[bobbyake]

This is very good news for all soccer in the US.

"MLS merchandise sales increased 35 percent this year, when the league's regular-season attendance rose 7 percent to a record 17,872. The league's average viewers for telecasts on ESPN and ESPN2 rose 16 percent to 311,000, according to Nielsen Media Research, and viewers on Fox Soccer Channel increased 26 percent to an average of 70,000. For Spanish-language broadcasts on Telefutura, viewers increased 10 percent to an average of 233,000."
Source MLS commissioner Don Garber

[bobbyake]

With soccer passing the NBA in attendance, it would be interesting to compare the current trends of the MLS with the MLB, NHL, and NFL. Maybe I'll start collecting data if I have any free time.

[trimmy10]

Impressive.

[bobbyake]

posted this in another thread, but it's relevant to this one:





also, MLS overtakes NBA for 3rd place behind the NFL & MLB.

[Zipmeister]

And now many of the players have 8 digit salaries (including the two digits after the .)

[bobbyake]

And now many of the players have 8 digit salaries (including the two digits after the .)

there are a few Zips players making good $$ in the MLS

[RootforRoo44]

I think another thing to add about these attendance figures is that many of these teams are at or near capacity for these season averages. Some places (like Portland) will see a rise in attendance with the building of a new soccer specific stadium.

The sport is really growing. It's too bad we don't have a pro team here (other than the Zips lol).

[bobbyake]

I think another thing to add about these attendance figures is that many of these teams are at or near capacity for these season averages. Some places (like Portland) will see a rise in attendance with the building of a new soccer specific stadium.

The sport is really growing. It's too bad we don't have a pro team here (other than the Zips lol).

Portland already moved into their stadium. I think you mean Houston. Montreal should add a good boost.

[bobbyake]

Montreal's new stadium will hold 20,341 which should sell out for the entire season.

[RootforRoo44]

I think another thing to add about these attendance figures is that many of these teams are at or near capacity for these season averages. Some places (like Portland) will see a rise in attendance with the building of a new soccer specific stadium.

The sport is really growing. It's too bad we don't have a pro team here (other than the Zips lol).

Portland already moved into their stadium. I think you mean Houston. Montreal should add a good boost.

Yes, meant to say Houston...Portland for some reason was on my mind with that old minor league stadium.

[bobbyake]

American's don't care about soccer?

[bobbyake]

Attendance is overall up this year, if I had the time, I'd do a better comparison that compared games for the same time period.

Team Attendance Capacity Percent Full Last Year's Average Attendance
Chicago Fire 18,075 20,000 90.38% 14,274
Chivas USA 11,853 18,800 63.05% 14,830
Colorado Rapids 13,949 18,086 77.13% 14,838
Columbus Crew 14,857 20,145 73.75% 12,185
DC United 15,045 19,467 77.28% 15,211
FC Dallas 14,717 20,500 71.19% 12,861
Houston Dynamo 22,000 % 17,694
Los Angeles Galaxy 22,263 27,000 82.46% 23,335
Montreal Impact 41,016 20,341 201.64% ---
NE Revolution 12,925 20,000 64.63% 13,222
New York Red Bulls 17,220 25,000 68.88% 19,691
Philadelphia Union 18,132 18,500 98.01% 18,258
Portland Timbers 20,438 20,438 100.00% 18,827
Real Salt Lake 18,554 20,213 91.79% 17,594
San Jose Earthquakes 14,289 10,525 135.76% 11,858
Seattle Sounders 38,438 38,500 99.84% 38,495
Sporting Kansas City 18,420 18,467 99.75% 17,810
Toronto FC 19,507 21,140 92.28% 20,267
Vancouver Whitecaps 20,197 21,000 96.18% 20,406
Average 19,576 21,059 92.96% 17,870

It looks like Atlanta is going to give Orlando some competition for the #20 expansion spot. NASL Opening Weekend Attendance Rises From 2011

[johnnyzip84]

It looks like Atlanta is going to give Orlando some competition for the #20 expansion spot. NASL Opening Weekend Attendance Rises From 2011

I wouldn't count out another New York franchise (Cosmos?) either.

[Yaznasty]

I wouldn't count out another New York franchise (Cosmos?) either.

Don Garber has made it pretty clear he is committed to making NY2 the 20th team. He has visited other cities and met with supporter groups, but I just get the impression that he really wants a second New York team and any other city would just be potential expansion after that in a few years. I would like to see a team in the southeast somewhere since that are has no teams.

[bobbyake]

So far, the NBC deal with the MLS is working out well

MLS on NBC Sports Doing Good, Not Historic, TV Ratings Thus Far

Averaging 106k per game, beating Fox Soccer's coverage by 55%. A 100k average is their goal for the year.

If the MLS continues to do well on NBC Sports, maybe they'll consider showing college soccer games? It sucks to watch the NCAA tournament only through a university provided stream.