“Soccer is the 'now' sport for a variety of timely reasons.”
When do you think a U.S. sports executive uttered these words? Last week? During the 2002 World Cup when the Univision “Goooooooallll” announcer burst on the scene? Try 1977.
With the World Cup starting this weekend, expect to hear a lot more quotes like this one and others that have been said over the past 30 years. But for some reason soccer continues to be the sport of tomorrow here in the States, while never being the sport of today.
Oh sure, it has grown. But rather than in a burst, its making a Bataan-like march towards popularity.
And every time soccer’s popularity gains here, you can’t help but notice how far behind we still lag from the rest of the footie-fanatics all over the world:
• During the past few weeks, ESPN has been promoting this year’s La Copa Mundial by showing us the incredible passion other countries have for this sport? These spots make me feel guilty for presumably thinking about sex at some point over the next five weeks.
• Saturday’s U.S. game is arguably the most anticipated US game ever. But that didn’t stop MLB and the NBA from scheduling games this weekend, or movie studios from releasing ”The A-Team” and “Karate Kid.”
Soccer is now the 5th most popular sport in the U.S., based on attendance, TV contracts, and cultural zeitgeist. I expect it to overtake hockey very soon. Beyond that, the smartest thing U.S. Soccer leaders could do is to continue moving slowly, smartly, and strategically. Tomorrow will eventually arrive for soccer, but regardless of how the U.S. team performs in South Africa, it won’t be today.
Hockey continues to grow in popularity as well...I don't think soccer will ever be higher than 5th. People complain that hockey doesn't have enough scoring. Soccer ends in 0-0 and 1-1 ties all the time.
ReplyDeleteThey both are very similar but hockey is 1000x faster and has 1000x more action.
The only thing hockey needs to do to further promote itself is get a deal with ESPN. They desperately need it to get the casual fans.
Comparing the World Cup to Stanley Cup would be like comparing Olympic hockey to whatever the MLS has for their championship.
Great points Force Blogger. But I wonder if hockey being "1000x faster" is part of what contributes to people having trouble following the action on TV.
ReplyDelete