Soccer nuts have to pay up: Irish TV company makes bars charge fans $20 to watch Who ya calling a nut? He doesn't mention the bred and born Yanks like me who have (so far) dropped $100 or more to watch games.
It's absolutely freaking ridiculous. I planned on watching about 10-15 of the games and was even prepared to pay a nominal cover charge if necessary but a $20 spot per game is ****ing insane. And the quote, "No bar loses money on this," O'Rourke said. "How can you break even when you have 100 people in your bar?" is utter bull----. I watched the Brazil-England Quarterfinal two years ago in the World Cup and bar was so thoroughly stuffed to the rafters that you litterally couldn't get out of your seat (if you were lucky enough to have one) until half time. I stopped by two weeks ago and there were no more than 10-15 people total who came by to watch in the cordoned off Euro '04 banquet room. It's a shame.
They do it with the rugby too. It's ********e. I hate having to pick and choose rugby/soccer games to watch because of the huge cover charge.
A certain pub here in Seattle, I'm not going to mention names, either gave the finger to them, or actually worked something out with them and is only charging $10 for the live matches. They are charging $5 for the replays at night, I dont know if this has anything to do with it. Fox Sports World needs to grow some balls and spring for a tournament like this, do they not realize that they probably could sell a lot of advertising at half time and such, considering that, yes, a lot more people will watch it. Espn can afford the world cup, and even a few Champions league (they've been showing fewer matches the past few years I think). Just my two cents.
ESPN has the international rights to Champions League. That they only show a few matches is their fault.
Same in the DC area - PvP charges were $20-$25 a game depending on first rounds or later rounds - This was not a good way to promote soccer - I wish FSW had bought more games and showed them live for free - Even if they lost money on the deal, they would've gotten more people to watch more of their soccer games at other times of the year John L
I just returned from Canada and they showed all of the matches on TSN, which, while i'm not 100 per cent sure, looks to me like ESPN's Canadian venture. They use the same graphics and have Sportscentre (not er) . Why does Canada get the matches for free and we don't; we are more of a soccer nation than Canada.
That sure doesn't make much sense. Don't you show the game to get people into the pub in the first place?
TSN is indeed a ESPN canadian venture (they only own a part, but it's pretty much ESPN Jr with lots of hockey). As for having it free (that's only the tip of iceberg, we also get EPL free... no PPV ), head over to the Business and Media forum for the complete reason. It's pretty much that this event doesn't sell enough ads in the US. TSN had a lots of sponsors like Carlsberg and JVC that were backing the coverage. As for being more of a soccer nation than Canada, I disagree. All proportions kept (US population is about 10 time the canadian one), I believe more canadian follow soccer. How many cities in the US had to close streets due to Euro 2004 celebrations like we had in Montreal... Oh, and my sympathies on having to pay 20$ per game. What a ripoff...
"As for being more of a soccer nation than Canada, I disagree. All proportions kept (US population is about 10 time the canadian one), I believe more canadian follow soccer. How many cities in the US had to close streets due to Euro 2004 celebrations like we had in Montreal..." I agree with this post. I was in Montreal for the jazz fest and watched the last 3 games of the tournament at Champs on St. Laurent. I had to get there 3 hours in advance. After each game the streets were filled with fans, flags, and celebrations. Not too mention non-stop Greek vehicle cavalry with flags waving out their windows and honking their horns till 4 am. I have some videos that I will try to post eventually. THat's the type of atmosphere one should expect. Quote of the week was from some dumb-ass U.S. tourist in regards to why all the commotion (No disrespect b/c I'm from the States too). When told that there was a big 'football' match he interrupted and said: I didn't know MOntreal had a football team..is it tackle or tag-based?Get a clue!!! I checked NY POst and NY Times and other US papers during the competition and there was no mention of the EURO..just baseball. I checked the front page of a paper in MOntreal and voila You've got full articles and pictures and nice editorials. Pete
Why are they a dumbass, if someone would've said soccer then the Americans would fully understand. But that is sad that they don't know about CFL.
i was actually in montreal for the semifinal roud and the celebrating greeks were EVERYWHERE for hours. although the streets were blocked off, it was not because of soccer celebrations but instead an international jazz festival.