We won!

[sunfan1121]

The only other sports leagues in the US with more spectators than Major League Soccer is the NFL and MLB. I think it's quite big.

no way Jose. When was the last time MLS was on a major network? I guarantee more people watched the Daytona 500 then all the MLS games combined.

[Pigslilspaz]

no way Jose. When was the last time MLS was on a major network? I guarantee more people watched the Daytona 500 then all the MLS games combined.

Daytona Speedway has a capacity of 167,800.

In 2011, the average attendance for a MLS game was approximately 17,800 (rounded down to this number).

Considering that there were 306 MLS games played that season, that is a total of about 5,446,800 attendance for the whole season. Actually it should be a bit more than that since I rounded down.

So you are guaranteeing that 167,800 people is more than 5 million?  

 

[dedalos]

So you are guaranteeing that 167,800 people is more than 5 million?  

Sounds like he made a right turn somewhere 

[sunfan1121]

Daytona Speedway has a capacity of 167,800.

In 2011, the average attendance for a MLS game was approximately 17,800 (rounded down to this number).

Considering that there were 306 MLS games played that season, that is a total of about 5,446,800 attendance for the whole season. Actually it should be a bit more than that since I rounded down.

So you are guaranteeing that 167,800 people is more than 5 million?  

14.2 million people watched the Daytona 500 on tv. That's what I was getting at.

[Pigslilspaz]

14.2 million people watched the Daytona 500 on tv. That's what I was getting at.

Alright, you may argue TV in this as well, then lets do the math.

Daytona 500 2012 had approximately 14.2 million viewers that watched at least a portion of the race. (Portion being as little as two minutes).

In order for MLS to equal that, it would have to be only 46,000 viewers per game on television, while in reality it averages over 250,000 with 622,000 people watching the game between the Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls last June, and that wasn't even the cup finals.

So, with an average of 250,000 x 306 games, that is 76,000,000

76million > 14.2million

Please back up your assumptions with facts next time.

 

[Pigslilspaz]

Also, read this

http://www.epltalk.com/dispelling-the-myth-that-soccer-is-not-big-in-america-36718

[sunfan1121]

Alright, you may argue TV in this as well, then lets do the math.

Daytona 500 2012 had approximately 14.2 million viewers that watched at least a portion of the race. (Portion being as little as two minutes).

In order for MLS to equal that, it would have to be only 46,000 viewers per game on television, while in reality it averages over 250,000 with 622,000 people watching the game between the Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls last June, and that wasn't even the cup finals.

So, with an average of 250,000 x 306 games, that is 76,000,000

76million > 14.2million

Please back up your assumptions with facts next time.

 

All 306 games are televised? I didnt know any sport did that.

[Pigslilspaz]

All 306 games are televised? I didnt know any sport did that.

Fair enough. But even if only 20% of games were televised, even that would be more than the 14.2 million.

[kilo2]

Fair enough. But even if only 20% of games were televised, even that would be more than the 14.2 million.

75,000 is the average for the FSC which airs most of the games. The espn broadcast which are few and far between average 250,000.

[Pigslilspaz]

75,000 is the average for the FSC which airs most of the games. The espn broadcast which are few and far between average 250,000.

Well, I am a bit embarrassed, my sources seem to be off on that one. But using those numbers, using 75,000 as the average and not even counting the ESPN or other major network coverage, the 14.2 needed to surpass sunfans claim is reached with only 60% of the MLS games being covered.

Right now I can't find out how many of MLS's games were televised in 2011, if someone could help me, that would be great.

[ScottyK]

  I will be at the Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy game on July 14th. 


  As far as the win goes for the US, its huge, especially against a powerhouse like Italy.

[Pigslilspaz]

  I will be at the Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy game on July 14th. 


  As far as the win goes for the US, its huge, especially against a powerhouse like Italy.

I hate the Galaxy, but that's just because I'm a San Jose fan.

[ScottyK]

  I will be Boooing everytime Landon Donovan touches the ball.

[Rich52]

Fair enough. But even if only 20% of games were televised, even that would be more than the 14.2 million.

I didnt know any Fire games were televised and I live here. And compareing the popularity of soccer to Baseball in America would be kinda hysterical.

It must be a good game, much of the world is mad about it. Chicago sure isnt tho.

[kilo2]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=soccer&id=6109058

I think only 21 games aired on espn.