America is, supposedly, the land of opportunity. How much that idealistic notion rings true in the current climate is debatable, but the overarching theme holds true for the New Zealand and South African rugby unions this week as they bolster coffers by banking millions from their one-off Test in Baltimore.
While a long-term picture is at play, the question as to why the All Blacks and Springboks are jointly staging the fourth match of their greatest rivalry series - and in doing so undermining the essence of the first South African tour in three decades - comes with a simple explanation: money.
In the ever-challenging rugby economy, money helps at every level. It helps retain players, fund the women's game, keep the grassroots afloat and, if there's anything left, safeguard future pressure points by boosting cash reserves.
Operating at the bottom of the world with a small population base and, therefore, economy will forever leave the All Blacks at a major disadvantage.
Fewer people means smaller stadia and undersized gate revenue compared to their closest competitors.
Unlike England who can count on the heft of Twickenham bankrolling their national team, New Zealand Rugby does not own any stadiums.
New Zealand's size and scale was put into stark context by last year's British and Irish Lions tour that netted a $70.6 million operating surplus to instantly transform Australian rugby's finances.
NZ Rugby, meanwhile, pocketed a record $33.4m from its last Lions tour in 2017.
Home support for the All Blacks is as strong as ever but, increasingly, NZ Rugby is seeking to take Tests abroad to leverage its most influential asset.
The tension between ensuring New Zealanders see enough of, and feel genuinely connected to, the All Blacks and the need to maximise revenue heightens every year.
Staging All Blacks in foreign markets is nothing new. Sixteen years ago, baby-faced 20-year-old James O'Connor scored a try and held his nerve to slot the match winning conversion as the Wallabies stunned the All Blacks in Hong Kong.
These days, though, America is now NZ Rugby's destination of choice to maximise one-off sugar hits.
Packing 80 odd players and 40 management on the same charter flight to trek from Johannesburg to Washington in the early hours of last Sunday morning - immediately after the third Test in Soweto - seems absurd.
But amid suggestions NZ Rugby and SARU will each bank $9m more from their match at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, than they would in South Africa, the incentives become clear.
In recent years the All Blacks have sold out Tests - well ahead of time - in Chicago, Washington and San Diego. All against different opposition, too.
Ireland are a drawcard in Chicago. The Springboks played the US national team in Houston, and Wales in Washington.
The All Blacks, though, are the most recognisable brand in the rugby world. By some distance, too.
The Boks are the back-to-back world champions but from a brand perspective, they pale in comparison to the All Blacks.
Not so long ago there were grave fears for the 2031 World Cup in the U.S.. A lack of traction and cut through sparked suggestions the tournament could be moved.
After witnessing the success of this year's FIFA World Cup, World Rugby is committed to staging the global showpiece there to the point it will pay New Zealand and South Africa a fee for hosting their fourth match in Baltimore.
But in recent years, NZ Rugby has performed the heavy lifting to maintain a fleeting elite rugby presence in the US.
At a domestic level Major League Rugby is continually beset by financial issues as teams seemingly collapse every year.
Breaking into the established clique is not easy. Americans feast on their stable sporting diet of basketball, baseball, the NFL and ice hockey but are often insular with their viewing habits.
Persisting with attempting to join the cool kids is understandable, though.
Such are the broadcast riches on offer, gaining a 1% slice of the U.S. sporting market is enough to change the game for any sporting code.
Cricket and rugby league, the latter through the NRL's ventures to Vegas, are attempting similar quests.
Cracking the American code remains a long way off for rugby but there are clearly ample benefits for the All Blacks to commit to the greenback propping up their balance sheet.
After staging five tests in the States since 2014, New Zealand Rugby will continue to leverage the U.S. market - to the point the All Blacks could play once every year in America in the build up to the 2031 World Cup.
Aside from consistently engaging pockets of fans, largely on the west coast, that can be gradually monetised through merchandise and other avenues, games in the States allows the All Blacks to keep their U.S.-based investment partner Silver Lake onside while entertaining a suite of lucrative sponsors who savour a taste of elite corporate life, with a side of rugby.
While in the States, New Zealand Rugbys host wraparound events with former All Blacks coaches and players - the likes of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and others - attending as speakers. Some of the world's biggest business brands are on hand at these events to rub shoulders and glean morsels from the inner workings of the All Blacks - a team that is marketed on elite excellence.
The more familiar these markets are with the All Blacks, the more profitable they become.
From a rugby perspective, the fourth match in the Greatest Rivalry Series holds importance for the All Blacks.
While they failed in their mission to win a second series on South African soil, squaring the ledger with the Boks would signal the scale of progress in two-and-a-half-months under Dave Rennie.
Rugby, though, is vastly bigger than the on-field product alone.
This weekend offers a window into the workings of brand power, of using rugby as a vehicle to make bank and the ongoing quest to secure a small slice of the American pie.