Comments on: Americans Love To Watch Soccer, Just Not MLS

By: bg

bg — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:08:42 +0000

You forgot to mention ESPN Deportes numbers for MLS tv ratings. Actually, if you add those numbers, you should be close to the 2007 numbers. If MLS attendance is down, it is mainly due to the serious financial crises. This is the worst recession since the Great Depression. Consumers for the first time are saving their money. Unemployment will reach about 8.5-9% by sometimes next year. So, let’s be fair and understand the effects of the economic slowdown. For example, movie business is down 35% from last year. People are buying less jewelry. Consumer electronic stores are cutting the prices on their tv’s. Macy’s and Saks are already cutting prices about 60-75%. We are heading into the worst deflation, not inflation, of the past 50 years. These are numbers and facts. Consumer confidence was the lowest ever in this country since that index was created. To suffice, all of this effects discretionary income including concerts and sporting events.

By: Lou

Lou — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:29:21 +0000

Excellent article and my thoughts are similar. While the MLS should be concerned about the low ratings the fact that ESPN draws audience for soccer will ensure the continual interest in MLS by ESPN. ESPN and it’s family of channels has space and time to fill and MLS does that for them. The problem is that MLS with it’s summer schedule in the US/Canada especially on Saturdays will have very little TV viewership. When the weather is colder more people will watch but that is when American football NCAA/NFL takes over and MLS is left only to the hard core fan.
I’m from Chicago and all Fire league games are televised on one channel or another. Let me say that a Fire game is a great time and well worth the money. Even the cheap seats bring one a great view. Yet, in days of HD TV and a bad economy the best seat in the house is really in your living room. Bottom line is that MLS needs bigger names to attract a big viewership.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:50:34 +0000

I like all soccer, I don’t care where it is played, what country it is played in, or who is playing it. That being said, do I have preferences as to which league I’ll watch before which league? Yes, when it comes to tv, I’ll watch Serie A over pretty much all other leagues, but I’ll also watch MLS over EPL, because MLS is my league, and really I’d rather watch Columbus v. Chicago over Wigan v. Bolton any day. When it comes to live soccer, MLS is on top because I live in a MLS market, and I cover the local team. Of course, the fact that I’m in Houston and primarily watch the Dynamo probably makes me bias, but I can live with that. This weekend though, the big match is in the Eternal City on Sunday – Roma v. Lazio.

By: kaidez

kaidez — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:25:58 +0000

Great article! And I sadly agree.

Sunderland – Portsmouth? At this point, I’d watch Derby County-Tottenham before I watch an MLS game.