Baseball is probably the biggest "bandwagon" sport, considering how wildly a team's attendance and local TV ratings can fluctuate from year to year, based on performance. Much easier to commit to a long, drawn-out 162-game regular season when your team is winning, as opposed to being far out of the division race with 80+ games left to play.
While I agree that baseball fans are bandwagoners (guilty as charged), you're still implying that the support is conditional upon real time performance, when that isn't true. If that were the case, the examples he gave of biggest gainers and losers would be the opposite of what they are. It's been my experience that because of the 162 game season, baseball fans take longer to get on the bandwagon and are slower to jump off. If a team does poorly one season, they'll see a drop in attendance the next and even if they turn things around people will still not go and say to themselves "Sure, they are top of the division now, but wait until the losing streak starts". If a team does well the previous season, baseball fans will do the opposite and keep coming to games thinking they'll turn the season around because, after all, they were so good last year, how can they be this bad this season?
That seems consistent with the nature of the bandwagon effect in sports, though. The perception of any team's ability is necessarily based on past performance, regardless of sport. In baseball the previous season's record may have a stronger effect because MLB has both the most payroll inequality of all the major US leagues and until very recently the slowest roster turnover.
Wait a sec - The renovated BMO field only holds a little over 30K all in much better seats than what I sat in at Stub Hub a couple of weeks ago (I was surprised that over half of SHC seating was bleachers). There isn't that much standing room on the North Patio for an extra 10K. Was there a transcription error?
D'oh! That would explain it. Totally missed the MLB reference (I shouldn't read so fast). But this year the Blue Jays have still had really good attendance and I expect it to increase over last year.
Updating the 2015 - 2016 numbers for the NBA and the NHL. I still need to find the Playoff TV numbers for the NBA. 2015/16 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 15/16 68.2k 17.3m $4.9b (2012-2022) $2b (14/15) $2.11m (14/15) 114.4m MLB 30 2015 30.4k 73.8m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.2b (14/15) $4.25m (14/15) 14.7m (series avg) NBA 30 15/16 17.9k 22m $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) XX.Xm (series avg) NHL 30 15/16 17.6k 21.6m $600m* (2012-2022) $490m (14/15) $2.4m (13/14) 4.6m (series avg) MLS 20 2015 21.6k 7.3m $90m (2015-2022) $157m (2014) $207k (14/15) 1.2m^*$400m Canadian ^Includes ESPN Deportes, Univsion & Unimas 2014/15 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 14/15 68.3k 17.4m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.43b (13/14) $2m (13/14) 114.5m MLB 30 2014 30.3k 73.7m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.2b $4.25m 13.8m (series avg) NBA 30 14/15 17.8k 21.4m (13/14) $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) 20m (series avg) NHL 30 14/15 17.5k (13/14) 21.5m (13/14) $600m* (2012-2022) $490m $2.4m (13/14) 5.6m (series avg) MLS 20 2014 19.1k 6.2m $90m (2015-2022) $157m (2014) $207k 1.9m^*$400m Canadian ^Includes ESPN Deportes, Univsion & Unimas.[/COLOR] 2013/14 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 13/14 68k 17.3m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.43b $2m 111.5m MLB 30 2013 30.5k 74.0m $1.55b (2012-2021) $810.9m $3.9m 14.9m (series avg) NBA 30 13/14 17.4k 21.4m $930m (2012-2016) $634m $4.5m 15.5m (series avg) NHL 30 13/14 17.5k 21.5m $600m* (2012-2022) $413m (12/13) $2.4m 4.8m (series avg) MLS 19 2013 18.6k 6m $27m $103m (2012) $148k .5m*$400m Canadian 2012/13 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 12/13 67.6k 17.2m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.17b $1.9m 111.34m MLB 30 2012 30.8k 74.9m $1.55b (2012-2021) $605m $3.3m 12.7m (series avg) NBA 30 12/13 17.3k 21.3m $930m (2012-2016) $509m $5.5m (11/12) 10.4m (series avg) NHL 30 12/13 17.8k 22.2m $600m* (2012-2022) $413m $2.4m (11/12) 5.7m (series avg) MLS 19 2012 18.8k 6m $27m $103m $143k .8m*$400m Canadian 2011/12 SEASON - First Table: Posted March 2013 LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACTAvg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 11/12 67.4k 17.1m $4.9b (2012-2022) - - 108.4m MLB 30 2011 30.9k 73.4m $1.55b (2012-2021) - - 16.5m (series avg) NBA 30 11/12 17.3k 17.1m $930m (2012-2016) $393m $5.5m 16.2m (series avg) NHL 30 11/12 17.5k 21.5m $200m (2012-2022) - $2.4m 2.9m (series avg) MLS 19 2011 17.9k 5.5m $27m - - - 2003/04 SEASON - Added to see how far MLS has come LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTENDANCETOTAL ATTENDANCETV CONTRACT NFL 32 03/04 66.4k 17m - MLB 30 2004 30.6k over 70m - NBA 29 03/04 17.1k 21.8m - NHL 30 03/04 16.1k - $60m (2005) MLS 10 2004 15.6k 2.3m $0* * shared the advertising revenue with the Cable network
Wow.... never saw this coming.... I'm guessing this is an anomaly and will change but it is worth watching. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2016/10/19/roger-goodell-tv-ratings/92412704/ down 10% so far this year!
Time to add some of the 2016 numbers. And if you haven't seen this yet... MLS records banner year in 2016 cements position among top US pro sports leagues 2016/17 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 16/17 - - $4.9b (2012-2022) $2b (14/15) $2.11m (14/15) - MLB 30 2016 30.1k 73.2m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.3b $4.25m (2014) 22.8m (series avg) NBA 30 16/17 - - $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) - (series avg) NHL 30 16/17 - - $600m* (2012-2022) $490m (14/15) $2.4m (13/14) - (series avg) MLS 20 2016 21.7k 7.4m $90m (2015-2022) $185m (2016) $207k (2014) -^*$400m Canadian ^Includes ESPN Deportes, Univsion & Unimas[/COLOR] 2015/16 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 15/16 68.2k 17.3m $4.9b (2012-2022) $2b (14/15) $2.11m (14/15) 114.4m MLB 30 2015 30.4k 73.8m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.2b (2014) $4.25m (2014) 14.5m (series avg) NBA 30 15/16 17.9k 22m $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) XX.Xm (series avg) NHL 30 15/16 17.6k 21.6m $600m* (2012-2022) $490m (14/15) $2.4m (13/14) 4.6m (series avg) MLS 20 2015 21.6k 7.3m $90m (2015-2022) $157m (2014) $207k (2014) 1.2m^ *$400m Canadian ^Includes ESPN Deportes, Univsion & Unimas 2014/15 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 14/15 68.3k 17.4m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.43b (13/14) $2m (13/14) 114.5m MLB 30 2014 30.3k 73.7m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.2b $4.25m 13.8m (series avg) NBA 30 14/15 17.8k 21.4m (13/14) $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) 20m (series avg) NHL 30 14/15 17.5k (13/14) 21.5m (13/14) $600m* (2012-2022) $490m $2.4m (13/14) 5.6m (series avg) MLS 20 2014 19.1k 6.2m $90m (2015-2022) $157m (2014) $207k 1.9m^*$400m Canadian ^Includes ESPN Deportes, Univsion & Unimas.[/COLOR] 2013/14 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 13/14 68k 17.3m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.43b $2m 111.5m MLB 30 2013 30.5k 74.0m $1.55b (2012-2021) $810.9m $3.9m 14.9m (series avg) NBA 30 13/14 17.4k 21.4m $930m (2012-2016) $634m $4.5m 15.5m (series avg) NHL 30 13/14 17.5k 21.5m $600m* (2012-2022) $413m (12/13) $2.4m 4.8m (series avg) MLS 19 2013 18.6k 6m $27m $103m (2012) $148k .5m*$400m Canadian 2012/13 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 12/13 67.6k 17.2m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.17b $1.9m 111.34m MLB 30 2012 30.8k 74.9m $1.55b (2012-2021) $605m $3.3m 12.7m (series avg) NBA 30 12/13 17.3k 21.3m $930m (2012-2016) $509m $5.5m (11/12) 10.4m (series avg) NHL 30 12/13 17.8k 22.2m $600m* (2012-2022) $413m $2.4m (11/12) 5.7m (series avg) MLS 19 2012 18.8k 6m $27m $103m $143k .8m*$400m Canadian 2011/12 SEASON - First Table: Posted March 2013 LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACTAvg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 11/12 67.4k 17.1m $4.9b (2012-2022) - - 108.4m MLB 30 2011 30.9k 73.4m $1.55b (2012-2021) - - 16.5m (series avg) NBA 30 11/12 17.3k 17.1m $930m (2012-2016) $393m $5.5m 16.2m (series avg) NHL 30 11/12 17.5k 21.5m $200m (2012-2022) - $2.4m 2.9m (series avg) MLS 19 2011 17.9k 5.5m $27m - - - 2003/04 SEASON - Added to see how far MLS has come LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTENDANCETOTAL ATTENDANCETV CONTRACT NFL 32 03/04 66.4k 17m - MLB 30 2004 30.6k over 70m - NBA 29 03/04 17.1k 21.8m - NHL 30 03/04 16.1k 20.3m$60m (2005) MLS 10 2004 15.6k 2.3m $0* * shared the advertising revenue with the Cable network
The 2016 NBA Finals averaged 20.28 million. From wikipedia, but the individual game numbers are sourced from there.
Added in 2016 MLS playoff numbers 2016/17 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 16/17 - - $4.9b (2012-2022) $2b (14/15) $2.11m (14/15) - MLB 30 2016 30.1k 73.2m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.3b $4.25m (2014) 22.8m (series avg) NBA 30 16/17 - - $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) - (series avg) NHL 30 16/17 - - $600m* (2012-2022) $490m (14/15) $2.4m (13/14) - (series avg) MLS 20 2016 21.7k 7.4m $90m (2015-2022) $185m (2016) $207k (2014) 3.5^*$400m Canadian ^Includes Univsion Deportes and Canadian (2.1m total)[/COLOR] 2015/16 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 15/16 68.2k 17.3m $4.9b (2012-2022) $2b (14/15) $2.11m (14/15) 114.4m MLB 30 2015 30.4k 73.8m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.2b (2014) $4.25m (2014) 14.5m (series avg) NBA 30 15/16 17.9k 22m $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) 20.28m (series avg) NHL 30 15/16 17.6k 21.6m $600m* (2012-2022) $490m (14/15) $2.4m (13/14) 4.6m (series avg) MLS 20 2015 21.6k 7.3m $90m (2015-2022) $157m (2014) $207k (2014) 1.2m^ *$400m Canadian ^Includes ESPN Deportes, Univsion & Unimas 2014/15 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 14/15 68.3k 17.4m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.43b (13/14) $2m (13/14) 114.5m MLB 30 2014 30.3k 73.7m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.2b $4.25m 13.8m (series avg) NBA 30 14/15 17.8k 21.4m (13/14) $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) 20m (series avg) NHL 30 14/15 17.5k (13/14) 21.5m (13/14) $600m* (2012-2022) $490m $2.4m (13/14) 5.6m (series avg) MLS 20 2014 19.1k 6.2m $90m (2015-2022) $157m (2014) $207k 1.9m^*$400m Canadian ^Includes ESPN Deportes, Univsion & Unimas.[/COLOR] 2013/14 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 13/14 68k 17.3m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.43b $2m 111.5m MLB 30 2013 30.5k 74.0m $1.55b (2012-2021) $810.9m $3.9m 14.9m (series avg) NBA 30 13/14 17.4k 21.4m $930m (2012-2016) $634m $4.5m 15.5m (series avg) NHL 30 13/14 17.5k 21.5m $600m* (2012-2022) $413m (12/13) $2.4m 4.8m (series avg) MLS 19 2013 18.6k 6m $27m $103m (2012) $148k .5m*$400m Canadian 2012/13 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 12/13 67.6k 17.2m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.17b $1.9m 111.34m MLB 30 2012 30.8k 74.9m $1.55b (2012-2021) $605m $3.3m 12.7m (series avg) NBA 30 12/13 17.3k 21.3m $930m (2012-2016) $509m $5.5m (11/12) 10.4m (series avg) NHL 30 12/13 17.8k 22.2m $600m* (2012-2022) $413m $2.4m (11/12) 5.7m (series avg) MLS 19 2012 18.8k 6m $27m $103m $143k .8m*$400m Canadian 2011/12 SEASON - First Table: Posted March 2013 LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACTAvg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 11/12 67.4k 17.1m $4.9b (2012-2022) - - 108.4m MLB 30 2011 30.9k 73.4m $1.55b (2012-2021) - - 16.5m (series avg) NBA 30 11/12 17.3k 17.1m $930m (2012-2016) $393m $5.5m 16.2m (series avg) NHL 30 11/12 17.5k 21.5m $200m (2012-2022) - $2.4m 2.9m (series avg) MLS 19 2011 17.9k 5.5m $27m - - - 2003/04 SEASON - Added to see how far MLS has come LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTENDANCETOTAL ATTENDANCETV CONTRACT NFL 32 03/04 66.4k 17m - MLB 30 2004 30.6k over 70m - NBA 29 03/04 17.1k 21.8m - NHL 30 03/04 16.1k 20.3m$60m (2005) MLS 10 2004 15.6k 2.3m $0* * shared the advertising revenue with the Cable network
Moderators... @KCbus @edwardgr @Ismitje I think this thread might be in the wrong location. The "You be the Don" section is for brainstorming how to make the league better. And this thread is more about compiling facts and info to track the growth of the actual league. I am wondering if this thread should be in the MLS general area?
Updated the NFL numbers... 2016/17 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 16/17 69.5k 17.8m $4.9b (2012-2022) $2b (14/15) $2.11m (14/15) 111.3m MLB 30 2016 30.1k 73.2m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.3b $4.25m (2014) 22.8m (series avg) NBA 30 16/17 - - $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) - (series avg) NHL 30 16/17 - - $600m* (2012-2022) $490m (14/15) $2.4m (13/14) - (series avg) MLS 20 2016 21.7k 7.4m $90m (2015-2022) $185m (2016) $207k (2014) 3.5^*$400m Canadian ^Includes Univsion Deportes and Canadian (2.1m total)[/COLOR] 2015/16 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 15/16 68.2k 17.3m $4.9b (2012-2022) $2b (14/15) $2.11m (14/15) 111.9m MLB 30 2015 30.4k 73.8m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.2b (2014) $4.25m (2014) 14.5m (series avg) NBA 30 15/16 17.9k 22m $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) 20.28m (series avg) NHL 30 15/16 17.6k 21.6m $600m* (2012-2022) $490m (14/15) $2.4m (13/14) 4.6m (series avg) MLS 20 2015 21.6k 7.3m $90m (2015-2022) $157m (2014) $207k (2014) 1.2m^ *$400m Canadian ^Includes ESPN Deportes, Univsion & Unimas 2014/15 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 14/15 68.3k 17.4m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.43b (13/14) $2m (13/14) 114.4m MLB 30 2014 30.3k 73.7m $1.55b (2012-2021) $1.2b $4.25m 13.8m (series avg) NBA 30 14/15 17.8k 21.4m (13/14) $2.67b (2015-2025) $634m (13/14) $4.5m (13/14) 20m (series avg) NHL 30 14/15 17.5k (13/14) 21.5m (13/14) $600m* (2012-2022) $490m $2.4m (13/14) 5.6m (series avg) MLS 20 2014 19.1k 6.2m $90m (2015-2022) $157m (2014) $207k 1.9m^*$400m Canadian ^Includes ESPN Deportes, Univsion & Unimas.[/COLOR] 2013/14 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 13/14 68k 17.3m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.43b $2m 112.2m MLB 30 2013 30.5k 74.0m $1.55b (2012-2021) $810.9m $3.9m 14.9m (series avg) NBA 30 13/14 17.4k 21.4m $930m (2012-2016) $634m $4.5m 15.5m (series avg) NHL 30 13/14 17.5k 21.5m $600m* (2012-2022) $413m (12/13) $2.4m 4.8m (series avg) MLS 19 2013 18.6k 6m $27m $103m (2012) $148k .5m*$400m Canadian 2012/13 SEASON LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACT Avg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 12/13 67.6k 17.2m $4.9b (2012-2022) $1.17b $1.9m 108.7m MLB 30 2012 30.8k 74.9m $1.55b (2012-2021) $605m $3.3m 12.7m (series avg) NBA 30 12/13 17.3k 21.3m $930m (2012-2016) $509m $5.5m (11/12) 10.4m (series avg) NHL 30 12/13 17.8k 22.2m $600m* (2012-2022) $413m $2.4m (11/12) 5.7m (series avg) MLS 19 2012 18.8k 6m $27m $103m $143k .8m*$400m Canadian 2011/12 SEASON - First Table: Posted March 2013 LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTEND.TOTAL ATTEND.TV CONTRACTAvg TEAM VALUE Avg SALARYCHMPSHIP TV VIEWERS NFL 32 11/12 67.4k 17.1m $4.9b (2012-2022) - - 111.3m MLB 30 2011 30.9k 73.4m $1.55b (2012-2021) - - 16.5m (series avg) NBA 30 11/12 17.3k 17.1m $930m (2012-2016) $393m $5.5m 16.2m (series avg) NHL 30 11/12 17.5k 21.5m $200m (2012-2022) - $2.4m 2.9m (series avg) MLS 19 2011 17.9k 5.5m $27m - - - 2003/04 SEASON - Added to see how far MLS has come LEAGUETEAMSYEARAvg ATTENDANCETOTAL ATTENDANCETV CONTRACT NFL 32 03/04 66.4k 17m - MLB 30 2004 30.6k over 70m - NBA 29 03/04 17.1k 21.8m - NHL 30 03/04 16.1k 20.3m$60m (2005) MLS 10 2004 15.6k 2.3m $0* * shared the advertising revenue with the Cable network
When it comes to team sports, we think of the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. When will MLS break into that group? FourFourTwo
Maybe MLS teams who are struggling for media attention should think about buying air time and newspaper copy. Or we could just wait ten years until the Millennials take over the media.
Before I read, can I make the obligatory comment on they are missing NCAA Football and Basketball. They may be "amateur" but they make a shit lot of money. I mean by some metrics, isn't NCAA Football the second biggest team sport "league" in the USA?
Changing a bit to NWSL, this is the difficulty, 25Million people watched the US Women's team in the World cup, yet the NWSL struggles to stay afloat. Women sports is already a hard sell, women soccer outside big events is even harder.
I believe when OCSC was moving to MLS, before the first season, they made a big push to be on alot of the major radio stations. Coach and the president would do weekly call ins before hand. Even as the season went on they would check in on several of the stations and talk OCSC. I dont know if they still pay to be on some of those stations, but I know OCSC gets talked about on at least 2 of the sports stations (we have 4). That talk actually seems pretty organic vs the slated times when they would talk OCSC before. I think you are right. All MLS teams should be doing this.
It should also be common sense to those with any perspective on the matter. Frankly there is no silver bullet or magic switch. Barring something extraordinary MLS simply needs to bide its time and continue its slow progress and eventually it will at least match the NHL in terms of media revenues and viewership support. It has too many additional resources to aid its climb in this regard. But it will take time for all these things to grow into form, as with each new generation fans familiar with the league rise into prominence and older sports fans not connected with the league pass on.
Portland could be gouging their supporters and still get full stadiums but the fact that they're not makes me think they're confident in their finances. Seattle's entire payroll is only 15% of revenue, so surely they must be raking it. New York City are living virtually rent free and selling 27,000 tickets (maybe 25 without freebies) a game, which is 5,000 more than they originally budgeted. They must have saved a a few million in DP salaries by replacing Lampard with Maximiliano Moralez. Toronto and LA Galaxy have unexpected guests who are happy to pay them rent and Galaxy seem hell bent on reducing their payroll. There will be four brand spanking new stadiums by the end of 2018, plus Mercedes-Benz. Atlanta have knocked the soccer ball out of the park (throw-in to the opposition). MLS has the 22nd highest payroll per club but the 6th largest attendances and expansion teams have paid over $700 million since 2012 in expansion fees. I can't see how MLS can still be losingmoney. Either they're investing it or Garber is fos. Sunderland are paying out $100 million a year in salaries, FC Dallas un $6 million. I bet Dallas could kick Sunderland's butt. Which thread is this? They're starting to all look the same. Le curling.