MLS to replace the NHL as the nation's number four sport by 2010

AreliusIV · 05-30-2006, 08:00 AM

knowwonnose · 05-30-2006, 08:29 AM

That would be an awesome feat helped along by the overconfidence of the NHL players/owners. However, it is interesting that on poster on BS considered the fantastic showing in last weekend's NCAA lacrosse tourney to be a bad sign for MLS. In some ways, lacrosse combines elements of hockey and soccer (with a little basketball thrown in). Professionally, lacrosse isn't doing too much in the field, but indoor numbers in some arenas are beating MLS already. Compare http://www.kenn.com/sports/others/nll_attendance.html to http://www.kenn.com/soccer/mls/index.html. Moreover, youth lacrosse is the number one growing sport and beginning to challenge soccer leagues for field space.

What are your thoughts about that?

Old Ska · 05-30-2006, 09:21 AM

To me the argument that more youth are playing soccer therefore interest in pro soccer will increase is not a good one.

I never really played pointyball (besides some alley games with a nerf) and I still follow it. I played a ton of pool and ping-pong as a teenager, but I have no idea who the world leaders in those sports are.

I do think that if expansion is handled properly, and the US does fairly well in the World Cup, MLS does have an excellent chance of passing hockey in popularity. That little blog entry seemed to focus on attendance, and if that is the criteria Nascar and Indy have all other sports beat. The INdy 500 had around 250,000+ spectators this week-end...or the same as almost 16 "average" MLS matches. The Milwaukee Mile holds 75,000+ fans and regularly sells out for relatively unimportant races.

Aerick · 05-30-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Ska

To me the argument that more youth are playing soccer therefore interest in pro soccer will increase is not a good one.

I never really played pointyball (besides some alley games with a nerf) and I still follow it. I played a ton of pool and ping-pong as a teenager, but I have no idea who the world leaders in those sports are.

I do think that if expansion is handled properly, and the US does fairly well in the World Cup, MLS does have an excellent chance of passing hockey in popularity. That little blog entry seemed to focus on attendance, and if that is the criteria Nascar and Indy have all other sports beat. The INdy 500 had around 250,000+ spectators this week-end...or the same as almost 16 "average" MLS matches. The Milwaukee Mile holds 75,000+ fans and regularly sells out for relatively unimportant races.

Good points Ska. What defines popularity? Attendance? Revenue? TV Ratings ratio? Who determined the current popularity standings and what metrics did they use?

BroncsBomber · 05-30-2006, 05:16 PM

We'll know when soccer has arrived when the MLS is played on Networks other than ESPN2. Sure there are a couple of games played on ESPN and ABC i.e season opener and the All-star game but we need a much better TV package.

We need ABC Saturday soccer.

Hockey going on strike and then moving to the Outdoor Life Network is not helping it's popularity.

Personally, I want to see soccer be number 3 behind pointy ball and basketball. Baseball is an old man's game it's numbers are dwindling.

StarsOnSunday · 05-30-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

Good points Ska. What defines popularity? Attendance? Revenue? TV Ratings ratio? Who determined the current popularity standings and what metrics did they use?

I think fandom or popularity is where you put your expendable (or nonexpendable) money. Watching on tv, hoping they win, reading the scores the next day, etc. does not make a fan. I like the Dodgers, I will watch if they (ever) get into the playoffs, I wear an away jersey (although it was a gift), I openly call Bonds a cheater, but I have not spent more than $20 on my Dodger fandom in the last year (a Las Vegas 51s game). I think popularity can best be judged on the sacrifices one is willing to make in order to enjoy the sport. See: 05/27/06 in the rain.

dysko · 05-30-2006, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarsOnSunday

See: 05/27/06 in the rain.

Oh Man... it was raining...

I thought I was just sweating like crazy! 😲

prk166 · 05-30-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowwonnose

That would be an awesome feat helped along by the overconfidence of the NHL players/owners. However, it is interesting that on poster on BS considered the fantastic showing in last weekend's NCAA lacrosse tourney to be a bad sign for MLS. In some ways, lacrosse combines elements of hockey and soccer (with a little basketball thrown in). Professionally, lacrosse isn't doing too much in the field, but indoor numbers in some arenas are beating MLS already. Compare http://www.kenn.com/sports/others/nll_attendance.html to http://www.kenn.com/soccer/mls/index.html. Moreover, youth lacrosse is the number one growing sport and beginning to challenge soccer leagues for field space.

What are your thoughts about that?

Excellent point. The reason Lacrosse has such strong growth is that in many areas the amount of players and press it gets are nearly zero. So I wouldn't be too worried.