The United States is a country that has
reputation for its basketball, baseball, and football leagues. Where its
reputation in the most popular sport in the world? Soccer in the United States
is not given the emphasis that it needs to become popular like the other
sports. In high school, students are in a way taught by society that if you
want to be cool and fit in, you have to play football, basketball, or baseball.
The media also has a big motivator for athletes to be involved in the three big
sports. For example, almost everything that they talk about is about the three
big sports and since this is what the audience see then they feel like that is
the norm and it has to be followed. Recently NBC signed a contract with the
English Premier League to have the rights to a big amount of the games that
will be played during the season. This is good for the sports audience since
they will be able to see top-level soccer and create some interest in the
American audience. I hope soccer becomes an impact sport in the United States
in the near future, that way there are more possibilities for kids to join
soccer teams and also so the United States could host another World Cup which I
would definitely attend.
Jovanny Mata
KIN 332i section 03 2455
2 comments:
I think that there are a few ways that soccer can become popular in the United States. First of all, Like you said it needs to be more prevalent on television. If Americans can see more of the high profile games it will increase their interest in the sport. Secondly, Fans need to invite their friends to more local MLS games. I know from experience that nothing can turn an apathetic american into a true soccer fanatic like cheering on the home team during a big win. Lastly, Americans just need to learn more about the game. I became much more interested in soccer once I learned about the different formations and tactics. I feel that most Americans would become fans of soccer if they would open their minds and become fully immersed in it.
Patrick S.
332I Sec 03
I think soccer is becoming a growing sport in the US. LIke Jovanny said about NBC shelling out the money for the rights to show the English soccer league and with the LA Galaxy being the only LA team to win a championship this year. I also think David Beckam and Robbie Keane brought a lot of publicity to the MLS. Another interesting thing is that a few teams overseas are actually owened by Americans, which is not common. There is also talk of a new team in the US to expand the MLS.
I think soccer will grow in time and start to pull in more sport fans. ESPN put out a study about how soccer is the second most popular sport in the US right now because baseball is on a decline due to steroid use.
Here's the article: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/relegationzone/id/262?cc=5901
-Robin Hinkle
332i tue-thur 1230-145
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