MLS & NBC Sports have agreed on a 3-year deal

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by CenterForward, Aug 10, 2011.

  1. ScrappytheSeal4

    Jun 5, 2010
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The bolded part is true. The part before it is ridiculous. You don't turn on your TV to watch a soccer crowd. A soccer game? Sure. Not a soccer crowd.
     
  2. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    For those that think that the atmosphere at a game means nothing on tv, why does MLS and their tv partners target the games with big lively crowds to show on National TV? They obviously think it makes a difference in likely ways you are not even conceiving.

    For those that watch a Seattle or Portland game and say they can't even notice the crowd, I call bs.
     
  3. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It is not ridiculous for fans or potential fans to mention how cool the crowd looks or sounds especially if they are new fans.


    I have been watching for decades and if I see say Dortmund play at home it is still incredibly impressive and adds to the viewing experience.
     
  4. ScrappytheSeal4

    Jun 5, 2010
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Seattle and Portland games also have lots of Seattle and Portland fans that are guaranteed to watch. National TV games also tend to consist of New York and LA based teams. For instance, look at the matchup tomorrow on ESPN. Thanks for coming.
     
  5. ScrappytheSeal4

    Jun 5, 2010
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree. But then after that one sentence conversation occurs, the game is discussed/watched.

    On TV, the crowd doesn't matter that much. Presentation quality does. That can turn me away from a game. Not a New England crowd.
     
  6. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    All the production in the world can not fix a horrible crowd. It immediately tells the viewer the game is unimportant.


    IMO, it is much easier to give a game a chance when it looks like the crowd is into it rather than staying with a game where you can hear crickets chirping.
     
  7. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The first thing Garber asked the Dallas front office for their home opener on NBCSN was to get the game sold out.


    If you can't understand why big crowds are important on tv for reasons beyond ratings I don't know what else I can say. I can assure you the MLS front office realizes how important it is.
     
  8. ScrappytheSeal4

    Jun 5, 2010
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ...so selling tickets to generate revenue is important. Why do you guys change arguments on me so often? I'm done here. My point is clear and been stated in multiple ways. Go read it again if you don't get it.
     
  9. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You really think Garber went to the Dallas front office to make sure the first game on NBCSN was sold out was only revenue related and had nothing to do with how the game was going to look on tv?

    That is kind of silly when you think about it unless you are under the mistaken impression that Garber calls every front office every game to make sure they sell out.
     
  10. Twix1138

    Twix1138 Member

    Jul 9, 2010
    A good crowd can make a ****ty game seem exciting to the average joe. I don't know exactly why, but it just does.

    It may not matter to some people here, but to the more average soccer fan or possible converts, these things do matter.

    The supporters groups kind of give a rhythm to the game. The Union/Colorado game on NBC is a good example. The quality of play was a complete joke, but all the drums, chanting, music, etc....kind of overshadow it. Plus it pumps up the players, which in turn allows them to play better.

    Another important reason for big crowds/supporters groups, is that it gives the perception to a new viewer that this game is important and lots of people care about it (even if that is not exactly the case). Watching a Seattle game, you'd think MLS was as popular as the NFL. Some one who accidentally stumbles upon the game (maybe some hockey fans who had the channel on NBCSN) would keep watching the game due to curiosity stemming from the big support some MLS teams have.

    People want to fit in. If they see a game (any sport) and the stands are completely empty, they won't bother to watch it since no one else is watching it. They will feel like the minority watching this dead game.
     
  11. HailtotheKing

    HailtotheKing Member+

    San Antonio FC
    United States
    Dec 1, 2008
    TEXAS
    Club:
    San Antonio Scorpions FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No, that's not why you turn the match on but it can certainly be a part of why you turn it off.

    For instance, RIGHT NOW I'm watching the MTY/UAG match on Telefutura. You know what I'm seeing ? EXACT REASONS that MANY have posted about the MLS stadiums/crowds/fields that have caused them to be labeled "bush league/amateur looking/lower quality/etc" .... I see a full fledged track around the field, FOOTBALL LINES/NUMBERS, and large patches of empty seats at field level. <---- Many (including some in this very thread) have derided the MLS for these exact things. Why ? Because they look like shit on TV. It gives a perception of the league and teams playing that causes one to not actually pay attention to the on field product. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If it matters when it looks like shit, it matters when it's bad ass.

    Why do you think the NFL has teams tarp off the unsold upper decks ?
     
  12. atlantefc

    atlantefc Member

    Jul 18, 2006
    F*dabig4neveryleague
    Club:
    Charlton Athletic FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico
    Monterrey stadium is packed, great atmosphere and i dont see any am.football lines/numbers
     
  13. ElJefe

    ElJefe Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 16, 1999
    Colorful Colorado
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    At that point, I'm sure Doug Quinn rolled his eyes and thought "No shit, boss. We were gonna spend the next few months playing Freecell at our desks, but now that you said that, we'll get right on it."

    Or at least, that's what he should've done.
     
  14. HailtotheKing

    HailtotheKing Member+

    San Antonio FC
    United States
    Dec 1, 2008
    TEXAS
    Club:
    San Antonio Scorpions FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    corners had patches missing ... middle of camera view side filled in after 15 minutes of the match starting, was spotted at kick off

    and the 20yd lines were especially visible
     
  15. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    From an interview I read the first thing Quinn asked Garber was "what team will you give us?". Once he heard it was NY he felt confident in that he could sell out the stadium since they have normally done well with NY, which likely made the decision to place this game as the opener for NBCSN much easier for the league.

    http://www.bigdsoccer.com/2012/3/7/2853604/fc-dallas-gm-doug-quinn-discusses-opening-day-stadium
     
  16. atlantefc

    atlantefc Member

    Jul 18, 2006
    F*dabig4neveryleague
    Club:
    Charlton Athletic FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico

    Ok this is probably kinda silly of me but Monterrey always sell out El Tec, that was probably the away supporters section, i wouldnt be surpised if that was half empty since Estudiantes is a small club and don't have a big support

    min 1:00

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C27h6q-dALY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C27h6q-dALY[/ame]
     
  17. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Freecell??? What is this, 1996? Try Angry Birds. :D
     
  18. mntiburon

    mntiburon Member

    Jun 25, 2009
    Fairfax County, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What about 2 dimensional fans?

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703989304575503821229703834.html
     
  19. trip76

    trip76 Member

    Jul 17, 2007
    North East USA
    anyone who thinks lively crowds are meaningless might reevaluate that assertion after reading up a bit on some basic human psychology, and how groups influence individual perception.

    we are an extremely social animal, and are hugely influenced by feedback from the group around us. on tv, the group around us includes the crowd in the stand.

    why do you think sitcoms add laugh tracks?
     
  20. bbsbt

    bbsbt Member+

    Feb 26, 2003
    Very true.

    To sum it up in one word: Perception.
    In marketing, everything is about perception.
     
  21. bbsbt

    bbsbt Member+

    Feb 26, 2003
  22. JCUnited

    JCUnited Member

    Oct 7, 2002
    South Bend, IN
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    I love the big crowd atmosphere, definitely, but I also can enjoy a game with the tiny crowds of old.

    But I know I'm a rarity there. Most would not agree with me.

    I just love the sport. I love DC United and Manchester United, but can enjoy any game, regardless of the crowd.

    That being said, I think the crowds on NBC so far have only added to the game. MLS has been lucky thus far. ESPN too. Interested to see how the game today goes at Red Bull Arena.
     
  23. LongDuckDong

    LongDuckDong Member+

    Jan 26, 2011
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I assure you, luck has nothing to do with it.
     
  24. SYoshonis

    SYoshonis Member+

    Jun 8, 2000
    Lafayette, Louisiana
    Club:
    Michigan Bucks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You do understand the difference between the positions, "lively crowds are meaningless," and "lively crowds don't affect MLS's current TV ratings in any significant way," don't you? I want to make sure that any further discussion isn't a total waste of my time.
     
  25. trip76

    trip76 Member

    Jul 17, 2007
    North East USA
    yes, i understand the distinction, i just don't think "in any significant way" is fully correct.

    to improve ratings, we need to attract new fans. if a casual viewer switches over to an MLS match just to take a peek, do you believe he is more likely to watch say a seattle portland match, or a match with low attendance and little to no fan noise?

    which match do you think is more likely to motivate him to stop in on another match down the road?

    which path increases the chance of increased exposure which in turn increases the chance to create a proper new fan?
     

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