Interesting info about Atlanta soccer in WSJ

[SoccerPrime]

I was looking at the Weekend section of the WSJ and there was a small graphic about soccer in it.

It showed the top markets for UEFA Champions League viewership (Neilsen Ratings)in the US. No. #3 was Atlanta. And of the 6(?) markets showed, only Atlanta didn't have a MLS team.

Thats encouraging for you Atlanta MLS fans, because you know ESPN and MLS take notice of those numbers why they try to push new markets.

Anyway, I thought it might be of interest to this forum.

[gosh1976]

thanks! that's interesting I seem to recall an article in the ajc about the World Cup final this summer being the most "watched event in the Atlanta area beating out a Nascar race, a Braves game, and Law & Order."

beating out a nascar race in the atlanta area has to be something of note

[tobee]

If an MLS team came to Atlanta, it would be just like Toronto. The Lynx drew 1,000 fans a game and the new MLS team sold over 14,000 season tickets. They had to cut the season ticket sales off. Atlanta is a true international city and a major league team would thrive here. I think the Silverbacks management knows that and is pointing toward an MLS frinchise here in the future.

[chlaga]

[QUOTE=tobee;11316685]If an MLS team came to Atlanta, it would be just like Toronto. The Lynx drew 1,000 fans a game and the new MLS team sold over 14,000 season tickets. They had to cut the season ticket sales off. QUOTE]

I have thought the same for Atlanta. I think people here want pro level not AAA type stuff. Done right I think and Atlanta MLS franchise would draw pretty well.

[Eleven Bravo]

do you have a link for this?

[SoccerPrime]

Sorry no online version I can find. It was just a stand-alone graphic in the Friday, Apr.20th edition, in the Weekend section.

Maybe someone else can find it.
http://online.wsj.com/public/page/leisure_weekend.html?mod=1_0051

[BigKahuna]

Very interesting...thanks for the find, SoccerPrime.