost of more than $1 billion, was designed with massive end-zone windows to create an open, outdoor feel inside a covered venue. The east-west orientation of the building allows low-angle afternoon sunlight to pour onto the field during fall games, creating significant glare in one end zone.

Players on both the Cowboys and visiting teams have described the conditions as challenging. Wide receivers tracking passes and defensive backs covering deep routes have reported difficulty seeing the ball when looking into the sun. The issue has surfaced in regular-season contests and high-stakes playoff games over the years.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stadium temporarily known as Dallas Stadium underwent several modifications, including the installation of natural grass and measures to control sunlight. Organizers used tinting on the large doors and windows for some matches and deployed curtains for others, such as the Japan-Sweden game, to eliminate glare on the pitch. Those temporary solutions demonstrated that the sunlight could be managed without fully eliminating the architectural views Jones has long prized.

Jones noted that the sun’s angle differs between the summer World Cup schedule and the NFL’s fall calendar, making direct comparisons imperfect. The late-afternoon light in September through December creates different shadows and intensity than the conditions seen during June and July matches. Still, the positive visual and practical effects of the World Cup tinting left an impression.

The glare problem is not new. It has been a recurring topic of discussion among fans, media and players since the stadium opened. Critics have pointed out that the issue is predictable and preventable, yet Jones has historically preferred to leave the windows unaltered for Cowboys games. Curtains have been used for concerts and other non-football events, but Jones has drawn a firm line against employing them for NFL contests, arguing that the team knows the sun’s position and can adjust accordingly.

Tinting offers a middle path. Unlike heavy blackout curtains, which can dramatically alter the stadium’s atmosphere and block exterior views, window tinting can reduce glare while preserving much of the natural light and the distinctive look of the glass walls. Jones’s recent comments suggest he found the World Cup version aesthetically acceptable.

Any decision would carry implications beyond player comfort. AT&T Stadium is one of the NFL’s most recognizable venues, and its open design has been central to the Cowboys’ branding. Changes to the glass could affect television broadcasts, the fan experience in certain seating areas, and the overall visual identity of the building. Engineering and cost considerations would also factor into any permanent installation.

The timing of Jones’s remarks coincides with the start of the 2026 training camp and the approach of another NFL season. The Cowboys, like every team, will face a mix of early-afternoon, late-afternoon and prime-time home games. Glare is most acute during the late-afternoon windows common in the early and middle portions of the schedule.

Players have been candid about the challenge in the past. The sunlight has been linked to dropped passes and disrupted routes in multiple games. While some athletes adapt by adjusting their positioning or relying more heavily on peripheral vision, others have said the conditions can be disorienting when the ball is in the air against a bright backdrop.

Jones has long defended the stadium’s design as intentional. The glass walls were meant to connect the interior experience with the Texas sky and surrounding landscape. He has repeatedly expressed pride in the building’s unique character and has resisted suggestions that the glare represents a flaw rather than a feature of the original vision.

The World Cup experience appears to have introduced new data. Temporary tinting allowed organizers to control light levels without permanently altering the structure. Jones’s acknowledgment that he liked “some of the effects” opens the door to further evaluation, even if he stopped short of committing to a change.

For now, the discussion remains at the stage of consideration. Jones’s distinction between thinking about a solution and implementing one reflects his longstanding caution on modifications that would change the stadium’s fundamental appearance. Fans and players who have advocated for years for a fix will likely watch closely to see whether the current openness translates into concrete plans before the regular season begins.

The broader context includes the Cowboys’ ongoing efforts to maximize home-field advantage in a highly competitive NFC East and a league that places increasing emphasis on player safety and performance consistency. Reducing environmental variables such as extreme glare aligns with those priorities, even if it requires compromising slightly on the original architectural concept.

AT&T Stadium has hosted Super Bowls, college football championships, major concerts and now a slate of World Cup matches. Each event has tested different aspects of the facility. The temporary solutions used this summer provided a real-world test of light management techniques that Jones and his staff can now evaluate with fresh perspective.

Whether tinting ultimately moves from discussion to installation remains uncertain. Jones has made clear that contemplation does not equal commitment. Yet by publicly stating that the team is giving the idea thought and that he appreciated the visual results of the World Cup approach, the owner has shifted the conversation from outright rejection to active consideration for the first time in years.

As the Cowboys prepare for the 2026 season, the sunlight that has long poured through the west-facing glass continues to shape both the aesthetic and the competitive realities of playing in Arlington. Jones’s latest comments suggest that after more than 15 years, the organization is at least willing to examine whether a measured adjustment could improve conditions without sacrificing the distinctive character of one of the NFL’s most striking venues.

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India’s valuations today are lower compared to what they were two years ago, but earnings have disappointed, limiting the scope for a re-rating, said Paul Wilson, chief investment officer at South Africa’s Sanlam Multi Manager International, which manages a total AUM of around $33 billion. In an interview, Wilson shares his outlook for the rupee, foreign flows and investment opportunities, among others. Edited excerpts:

Do you see the foreign investor purchases of Indian stocks in July after a gap as the beginning of a more durable return of global capital to India?

I would be cautious to say that’s the start of a major turn. Everything is a comparison. India trades at 19-20 times forward earnings versus 12-13 for emerging markets, implying a 50-60% premium. From a 10-year story, India is a very strong place. But tactically, pricing is easier elsewhere.

So, at what valuations would India start looking good?
Since India is still trading at a premium to the rest of emerging markets, the question investors must ask is, is that a fair premium? Indian stocks should trade at a premium because the fundamentals are much better and there is more visibility than in China. The PE (price-to-earnings) of the market has come down, so it’s better than it was two years ago. But earnings have disappointed, coming in 9% lower than expected, and over the last 12 months have been between 6-8%. Expectations are 12-16%, but if earnings don’t come through, markets are going to struggle. I think India is fairly valued, but I wouldn’t expect a re-rating.

Read more: New closing auction triggers confusion, sparks late Nifty swings

How will the rise in long-term US Treasury yields above the 5% mark alter the global investment landscape, particularly for emerging markets like India?
The US Treasury note is generally considered the risk-free asset globally, and when markets crash, money flows towards the US. If the risk-free rate gets higher, you have to generate more returns from other assets to justify it. At some point, getting 5.5- 6% on a US Treasury becomes too attractive, especially with geopolitical uncertainty.That makes policymaking difficult and impacts economies like India. Despite that, we are optimistic on India long term, but short term is more opaque.
Within EMs, which are your most preferred markets?
Over the past 12 to 18 months, South Korea and Taiwan have been the place to be. We think that’s changing because AI manufacturers will face challenges like access to raw materials and energy. AI requires a lot of energy, so energy and resource sectors will do quite well over the next decade. Countries with resources like rare earths and energy will benefit, many in emerging markets. We like emerging markets over developed markets. We wouldn’t underweight AI, but valuations are high. We prefer lesser-loved sectors like resources and financials, where earnings remain strong and valuations are much lower.Within India, which sectors or investment themes appear best positioned over the next 12-18 month?
Overall, India is priced quite highly, with pockets of extreme valuations, but there are areas with very good fundamentals. Financials is one of the areas more favourable, given how well the economy is performing and credit growth.On the IT side, it’s about being very specific. Some companies will benefit well from AI, others might lose out, but not the whole sector. Some companies have been hit hard despite strong fundamentals.

What is your outlook on the Indian rupee over the next year?
A lot of emerging market currencies depend more on what the dollar does than what they do themselves. Through 2025, you saw dollar weakness versus emerging markets.The dollar is expensive relative to its history, and with a huge fiscal deficit and inflation above expectations, it should weaken, which is good for emerging market currencies such as the Indian rupee. If the US increases interest rates to curb inflation, the dollar will strengthen. So a large part is dependent on US policy.India has good GDP growth, but inflation is still expected to be higher than in the US, so you would expect the rupee to depreciate over time.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

The article is for informational purposes only (not a solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell stocks). David is not a registered investment adviser. Investors should do their own research or consult a financial adviser to determine what investments are appropriate for their individual situation. This article expresses my opinions, and I cannot guarantee that the information/results will be accurate. Investing in stocks involves risk and could result in losses.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

President Donald Trump’s media company has launched a paid subscription service on Truth Social that offers users access to posts from the website’s most prominent accounts milliseconds before they appear to the general public. While the company’s announcement does not specifically mention the US president’s account, his is the most popular on the site, with more than 13 million followers.

The service reportedly costs up to $100,000 (£74,170) per month, with a lower-priced $60,000 (£44,679) option also available.

The BBC’s Samira Hussain explains what it is and whether it’s legal.