Quote:
Originally Posted by JHikka
It's the easiest marketing angle for the sport in North America. A ton of people watch the Premier League on a weekly basis but only a fraction of them tune in to MLS.
This is beside the fact that a lot of people in soccer development as a whole in North America have British backgrounds.
|
And that is soccer's in Canada's blessing and curse.
I tuned into TSN's Games on Demand to watch Eng/Swe, only I think the second WC Game I've watched this year. All of the TSN commentators had British accents, I am sure others will disagree but to me that is a big turnoff. It might be different if any of them had some sort of greater cachet than a "Canadian" could have in that position, but they don't.
After all these years soccer still seems to be the "immigrant" game which is something (with the high younger participation rates) I though it would outgrow (my opinion only)
MLS faces the same monoliths as does the CFL. They each have their following of fans but are missing a much larger group of football/soccer "fans". I put fans in quotes because a real fan would appreciate the sport at all levels just not the most prestigious one. Most American football fans like football at all levels, high school, college, pro.
Back to a previous point, I wonder why I have had no interest in the WC this year. Lots of upsets which should make it more exciting, I just haven't gotten around to watching anything. Is this a popular or quiet WC, or is it just me who doesn't have any interest. I'm just not seeing too much at the forums I've been frequenting.