“You know what Gordie Howe got for a signing bonus? A team jacket!” -Youngblood
In class last Wednesday, Dr. Spencer talked about the popularity of soccer/futbol in Europe compared to the U.S. In Europe, futbol games are jammed packed with fans supporting their team. Futbol games have been known to even cause riots because the fans are so passionate. The U.S. has a different outlook. In the past, the U.S. has tried to establish a soccer league but has failed miserable. The latest league, Major League Soccer, has become a pleasant surprise. However, the league’s new all-star, David Beckham, has not worked out so well. Recently, Beckham has been booed by fans from the L.A. Galaxy. Beckham was signed to a five-year contract. The deal went south when Beckham wanted to be loaned to AC Milan. Beckham’s loan brought displeasure to American fans.
In Europe, the teams have sponsorships that pay a lot of money to be worn by the teams. A lot of money is spent on some of the top futbol players in the World. Their games are on European channels just as much as basketball, baseball, and football in America. For the most part, futbol seems to be played all year long unlike soccer in America. Soccer in America will not survive because a lack of sponsorships and how long the season lasts. The MLS cannot afford to pay the same top dollar that European futbol players are paid.
My solution is when the MLS plays there games, the teams should play in stadiums with a retractable roof. While games are played in summer, the roofs will stay open. Then the season can continue into early fall as the roof can be closed and the field is still in good condition. Major League Baseball has looked into new stadiums having retractable roofs so there are not a lot of make-up games due to bad weather. My other suggestion to this solution is to have primetime games like the NBA has for Christmas and NFL has for Sundays.
I am glad that you offered some solutions that could make soccer more viable in the US. I noticed an announcement on ESPN just today that Beckham will be "loaned" to AC Milan again in January. At the time, I thought, "if he doesn't want to be here, then why stay?" The Beckham experiment has obviously not worked, so quit the charade. If I feel that way, I imagine a lot of other people do. I feel badly that people are booing him, but I kind of understand it too. I was really hoping that Beckham would bring some kind of excitement to US soccer.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way Dr. Spencer, I was really hoping that Beckham’s ‘Coming to America’ would spark great interest for Soccer. Beckham was a complete waste of money considering the break-down of his salary was $1 million a week. A WEEK, and for what…maybe interest was there initially because people liked the idea of him. He is a very skilled player, when he plays that is. I remember when a lot of people that were so hyped because LA Galaxy was coming to the Crew Stadium in Columbus to play. To get tickets for that game you had to buy them in groups of three. After all that exposure, he either didn’t play or came in the last few minutes and ran around.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it turns out that not even the Sexiest Man Alive can make Americans like soccer! :) I almost feel like America tried to take the easy way out in creating interest. Nick, you are right, the league that the US has is just not as strong and developed as European Leagues. The sponsorship is not there and therefore the support is not there from fans. Those are pretty good solutions for the US to take into consideration. However, I just have a feeling that it will either take a LONG time to get the exposure there, or it just won’t ever catch on.