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04-07-2011, 09:17 AM #25
Re: OT: DC United Moves to Baltimore?
I think there are a lot of people who care about it in the US, mostly because they played it at some point growing up, but I don't think there's a critical mass of support for any given soccer league/event. I know a fair number of people who get into the world cup when it rolls around, 1 or 2 people who follow the English Premier League, and a few people who follow the MLS. I know lots more who played soccer, and if they saw enough people around them supporting a particular team they would probably get sucked into it. We just haven't hit that critical mass.
I think it will take a while, and the MLS is the only way it will happen. I don't see too many Americans getting into teams from England, and the World Cup happens so infrequently, though I do think the excitement from the World Cup can help accelerate support for the MLS.
And the MLS is growing. There are 18 teams this season, up from 10 in 2004, and apparently they're adding a 19th next year.
From wikipedia...
Average fan attendance per game:
2004: 15,559 (10 teams, 30 games each)
2005: 15,108 (12 teams, 32 games each)
2006: 15,504 (12 teams, 32 games each)
2007: 16,770 (13 teams, 30 games each)
2008: 16,460 (14 teams, 30 games each)
2009: 16,037 (15 teams, 30 games each)
2010: 16,675 (16 teams, 30 games each)
Note that average attendance is increasing even though they're expanding rapidly.
Total Attendance:
2004: 2,333,797
2005: 2,900,716
2006: 2,976,787
2007: 3,270,210
2008: 3,456,641
2009: 3,608,325*
2010: 4,002,000*
*These #'s weren't on wikipedia so I calculated them from the numbers in the previous table.
As a point of comparison, the NHL's 2009/2010 season had average fan attendance of 17,460 per game, but that was with 30 teams playing 82 games so total attendance was at 21,475,224.
Attendance isn't the only important factor, but it's headed in the right direction. I'd like to see the MLS come to greater prominence, so hopefully that continues.Last edited by Kyle Cactus; 04-07-2011 at 09:22 AM.
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04-07-2011, 09:39 AM #26Pro Bowl Poster
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Re: OT: DC United Moves to Baltimore?
I played soccer growing up as well as most other sports, and while I still to this day like to play soccer it's tough to watch, at the pro level anyway.
High school games end 4-3, College 3-2. Pro's 0-0 (2-1, SO) that, IMO is just not exciting enough to spend 2 hours to watch, I mean after 2 hours and no one scored did you even play a game or just round around with some friends and kick a ball?
I got into the world cup back in '06 and that was relatively entertaining, but this last one was just not enough scoring, for me.
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04-07-2011, 09:53 AM #28
Re: OT: DC United Moves to Baltimore?
I'm a big football, er, soccer fan and I'd still probably not get season tickets for this team, mainly because MLS is about the equivalent standard as the English third division. Sure, I'd go to a few games but it's kind of like going to see the Mariners play instead of the Ravens. Or maybe the Browns instead of the Ravens.
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04-07-2011, 07:46 PM #29Legendary RSR Poster
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Re: OT: DC United Moves to Baltimore?
Merchandise sales is mere splash in the water, when compared to profits generated from ticket sales and concessions.
BTW, Ray didn't even crack the top 25 last year. Another Ray did however ....
http://www.jockjerseys.com/flash/nfl...for-2010/2548/
No Ray in 2009, but acertain QB made the top 25 ....
http://www.jockjerseys.com/flash/nfl...for-2009/2022/
And no Ray, or any Raven for that matter in 2008 ....
http://www.jockjerseys.com/flash/nfl...y-31-2008/192/
The big dollars for the teams come from butts in the (club) seats and buying their high price food and drink items.
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04-07-2011, 09:54 PM #30
Re: OT: DC United Moves to Baltimore?
The numbers aren't on the same par as the worst teams in the NFL/MLB so it's a moot point.
“Ed Reed for President! I figure if Ed Reed can get eight interceptions in 10 games, he can fix world peace." - Jameel McClain
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04-08-2011, 07:53 AM #31
Re: OT: DC United Moves to Baltimore?
Yea but if the league became popular in America, it would get eunough $$$ to upgrade the talent. That Forbes list was almost all American teams. We put a lot of money into our sports here. I don't know if it will get there, but I think it's a possibility.
That's why I compared them with the NHL. I don't think the NFL's level of success is a realistic target for the MLS. But they don't have to reach that level to be a popular and successful league.
Plust I'm not trying to say they are currently a top American sports league. I'm hoping they can become one.
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