Editorial: Why Marc Sarnoff and the City of Miami couldn’t afford to topple Ultra
Ultra Music Festival usually takes places over a span of three days – six, as of 2013 – but remains relevant for 365 days a year. News surrounding the festival has dance music fans on their feet and excited for March — most of the time. The latest bit of controversy, however, was far less optimistic than the announcements of Swedish House Mafia’s finale or Deadmau5′ return. The two-weekend expansion that had been announced in October was found in jeopardy when the City of Miami’s commissioner, Marc Sarnoff, introduced a resolution that would’ve prevent Bayfront Park from hosting the festival’s second weekend. Despite arguing that “Ultra doesn’t bring a dollar to the city of Miami,” Sarnoff lost, and Ultra’s double-header survived the commissions vote.
But was Ultra really ever in danger? The statistics say no.
