World Cup Starts Today!!!

[Dixonfor6]

Sure the world cup gets a ton of viewers.. I would like to know how the MLS stacks up to the big three in American sports. I don't think the NBA and MLB are as unpopular as you guys want it to be.

[weunice]

Sure the world cup gets a ton of viewers.. I would like to know how the MLS stacks up to the big three in American sports. I don't think the NBA and MLB are as unpopular as you guys want it to be.

The MLS has a long term future because it puts fans in the stands. I seem to recall it started at a similar time as the WNBA. The WNBA beat the MLS in TV sets but it has teams folding and without the big bankroll of the NBA would fold on its own (honestly I think the ABL if it had been left on its own would have been the way to gauge the viability of a womens basketball league). I don't think you will see that with the MLS. The MLS has room to grow and likely will continue to.

[HoDo-Tech70]

I've watched World Cup soccer with mild to moderate interest for many years but I've never heard the answer to the question below and I really don't care enough to google it.

Is a running clock with stoppage time added at the end of each half standard in all soccer games?

It seems like it would be better to stop the clock during a "stoppage" and then restart it during play. That way everyone playing and watching would know exactly when the game clock gets to 00:00.

[Dawg06]

I've watched World Cup soccer with mild to moderate interest for many years but I've never heard the answer to the question below and I really don't care enough to google it.

Is a running clock with stoppage time added at the end of each half standard in all soccer games?

It seems like it would be better to stop the clock during a "stoppage" and then restart it during play. That way everyone playing and watching would know exactly when the game clock gets to 00:00.

I was a youth soccer referee, and we used the official FIFA rule book. There is no scorekeeper or clock operator in soccer like there is in other sports. In soccer, official score and time are kept by the center referee. Only NCAA soccer counts down to zero without stoppage time, and the clock never stops. All other levels from youth to high school (LHSAA) to professional, the clock counts up with stoppage time added at the end. The center referee is supposed to have a second watch to record stoppage time, but at the lower levels the center referee just estimates it. At the pro level, there is always a fourth official to show how much stoppage time is added. At the lower levels, nobody but the center referee knows how much stoppage he's adding. You play until you hear the whistle blow.

BTW there is an MLS game on ESPN2 right now with over 64K in attendance. Sellout in Seattle.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

Yes, this is so easily true. Period!

LEBRON: World Cup 'bigger' than NBA finals...

[theprofessor]

In the 12-24 age bracket, pro soccer has already surpassed the NBA in popularity. For the young American demographic, pro soccer is #2 in popularity behind the NFL.

*amongst white people

I'd argue that's not the only demographic. In fact, the African-American community is probably the only young demographic where basketball remains more popular than soccer.

[johnnylightnin]

I'd argue that's not the only demographic. In fact, the African-American community is probably the only young demographic where basketball remains more popular than soccer.

Soccer is also #1 amongst the fastest growing demographic in the country.

I'd still put it behind NFL, NBA, NCAAF, and NCAAB....but I could be wrong.

[Dixonfor6]

I'd argue that's not the only demographic. In fact, the African-American community is probably the only young demographic where basketball remains more popular than soccer.

I just don't really see the demographic the majority of athletes come from changing their love of basketball and football over to soccer.

[Guisslapp]

Soccer is also #1 amongst the fastest growing demographic in the country.

I'd still put it behind NFL, NBA, NCAAF, and NCAAB....but I could be wrong.

You can also put it (professional soccer) behind NASCAR, horse racing, Golf, Tennis.

Now a once-every-four-year quasi-Olympic competition in which nationalism unifies the competing countries, you get a nice viewer$hip bump in the US.

[theprofessor]

Soccer is also #1 amongst the fastest growing demographic in the country.

I'd still put it behind NFL, NBA, NCAAF, and NCAAB....but I could be wrong.

I don't break those into four sports. Those are two sports -- football and basketball. Soccer is the third sport.

[theprofessor]

I just don't really see the demographic the majority of athletes come from changing their love of basketball and football over to soccer.

People didn't see the dwindling popularity of baseball coming either, but it came.

[theprofessor]

You can also put it (professional soccer) behind NASCAR, horse racing, Golf, Tennis.

Now a once-every-four-year quasi-Olympic competition in which nationalism unifies the competing countries, you get a nice viewer$hip bump in the US.

NASCAR's popularity, both at the track and on TV, has been dwindling for several years now. The other three you listed are niche sports. People watch three horse races, four golf tournaments and four tennis tournaments. The minor events don't attract nearly the interest.

[Tech77]

People didn't see the dwindling popularity of baseball coming either, but it came.

Get back to me when American soccer has 30 teams nationwide playing 81 home games a season and still averages 30,000 fans per game across the sport. Baseball is a long way from being ill.

[PawDawg]

They took the controversy out of baseball when they cracked down on PEDs. Ratings down.

Tried to "clean up" NASCAR. Took away the drama. Ratings down.

Tiger out of golf. Ratings down.

Note: TV Ratings and Attendance are different subjects.

[Guisslapp]

NASCAR's popularity, both at the track and on TV, has been dwindling for several years now. The other three you listed are niche sports. People watch three horse races, four golf tournaments and four tennis tournaments. The minor events don't attract nearly the interest.

World Cup is niche. They don't even do it every year.