Originally posted by tharun
That is one of the most bizarre things I've ever heard. This is the most watched game in the world. It is the kind of game that people kill/fight/die over. There are very very few countries in the world which aren't OBSESSED with this game. (USA, Canada, NZ, Australia are the major exceptions)
They have nothing to compare it to. At least these countries HAVE soccer players to root for. Also, never underestimate the power of habit and tradition.

I think the fact that soccer is ENORMOUSLY popular in the USA as far as how many people play it, but still fails for watching is evidence of a flaw in the sport- not in the people watching.

In the USA, soccer is the most played sport by children under the age of 18. The term "soccer mom" (which is now in the dictionary) was invented here. So there definitely is plenty of exposure. The sport just sucks ass on TV and there are other sports here that are far more developed for watchability.



Originally posted by tharun
Perhaps it is sports like NBA, NFL MLB etc. that need to take a look at soccer to see what people like, in order to become more interesting games. They simply do not interest people in most of the world. Imagine how much money there would be in those American games if Western Europe, South and central America, Africa and Asia gave a major-league -hotdog about them.
Baseball is enormously popular in the entire Carribean and South American regions, as well as in Japan.

Basketball is becoming VERY popular in Europe.

Once other countries get exposure to these other sports (and have a chance to develop some of their own Hometown Heroes), these sports start to kick ass.

Honestly, I love soccer, but it needs help for watchability.