Dkrift
04 May 2005, 05:50 PM
Great article
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/3589784
Air America's Mark Riley loves his Arsenal
/ Fox Soccer Channel
Posted: 5 hours ago
I've often said the following — "Sports and politics, just don't mix".
Nick Webster the voice of the EPL on Fox Soccer Channel writes about the Prem every Monday.
This weekend I had to take that back after chatting it up with Mark Riley, co-host of "Morning Sedition" on the decidedly political, Air America Radio.
You're probably wondering what Mark and the "beautiful game" have in common and to be fair so did I until a late-night channel-surfing expedition had me stumble across the HBO special "Left of the Dial" where I found Riley proudly decked out in an Arsenal shirt.
The first thing I found out about him was that he's taken his life into his own hands by becoming a Gunner because his missus was born in the shadows of White Hart Lane and is a big Tottenham supporter. That'll make for some interesting after-dinner conversations eh!
The following is a discussion on how the English Premier League grabbed Mark by the "short and curlies" and refused to let go, why being a soccer fan is "un-American", how black soccer players will sooner or later have their own world-class role models and much more.
Nick Webster: When did you start supporting Arsenal?
Mark Riley: I was lucky enough to go to Highbury in 1998 when they were playing Sheffield Wednesday and was blown away by the movement, pace and excitement of the action. The players instinctively knew where they were on the field of play. The crowd was also incredible with a refuse-to-lose attitude that was infectious. Pretty soon I found myself elated when we won, depressed when we lost!
NW: Who are your favorite players?
MR: I really admire the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and of course Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. The way Henry can change pace while seemingly at top speed is like a wide receiver in the NFL and being a huge Oakland Raider fan, I know the NFL, while Patrick is a monster out on the pitch.
NW: Why does soccer still struggle for media recognition?
MR: What Americans like to see is packed stadiums and we're in a situation now where viewers see vast, empty stadiums. Why would you want to go in person to see a game at an empty stadium? What the sport needs is that "must see" cache and full stadiums provide that. We're also a society that thrives on instant gratification. Both basketball and the NFL are high-scoring while soccer has a reputation for being low scoring. However, some of the best games I've ever seen have had nil-nil score lines so it's just a case of people getting to access top-level soccer.
NW: Why is being a soccer fan portrayed in some parts of the media as being un-American?
MR: You have to look at the history of America. Participating in American sports helps you become American. Throwing a football or baseball, bouncing a basketball, our sports are built around the use of the hand, while in soccer only one player is allowed the use of his hands. By playing or watching soccer it's almost as though you're holding on to the old country, the country of your birth. There is almost a touch of xenophobia when it comes to soccer in this country.
NW: The top black athletes gravitate to the big three, football, baseball and basketball...why?
MR: Money is the key factor. From high school to college and then to the pros is the logical progression in most cases and the logical career. When you look at Freddy Adu, who is making $500,000 and is the best paid player in MLS, then compare him to a bench-warmer in the NBA who makes a minimum of $1,000,000. It's easy to see why kids move towards traditional American sports. However, we've seen the impact that Tiger Woods, Arthur Ashe and the Williams sisters have had on sports that you wouldn't usually associate with black athletes. Once the likes of Cobi Jones and Eddie Pope become part of the coaching ranks we'll start to see definite progress, as kids will want to play with these guys.
NW: What are some ideas you have for making soccer a better product in this country?
MR: What I'd like to see is relegation and promotion. MLS and the 'A' League should have an agreement whereby it's two up — two down. Epic relegation battles add so much vibrancy because it keeps the season alive, unlike baseball where you can be out of the running by mid-July. Soccer specific stadiums are a must and I think the next 15-20 years will see 25,000-seat stadiums spring up. We also have to do a better job of tapping into the ethnic fan bases that make up a hardcore base for teams around the country.
NW: Where do you watch soccer in New York City?
MR: With Fox Soccer Channel I don't have to go anywhere anymore but there are many bars around the city that open up at the crack of dawn to cater for these crazy fans. I went to Nevada Smith's for the 2002 Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea and couldn't believe the crowd. The place was packed, the atmosphere electrifying, everyone was singing.
NW: Thanks for your time and good luck with Air America.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/3589784
Air America's Mark Riley loves his Arsenal
/ Fox Soccer Channel
Posted: 5 hours ago
I've often said the following — "Sports and politics, just don't mix".
Nick Webster the voice of the EPL on Fox Soccer Channel writes about the Prem every Monday.
This weekend I had to take that back after chatting it up with Mark Riley, co-host of "Morning Sedition" on the decidedly political, Air America Radio.
You're probably wondering what Mark and the "beautiful game" have in common and to be fair so did I until a late-night channel-surfing expedition had me stumble across the HBO special "Left of the Dial" where I found Riley proudly decked out in an Arsenal shirt.
The first thing I found out about him was that he's taken his life into his own hands by becoming a Gunner because his missus was born in the shadows of White Hart Lane and is a big Tottenham supporter. That'll make for some interesting after-dinner conversations eh!
The following is a discussion on how the English Premier League grabbed Mark by the "short and curlies" and refused to let go, why being a soccer fan is "un-American", how black soccer players will sooner or later have their own world-class role models and much more.
Nick Webster: When did you start supporting Arsenal?
Mark Riley: I was lucky enough to go to Highbury in 1998 when they were playing Sheffield Wednesday and was blown away by the movement, pace and excitement of the action. The players instinctively knew where they were on the field of play. The crowd was also incredible with a refuse-to-lose attitude that was infectious. Pretty soon I found myself elated when we won, depressed when we lost!
NW: Who are your favorite players?
MR: I really admire the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and of course Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. The way Henry can change pace while seemingly at top speed is like a wide receiver in the NFL and being a huge Oakland Raider fan, I know the NFL, while Patrick is a monster out on the pitch.
NW: Why does soccer still struggle for media recognition?
MR: What Americans like to see is packed stadiums and we're in a situation now where viewers see vast, empty stadiums. Why would you want to go in person to see a game at an empty stadium? What the sport needs is that "must see" cache and full stadiums provide that. We're also a society that thrives on instant gratification. Both basketball and the NFL are high-scoring while soccer has a reputation for being low scoring. However, some of the best games I've ever seen have had nil-nil score lines so it's just a case of people getting to access top-level soccer.
NW: Why is being a soccer fan portrayed in some parts of the media as being un-American?
MR: You have to look at the history of America. Participating in American sports helps you become American. Throwing a football or baseball, bouncing a basketball, our sports are built around the use of the hand, while in soccer only one player is allowed the use of his hands. By playing or watching soccer it's almost as though you're holding on to the old country, the country of your birth. There is almost a touch of xenophobia when it comes to soccer in this country.
NW: The top black athletes gravitate to the big three, football, baseball and basketball...why?
MR: Money is the key factor. From high school to college and then to the pros is the logical progression in most cases and the logical career. When you look at Freddy Adu, who is making $500,000 and is the best paid player in MLS, then compare him to a bench-warmer in the NBA who makes a minimum of $1,000,000. It's easy to see why kids move towards traditional American sports. However, we've seen the impact that Tiger Woods, Arthur Ashe and the Williams sisters have had on sports that you wouldn't usually associate with black athletes. Once the likes of Cobi Jones and Eddie Pope become part of the coaching ranks we'll start to see definite progress, as kids will want to play with these guys.
NW: What are some ideas you have for making soccer a better product in this country?
MR: What I'd like to see is relegation and promotion. MLS and the 'A' League should have an agreement whereby it's two up — two down. Epic relegation battles add so much vibrancy because it keeps the season alive, unlike baseball where you can be out of the running by mid-July. Soccer specific stadiums are a must and I think the next 15-20 years will see 25,000-seat stadiums spring up. We also have to do a better job of tapping into the ethnic fan bases that make up a hardcore base for teams around the country.
NW: Where do you watch soccer in New York City?
MR: With Fox Soccer Channel I don't have to go anywhere anymore but there are many bars around the city that open up at the crack of dawn to cater for these crazy fans. I went to Nevada Smith's for the 2002 Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea and couldn't believe the crowd. The place was packed, the atmosphere electrifying, everyone was singing.
NW: Thanks for your time and good luck with Air America.