15 replies to this topic

[Mike in STL]

You forgot Charles Comisky.

There are 32 NFL teams, 30 NBA teams, 32 NHL teams, 22 MLS teams, & 30 MLB teams.

That's 146 owners (groups). You named 5. That's a 3.42% chance the team ends up with a worse owner. I'll take my chances the O's will be in much, much better hands.

This is America. MLS doesn’t count.

[weird-O]

This is America. MLS doesn’t count.

Fair point

[BSLChrisStoner]

This is America. MLS doesn’t count.

The NHL is still more profitable; but MLS popularity is pretty even (or higher). 

[Pedro Cerrano]

The NHL is still more profitable; but MLS popularity is pretty even (or higher).

I’d have to see TV ratings but I have a difficult time believing this.

[BSLMikeLowe]

The NHL is still more profitable; but MLS popularity is pretty even (or higher). 

 

We'll see what happens starting next year when all their games move to AppleTV+

[Mike in STL]

The NHL is still more profitable; but MLS popularity is pretty even (or higher).

Comment was a little tongue in cheek.

But…

I’d believe the Premier League could be on par with the NHL. Not MLS.

After looking it up…

MLS gets 257K viewers for televised games. EPL in America gets 570K tv viewers and another 912K streaming. (Peacock?)
https://theathletic....ge-new-tv-deal/

NHL gets 460K viewers per game.
https://www.sportsbu...viewership.aspx

PGA Tour got 2.78M viewers for the final round of the Canadian Open in June. Not close to a major, but a decent set of names near the top on that day.
https://www.sportspr...tings-liv-golf/

It’s still a big four. Not a big five. And the MLS isn’t even the top source of Soccer for Americans.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Lets not turn this into a soccer isn't a real spot BS.

 

Facts: There are 28 MLS teams not 22.

 

Facts: There are more youth soccer players than any sports not called Baseball and Basketball.

 

Ok rant over.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Popularity:
https://www.reddit.c..._surpassed_nhl/

 

@MLS_Buzz

According to research from Statista, MLS is now the 4th most followed professional sports league in the USA, leaving the NHL behind. That gap with the MLB might seem large, but at the rate soccer and MLS are gaining ground, it will continue to close rapidly.

[BSLChrisStoner]

@MLS_Buzz

The 2021 NHL Playoffs averaged 924k viewers in the United States. The Euros averaged 1.36 million. This season regular season NHL games averaged 391k on. EPL averaged 414k. Soccer has surpassed hockey, it’s obvious. MLS hasn’t surpassed NHL, but soccer has passed hockey.

[BSLChrisStoner]

@novy_williams

·

Dec 16, 2021

Here's how the five major U.S. leagues stack up by average franchise value, according to

@Sportico

and

@kbadenhausen

@NFL

- - $3.5 billion

@NBA

- - $2.6 billion

@MLB

- - $2.2 billion

@NHL

- - $930 million

@MLS

- - $550 million

[BSLChrisStoner]

The NHL averages 17,455 in attendance per game.

The MLS averages 20,151 in attendance per game.  

Obviously soccer specific stadium size vs. arena size factors.
 

[BSLChrisStoner]

So, NHL still far more profitable...   and TV viewership is better.  

 

I think there is an argument for the popularity being awash... and going forward will lean heavily to the MLS.

 

Mainly, I'm just pointing out that I think the MLS story is pretty remarkable.  
The first season was '96, and it's emerged as a legitimate, profitable league that continues to grow. 

High expansion fees. Large amount of soccer specific stadiums at this point, increasing revenue, increasing improvement in quality of play. Considering all the challenges in place of building something from nothing in the American sporting landscape.... they've found a niche. 

[Mike in STL]

Lets not turn this into a soccer isn't a real spot BS.

Facts: There are 28 MLS teams not 22.

Facts: There are more youth soccer players than any sports not called Baseball and Basketball.

Ok rant over.

Soccer is 100% a real sport.

The youth participation aspect is not a surprise since it has the least equipment necessary to run. So you can find a lot of places to play. Another reason it’s “the worlds sport”. Hot, cold, old, young, indoors, outdoors, rich, poor, first world, third world, 6 kids, 22 kids, soccer is available.

No doubt soccer is growing in popularity. But all the good American players play overseas. Until they turn 35 or something.

The MLS, the top league in the US, isn’t the preferred league among US residents though. It’s probably not even the 3rd or 4th preferred league as far as ratings go.

[Mike in STL]

The NHL averages 17,455 in attendance per game.
The MLS averages 20,151 in attendance per game.

Obviously soccer specific stadium size vs. arena size factors.

A lot of these teams play if football specific stadiums. No? My sister in law visited a couple years back from Atlanta and insisted on watching the Atlanta MLS game. They play in the Falcons stadium and it was sold out. 70,000+. I know they play in football stadiums in Foxboro, Soldier Field, Seattle…I’m sure like any league you have your teams that don’t draw at all (Os of recent years, Rays forever). But NHL has like 1-3 games/year where they can sell more than 20k seats.

[Mike in STL]

Popularity:
https://www.reddit.c..._surpassed_nhl/












@MLS_Buzz







According to research from Statista, MLS is now the 4th most followed professional sports league in the USA, leaving the NHL behind. That gap with the MLB might seem large, but at the rate soccer and MLS are gaining ground, it will continue to close rapidly.

A poll of 766 sports fans? Come on, that’s like my graduation class.

[BSLMikeLowe]

No doubt soccer is growing in popularity. But all the good American players play overseas. Until they turn 35 or something.

The MLS, the top league in the US, isn’t the preferred league among US residents though. It’s probably not even the 3rd or 4th preferred league as far as ratings go.

This is what has to change if they want to remain viable. Counting on expansion fees as a major source of revenues becomes a Ponzi scheme eventually.