Professional Sports on the Rise and Fall

[Grouse89]

blah, blah, blah. The field fairies have been saying this for 30+ years. If it was gaining so much popularity, football, baseball, and all other sports would have been out of business long ago. Soccer is just a brutal sport to sit and watch either on tv or even live. Sure it's great for your saturday morning kid thing to help your child stay in shape, but please, the pro and even higher level amateur levels are just boring.

lots of people disagree with you

[VABills]

lots of people disagree with you

And they're wrong. But hey that's okay. If people really think an influx of 10 million illegal hispanics is going to make the soccer game grow nationally good for them. It's not like they can play on county run teams, since they won't have legal status. It's also not like they'll have lots of money to spend 50 per ticket watching in a stadium week in and week out.

[Hardy Pyle]

I am SO tired of reading "Americans don't like to watch soccer because they don't understand it." Bullschitt. There's really not a whole lot to understand. I also don't enjoy watching a televised chess match -- and it ain't because I don't understand chess or don't like to play. I played soccer from the time I was six until I went to college. I know the sport. It doesn't matter. It's just not an interesting game on TV when there are so many other options. Listen -- I LIKE the sport and it's still about the last thing I'd tune to unless it's the World Cup (and nothing else is on).

 

When will the kickball faithful just suck it up and realize soccer is "the world's most popular sport" for one reason and one reason only -- anyone (and particularly, the impoverished) can play because all you need is a ball and a field. It's that simple. It's not the greatest game ever invented -- it's the most accessible game to most of the world.

 

Are people really suggesting that a rise in the US Latino population will drive soccer popularity in this country? To the contrary, I believe those Latinos will be converted to our more popular sports as they see how much more entertaining they are to watch.

 

Soccer already IS popular in the US -- just not on TV, and it never will be. Fun to play, boring to watch (for most). Period.

 

 

I disagree...I never watched golf because I thought it was silly, until I started playing. Then I realized how difficult it was and now can enjoy watching golf. Prior to this, I thought it was the most boring TV sport around. Same with Soccer, you think passing the ball around and controlling the ball is easy, but if you don't play, you don't have an understanding of how difficult it is. Just like how I thought that 20 yard chip shot was easy prior to playing golf!

[WellDressed]

Golf is definitely on the rise.

[Arkady Renko]

The vast majority of the world would stongly disagree. Soccer is the world's game- and it is a beautiful game at that. The ADD, hot pocket, instant gratification segment of America will never get the game. Those that have ever played it will respect and admire the nuances of the game and the skill level required. Soccer players are some of the best athletes in the world. Don 't believe me? Try playing midfield- then get back to me. Soccer will never catch on to the closed minded and there will always be haters. But there is over 300 million Americans, and our hispanic population is on the rise- there is a large segment of America that really loves soccer and the numbers are only gonna increase

 

I agree with a lot of what you say, but I think it's unfair to say that Americans do not like soccer because they are close-minded. Cultures just grow up with different spectator sports and they naturally prefer the ones that they like. While I think soccer can increase in popularity here, youth soccer has long been popular and it has not translated into large number of fans when they are adults. As the Hispanic population grows and as there as professional soccer becomes more established, then yes soccer popularity will grow, but playing a sport does not clearly translate into wanting to watch the sport.

 

We cannot say that Americans do not like soccer because they are close-minded and then complain when other countries do not like our sports like football. Do you want people to say that Europeans do not like American football b/c it is too complicated for them?

[PromoTheRobot]

Heard this on the Dan Patrick show the other day, and it got me thinking. What sports do you think are in a slow decline in terms of popularity and interest? Which are becoming more popular?

 

Here's my own preliminary list of each (with some help from Dan Patrick).

 

On the Decline:

Hockey (though not in Buffalo!)

Boxing

Indy Car Racing

Horse Racing

Bike Racing (after the Tour de France debacles)

 

On the Rise:

Nascar

Soccer

Football (can it get more popular in the USA? But it seems to be expanding internationally)

You forgot Mixed Martial Arts/UFC on your "rise" list. Hockey is pretty much were it's always been.

 

PTR

[eball]

I disagree...I never watched golf because I thought it was silly, until I started playing. Then I realized how difficult it was and now can enjoy watching golf. Prior to this, I thought it was the most boring TV sport around. Same with Soccer, you think passing the ball around and controlling the ball is easy, but if you don't play, you don't have an understanding of how difficult it is. Just like how I thought that 20 yard chip shot was easy prior to playing golf!

You completely missed my point. I'm glad you now enjoy watching golf after learning to play, but my point was that even those who understand and "get" soccer (like myself) would still rather watch something else on TV.

 

The myth that soccer is the "most popular" sport in the world because of its "beauty," strategy, or entertainment value needs to be exposed. It's popular worldwide because it's accessible. That point can not be overstated.

 

I'm watching Game 5 of Pens/Rangers right now (2-2 in OT) and can't imagine preferring to watch ANY soccer game.

[Grouse89]

And they're wrong. But hey that's okay. If people really think an influx of 10 million illegal hispanics is going to make the soccer game grow nationally good for them. It's not like they can play on county run teams, since they won't have legal status. It's also not like they'll have lots of money to spend 50 per ticket watching in a stadium week in and week out.

pretty arrogant to say they are wrong for having an opinion. you have an opinion don't say they are wrong. you are wrong my friend this thread is going nowhere i'm out.

[Hardy Pyle]

You completely missed my point. I'm glad you now enjoy watching golf after learning to play, but my point was that even those who understand and "get" soccer (like myself) would still rather watch something else on TV.

 

The myth that soccer is the "most popular" sport in the world because of its "beauty," strategy, or entertainment value needs to be exposed. It's popular worldwide because it's accessible. That point can not be overstated.

 

I'm watching Game 5 of Pens/Rangers right now (2-2 in OT) and can't imagine preferring to watch ANY soccer game.

 

 

Have you ever played soccer? At what level? You are very very wrong about it being popular because it accessible. It is very difficult to watch soccer in North America. It is not accessible. I watch it for exactly the reason's you mentioned....beauty, strategy and entertainment.

 

I grew up playing Hockey, still play. Can't sit through 10 minutes of hockey.

[BADOLBILZ]

It is a different world now. I agree soccer will most likely never surpass football in my lifetime. But I feel soccer will grow in popularity from here on out most every year.

 

Soccer may continue to grow in popularity in the US, but I think worldwide it will decline. Soccer is to the world what baseball was to the US fifty years ago. As the standard of living rises for much of the rest of the planet, a good deal of those people will become bored with soccer and more interested in sports with more action, violence and variety of skill(like using hands, for instance).

[ajzepp]

You completely missed my point. I'm glad you now enjoy watching golf after learning to play, but my point was that even those who understand and "get" soccer (like myself) would still rather watch something else on TV.

 

The myth that soccer is the "most popular" sport in the world because of its "beauty," strategy, or entertainment value needs to be exposed. It's popular worldwide because it's accessible. That point can not be overstated.

 

I'm watching Game 5 of Pens/Rangers right now (2-2 in OT) and can't imagine preferring to watch ANY soccer game.

 

I think the REAL issue is that hockey fans have an inferiority complex, cause every time a soccer discussion starts up, the hockey fans feel the need to start peeing on fire hydrants.

 

I actually think you missed Hardy's point....you may understand and "get" soccer, but that's a whole lot different than appreciating it. I had the same experience as he did with golf...once I started playing it I began watching it more on television and enjoying it more.

 

As for the "myth" thing, the fact that soccer is the most accessible sport on earth is a GREAT thing! You know what's even more accessible than soccer? Hop scotch. By your theory, something like hop scotch should be the most popular sport in the world simply because it's more accessible. Soccer is a great game because it's a great game. The fact that anyone can do it, and from a very young age, is awesome for the health of the sport. But the accessibility thing alone is not why it's so huge.

[the_franchise]

Soccer takes a lot of talent to actually be somewhat good at. I would love for the US to win a World Cup but its a long shot. The best players in America would struggle to play Premiership soccer. Once the NHL gets of VS and back onto networks that people actually watch, it should start to pick up some more in terms of popularity. If Indy Car was during Nascar season, I'm sure the Nascar fans would watch it.

 

Hockey, Football, and Soccer are probably the 3 sports that take the most talent and best athletes IMO.

[ax4782]

Any sport which bans the use of hands is by definition stupid.

 

Is hockey stupid?

[eball]

Have you ever played soccer? At what level? You are very very wrong about it being popular because it accessible. It is very difficult to watch soccer in North America. It is not accessible. I watch it for exactly the reason's you mentioned....beauty, strategy and entertainment.

 

I grew up playing Hockey, still play. Can't sit through 10 minutes of hockey.

Come on, man...if you're going to debate me, at least have the courtesy to read my posts.

[obie_wan]

1. the part Americans don;t understand about the game is the futility caused by lack of scoring and scoring chances. What mis-understood rules do you think would change someone's outlook on the game?

 

2 & 3 pretty tough to argue that soccer will become common place in America when the only "good" soccer is played by a few selective teams 2000 miles away. If good soccer and good soccer plays can only be made by the superstar elite, soccer does not have much chance of overtaking the NFL and NCAA football in the US.

 

so what are these misunderstood rules ruining my appreciation of the game?

 

other than the ones that limit goal scoring to less than 2 and scoring chances to a handful - for 90 minutes of play.

[ajzepp]

so what are these misunderstood rules ruining my appreciation of the game?

 

other than the ones that limit goal scoring to less than 2 and scoring chances to a handful - for 90 minutes of play.

 

Are you talking to yourself?

[eball]

I think the REAL issue is that hockey fans have an inferiority complex, cause every time a soccer discussion starts up, the hockey fans feel the need to start peeing on fire hydrants.

Nah...I was just in the middle of watching an exciting game and used it to help clarify my point. I watch what I like, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

 

I actually think you missed Hardy's point....you may understand and "get" soccer, but that's a whole lot different than appreciating it. I had the same experience as he did with golf...once I started playing it I began watching it more on television and enjoying it more.

Hardy's point was personal to Hardy, and I took it as just that. Every time someone criticizes soccer on TV, though, you guys crawl out of the woodwork to tell us we don't appreciate the "beauty" of the sport, which is really all a bunch of hogwash.

 

As for the "myth" thing, the fact that soccer is the most accessible sport on earth is a GREAT thing! You know what's even more accessible than soccer? Hop scotch. By your theory, something like hop scotch should be the most popular sport in the world simply because it's more accessible. Soccer is a great game because it's a great game. The fact that anyone can do it, and from a very young age, is awesome for the health of the sport. But the accessibility thing alone is not why it's so huge.

In the realm of team sports (so we can move past your ridiculous hopscotch comparison) soccer serves a number of purposes that have fueled its worldwide popularity --

 

(1) It occupies 22 people at a time;

(2) The only equipment you need is a ball;

(3) You don't really "need" a referee; and

(4) The basic rules are pretty simple -- score a goal using anything but your hands.

 

These, by the way, are the same reasons soccer has gained so much popularity as a youth sport in the US over the past 25 years. Cheap and easy.

 

I'm not debating, I hope you realize, that soccer is a great game and many wonderful athletes play it at a high level. As I indicated in my first post in this thread, I played soccer for a period of 10-12 years and was actually quite good at it. I'm merely responding to the notion continually thrust upon Americans that we should be embracing the sport on TV at a level equal to that of football, basketball, baseball, and yes, even hockey. It just ain't gonna happen.

[ajzepp]

Nah...I was just in the middle of watching an exciting game and used it to help clarify my point. I watch what I like, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

 

 

Hardy's point was personal to Hardy, and I took it as just that. Every time someone criticizes soccer on TV, though, you guys crawl out of the woodwork to tell us we don't appreciate the "beauty" of the sport, which is really all a bunch of hogwash.

 

 

In the realm of team sports (so we can move past your ridiculous hopscotch comparison) soccer serves a number of purposes that have fueled its worldwide popularity --

 

(1) It occupies 22 people at a time;

(2) The only equipment you need is a ball;

(3) You don't really "need" a referee; and

(4) The basic rules are pretty simple -- score a goal using anything but your hands.

 

These, by the way, are the same reasons soccer has gained so much popularity as a youth sport in the US over the past 25 years. Cheap and easy.

 

I'm not debating, I hope you realize, that soccer is a great game and many wonderful athletes play it at a high level. As I indicated in my first post in this thread, I played soccer for a period of 10-12 years and was actually quite good at it. I'm merely responding to the notion continually thrust upon Americans that we should be embracing the sport on TV at a level equal to that of football, basketball, baseball, and yes, even hockey. It just ain't gonna happen.

 

 

They don't have team hopscotch?

 

Most of the time when we have a soccer thread, the soccer fans keep it to themselves...then someone comes in and starts busting balls (which I think is great when something is actually brought to the table and not lame), and then we're put in the position of talking about why soccer is such an awesome sport. I don't think soccer folks are thrusting the notion you cited on anyone...most of us are pretty content being a niche sport with some potential for growth, and appreciate having a bit more access to the matches - both here and abroad. I just think that saying the "cheap and easy" thing is WHY soccer is as popular as it is is way oversimplistic, and it takes away from those aspects of the game that we all love. And I hate to tell you, but soccer ratings are already better than the NHL and the NBA at certain times. That doesn't mean I expect soccer players to be getting commercials and have the same visibility in this country as some of more marketable players in those two leagues, but I remember articles from 2006 citing the world cup ratings in America as being higher than both the NBA and NHL finals. If it never got any bigger than it is now, I'd be pretty happy with that.

 

As for hockey, I've never played it other than in gym class, but now that it's in HD I find myself watching it much more often. As with the NBA, I love when it comes down to the playoffs and finals...especially when my Sixers and Flyers are in the mix as the both were and are this season. I don't just love one sport, and I think there's room for all of the sports we love on the national stage

[eball]

They don't have team hopscotch?

 

Most of the time when we have a soccer thread, the soccer fans keep it to themselves...then someone comes in and starts busting balls (which I think is great when something is actually brought to the table and not lame), and then we're put in the position of talking about why soccer is such an awesome sport. I don't think soccer folks are thrusting the notion you cited on anyone...most of us are pretty content being a niche sport with some potential for growth, and appreciate having a bit more access to the matches - both here and abroad. I just think that saying the "cheap and easy" thing is WHY soccer is as popular as it is is way oversimplistic, and it takes away from those aspects of the game that we all love. And I hate to tell you, but soccer ratings are already better than the NHL and the NBA at certain times. That doesn't mean I expect soccer players to be getting commercials and have the same visibility in this country as some of more marketable players in those two leagues, but I remember articles from 2006 citing the world cup ratings in America as being higher than both the NBA and NHL finals. If it never got any bigger than it is now, I'd be pretty happy with that.

 

As for hockey, I've never played it other than in gym class, but now that it's in HD I find myself watching it much more often. As with the NBA, I love when it comes down to the playoffs and finals...especially when my Sixers and Flyers are in the mix as the both were and are this season. I don't just love one sport, and I think there's room for all of the sports we love on the national stage

Being played only once every four years has something to do with that, don't you think? There's certainly a "novelty" about the World Cup because it is so infrequent -- just like the Olympics. I never watch track and field, but every four years I find myself watching a freaking hammer throw because it's the Olympics.

[GoodBye]

Tennis seems to be on the rise and American Gladiators.