The 2020 MLS TV thread

Nothing outside America counts to most sports pundits.

 

Because nothing outside the US counts for most US sports viewers...

 

Sad but true. Not sure why Americans love to limit their sports world.

 

Because, compared to most countries, we have more than enough local sports on the TV to keep us entertained and thanks to our location geographically, sports in other countries are at odd hours.

 

Well aren't you patriotic today... Guess it is patriot day after all.

 

Honestly, I don't feel like I'm missing anything. There will be a new season some day that will be more normal.
It's nice outside!

 

Patriotism hasn’t nothing to do with it. Depending on where you live and how you count them, most Americans have access to between 4 and 6 “leagues” that are roughly as popular as the single popular “league” in other countries. In the case of 4 of those leagues, they have games happen almost every single night during their season. Not only that, but the games happen at an time of day that is convenient to them.

 

Let's remember that for about decades America and Canada only had 4 or 5 TV channels and foreign sports were not available, allowing domestic sports to grow in a vacuum. The only "foreign" events on TV I seem to remember were the Olympics, Wimbledon and the Open Championship.

Also following the sports TV revolution of the late 1960s American sports were profitable (except maybe baseball) and extremely well marketed.

Sports marketing barely existed in Europe until the late 90s and live games on TV was not a thing. I think NFL being shown live on British TV in the 1980s had showed people like Rick Parry and company what was possible.

 

You could say the same about foreigners who don’t embrace American football, MLS, etc.

 

CBS broadcast of NWSL match between North Carolina and Houston on Saturday averaged 370,000 viewers. Top-rated markets:

Tulsa
Dayton
Portland
Nashville
Greensboro
Buffalo
Norfolk
Memphis
Pittsburgh
Ft. Myers-Naples

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) September 15, 2020

 

NBC drew 1.53 million viewers across broadcast network, Telemundo and live stream for Liverpool vs Leeds -- most-watched match on Premier League opening weekend in U.S. history, NBC says.

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) September 15, 2020

 

FA WOMENS SUPER LEAGUE: ARSENAL/WEST HAMNBC SPORTS NETWORK
11:30 AM
100k

— Kevin | kotensixtysix.bsky.social (@koTenSixtySix) September 15, 2020

 

1.53m for two over the air live network broadcasts plus streaming? Not bad, but depending on the breakdown maybe not all that exciting.

 

Much more relevant than the math we do for MLS Cup, since both networks are NBC owned.

 

I've had some interest, but less than I expected considering lock down (Although I enjoyed the women's tennis final this weekend outside on the computer, with lunch and a beer; and, of course, the Rapids). Lack of crowds and stadium atmosphere make a big difference to me. MLS is Back was different and great, but now I'm ready for crowd noise and crowd shots. Also, lack of work place banter and bar banter make a difference. I'm not at a bar, after playing ball or whatever, and there's a game on; and someone cares, and the then you learn some plots, etc... And I'm fortunate, I still have a job, but I'm working at home. Slack chat does not replace walking past someone's desk and giving them sh*t about their team.

 

You work with people who give a shit about MLS? WTF.

 

I do as well.

 

Seattle is different lol. Here in L.A. I still get asked what I do for the team if I wear Galaxy gear. Meanwhile I've somehow worked with multiple Sounders season ticket holders even in L.A.

 

I live in Phoenix now. Tons of Rising fans and MLS fans from all over. Lots of freaking Timbers fans for some reason including my insurance broker.

 

I remember that at MLS Cup '05 in Dallas the 3 Rapids fans that were there (including me) drove down the tollway a bit and found some place to grab dinner after the game. Waiting in the restaurant lobby (Italian chain maybe?) the hostess asked us who the Rapids were, since we were wearing Rapids jerseys, and then when we explained asked if we played for them. Three 30-somethings that maybe didn't look out of shape (then) but we didn't exactly look fit either.

 

One thing I hate about this site is that it constantly reminds me how old I am.

 

Yeah, its true. LAFC gear is everywhere.

 

They knocked it out of the park with logo. I want one of their hats and I never wear another team's colors. My son plays for RSL and I wont wear any of the parents gear. Lol I wear Sounders stuff to his games sometimes.

 

youtube

Watching the Timbers army turned me on to MLS.