Do you think the MLS soccer will ever be up there with the NFL/NBA?

[NBAplayoffs2001]

In terms of popularity?

[Shade8780]

Won't even be as popular as the BPL or La Liga.

You guys had Pele for a few years in the 70s, and it's still a shitty league. David Beckham will never change that.

[netsfan549]

I think it will, just give it time. More Hispanics are coming to us. And lots of Americans starting to like soccer

[ItsMillerTime]

Will never happen. The NFL, however, may become the most popular sports organization in the world one day.

[kentatm]

yes.

as the league and its salary cap grows (and possibly goes away) they will be able to get better and better players which will attract more and more attention.

[ALBballer]

I think it could become on the level of the NHL in 10-20 years maybe the MLB as well. It will never reach the level of popularity of Basketball or Football.

The average age of the MLB viewer is close to 55 and the situation has only gotten worse in terms of age demographics over the years. I think many people in their 20-30s are starting to get into soccer and like that the game will not take up more than 2 hours of your life as opposed to baseball which averages around 3 hours and sometimes it can take 5 to 6 hours to finish a game.

[boozehound]

Won't even be as popular as the BPL or La Liga.

You guys had Pele for a few years in the 70s, and it's still a shitty league. David Beckham will never change that.
that wasnt even the same league IIRC. MLS was founded in the early aughts or late nineties.


and, no, no it wont.

There may be pockets (like Seattle, SLC, Columbus) but overall, I dont think so.

[~primetime~]

Not any time soon, that's for sure...

Throwing a shit ton of cash at Beckham did nothing...the US needs all of the elites, we don't watch second tier players.

[ace23]

No

[JohnnySic]

Will never happen. The NFL, however, may become the most popular sports organization in the world one day.
Basketball is the only game that even has a chance of eclipsing soccer worldwide.

IMO the NFL has peaked. It may start to lose popularity as more rules are implemented to "soften" the game and prevent injuries.

[NBAplayoffs2001]

Basketball is the only game that even has a chance of eclipsing soccer worldwide.

IMO the NFL has peaked. It may start to lose popularity as more rules are implemented to "soften" the game and prevent injuries.

The NFL has already lost me. I haven't watched a super bowl in two years because I refuse to watch a game that sets up kickoffs to pretty much be touchbacks each time. :rolleyes:.

[Legends66NBA7]

I doubt it.

Soccer is more popular worldwide, but not in North America IMO.

[sweggeh]

Will never happen. The NFL, however, may become the most popular sports organization in the world one day.

:roll:

[KingBeasley08]

Hell no. This is an NFL country. Always will be.


American football- the sport of champions

[MavsSuperFan]

NO MLS will never be an elite soccer league. IF americans become interested in soccer they will watch the EPL or La Liga or the german one

This is the equivalent of asking will double AA baseball become popular or will the d-league become popular.

[nightprowler10]

Will never happen. The NFL, however, may become the most popular sports organization in the world one day.
What? Football is barely top 10 in the world in terms of popularity and you think they'll become bigger than FIFA?

[boozehound]

I don't like that they're bringing non-Americans to try to popularize the game, the league. And when those big names come here, they're already washed-up. Theirry Henry came to New York Red Bulls a couple of years ago.

MLS will get bigger when our guys get better. And our national team is improving every year too. Americans are the greatest athletes in the world and we will take over this silly game soon. :cheers:
I have been hearing this shit since I was a kid in the early 80s. Had a neighbor who was a professional soccer player/coach (brit ex-pat) and every single kid in my school played AYSO.

[~primetime~]

Yearly Revenue ($billions):

National Football League $9.0
Major League Baseball $8.0
National Basketball Association $5.0
National Hockey League $3.3
Major League Soccer $0.5
Canadian Football League $0.2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_St ates_and_Canada

[~primetime~]

BTW, Gridiron Football is the second most popular sport in Canada...only behind Hockey

Gridiron Football is also very popular in Mexico


first we conquer N.America...then we migrate into S.America and let them know what's up (pads are expensive though, might be an issue)...THEN we take over Australia who isn't far off with rugby...and then it is on to Europe. Asia might be difficult, not sure that one can happen.

[shaq2000]

I wish it could replace baseball right now. It'll be a great sports environment when the NFL, NBA and MLS are the top 3 leagues in the U.S. Or at least NFL, NBA, NHL.

Give the MLB to Japan or something.

[32jazz]

Perhaps .

No one thought much of 'professional' basketball or football(college football was popular however),etc.... when Horse Racing, Boxing & Baseball were king.


Never say never.

[nightprowler10]

BTW, Gridiron Football is the second most popular sport in Canada...only behind Hockey

Gridiron Football is also very popular in Mexico


first we conquer N.America...then we migrate into S.America and let them know what's up (pads are expensive though, might be an issue)...THEN we take over Australia who isn't far off with rugby...and then it is on to Europe. Asia might be difficult, not sure that one can happen.
Haha, put down that pipe.

[nba_55]

BTW, Gridiron Football is the second most popular sport in Canada...only behind Hockey

Gridiron Football is also very popular in Mexico


first we conquer N.America...then we migrate into S.America and let them know what's up (pads are expensive though, might be an issue)...THEN we take over Australia who isn't far off with rugby...and then it is on to Europe. Asia might be difficult, not sure that one can happen.

In Canada, hockey >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> everything else. Football will never come close to hockey.

In South America, soccer >>>>>>> everything else. Football will never come close.

Why exactly would Australia leave rugby for Football? :oldlol: Football doesn't stand any chance in there due to rugby. I think cricket is the most popular sport in there anyway.

In Asia, football will never be relevant in there. Not in a million years.

Europe, soccer will always be #1. Then, there are other sports like cricket, basketball,... Football doesn't stand a chance.

[SunsN07BookIt]

They need to make the goals bigger and/or field smaller, watching kickball as it is right now is literally painful to watch.

[qrich]

The MLS is still in its infancy compared to nearly every other professional league out there. Surpassing the NHL won't be very difficult, followed by the MLB.

Surpassing the NFL will take a while, and even longer for the NBA.

[bluesteel2010]

BTW, Gridiron Football is the second most popular sport in Canada...only behind Hockey

Gridiron Football is also very popular in Mexico


first we conquer N.America...then we migrate into S.America and let them know what's up (pads are expensive though, might be an issue)...THEN we take over Australia who isn't far off with rugby...and then it is on to Europe. Asia might be difficult, not sure that one can happen.

Australia has its own football that is the #1 sport here, it won't ever be overtaken. NFL will become a little more popular though now that the Superbowl and a few games throughout the year are going to be shown on one of the main free to air TV channels.

[Smook A.]

Probably not. MLS is in here, The United States. Soccor is just not as popular in America as it is in other countries.

[ThePhantomCreep]

Would need Serie A/La Liga level talent to pull that off.

[deja vu]

Basketball is the only game that even has a chance of eclipsing soccer worldwide.
Not a chance. Soccer is like a religion out there. Dudes are willing to kill for that shit. :lol

[I<3NBA]

They need to make the goals bigger and/or field smaller, watching kickball as it is right now is literally painful to watch.
there's indoor football. small goals, small court, more goals.

if what you want is simply more goals, then removing the goalie would do the job.