The Black Hole of Sports

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Baseball is dying*.

 

[zyron]

Why would people watch the World Cup if they don't like soccer?

I watched a couple of the U.S. games and I hate soccer. It's a once in a four year event and the U.S. team was supposed to be decent (I think, I don't know anything about soccer but what I heard). The same reason people watch the Olympics and cheer for the U.S. in Curling.

 

[whaler11]

It's weird to me how people have grudges against sports or leagues.

If the NBA disbanded tomorrow I wouldn't care but I understand other people like it.

 

[superjohn]

Yes, dying would be a better description. The fanbase is also dying off, something needs to be done because young people and especially young black people who are the cultural trendsetters don't give a sh_t about baseball.

 

[selles]

It's weird to me how people have grudges against sports or leagues.

Completely agree with this. Particularly don't understand the soccer vs. baseball thing. As for the whole 'baseball is dying' thing - MLB keeps setting revenue records annually so....

 

[superjohn]

I watched a couple of the U.S. games and I hate soccer. It's a once in a four year event and the U.S. team was supposed to be decent (I think, I don't know anything about soccer but what I heard). The same reason people watch the Olympics and cheer for the U.S. in Curling.

This is incredibly silly, you might treat soccer the same as curling but I can assure you the rest of the country doesn't.

 

[zyron]

Yes, dying would be a better description. The fanbase is also dying off, something needs to be done because young people and especially young black people who are the cultural trendsetters don't give a sh_t about baseball.

I agree, it is an issue facing baseball, but they aren't going to NHL or soccer.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

I watched a couple of the U.S. games and I hate soccer. It's a once in a four year event and the U.S. team was supposed to be decent (I think, I don't know anything about soccer but what I heard). The same reason people watch the Olympics and cheer for the U.S. in Curling.

Ok that's fair. You can hate soccer too, but don't be blind to the fact that soccer is on the rise and baseball is declining in terms of general interest among newer generations. Just look at how many people on this board are saying they hate/have lost interest in baseball in the last decade-ish.

Soccer is the number one sport in the world (4% of the world's population are actively involved in soccer), and the USA is SLOWLY being engulfed by that similar interest.

 

[whaler11]

Completely agree with this. Particularly don't understand the soccer vs. baseball thing. As for the whole 'baseball is dying' thing - MLB keeps setting revenue records annually so....

Ironic a growing demographic likes both.

 

[zyron]

This is incredibly silly, you might treat soccer the same as curling but I can assure you the rest of the country doesn't.

Have you seen the recent MLS record TV ratings? When getting 240,000 -260,000 people watching is looked at as great in a country of 320 million, what would be considered bad?

 

[OkaForPrez]

@zyron I used to watch a lot of the sox, I watch maybe a handful of games a year now. I haven't missed a USMNT match since 2013 and that's started me taking an interest in Premier League. I'm just one person, but soccer has absolutely surpassed baseball (for me) in the last 5 years.

 

[superjohn]

I agree, it is an issue facing baseball, but they aren't going to NHL or soccer.

I agree with that.

 

[whaler11]

Yeah i wouldn't judge soccer on MLS ratings.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Have you seen the recent MLS record TV ratings? When getting 240,000 -260,000 people watching is looked at as great in a country of 320 million, what would be considered bad?

It's not the number that matters. It's the fact that it's increasing. MLS has reached more TV deals lately (ESPN and FOX), more international players are signing, more expansion franchises.

Also, do you realize that this past season, NBC had better English Premier League viewership than NHL on average?

 

[superjohn]

Have you seen the recent MLS record TV ratings? When getting 240,000 -260,000 people watching is looked at as great in a country of 320 million, what would be considered bad?

I only have one friend who watches MLS, I have a bunch of friends who are obsessed with Premier League and La Liga.

 

[superjohn]

It's not the number that matters. It's the fact that it's increasing. MLS has reached more TV deals lately (ESPN and FOX), more international players are signing, more expansion franchises.

Also, do you realize that this past season, NBC had better English Premier League viewership than NHL on average?

If the MLS ever got the amount of talent and star players as the top leagues in the world I have no doubt it would be huge over here.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Have you seen the recent MLS record TV ratings? When getting 240,000 -260,000 people watching is looked at as great in a country of 320 million, what would be considered bad?

The MLS is increasing in viewership even though it is not even close to the best leagues in the world. There are atleast 7 leagues in the world that are better than MLS. Compared to-
NHL -#1 hockey league in the world
NBA- #1 Basketball league
MLB- #1 baseball
and obviously NFL is #1 too.

 

[B1GEast]

June is the beginning of fantasy football magazine reading, Lindy's annual just came out

 

[huskyniner]

The answer to this thread:

http://uconnhuskygames.com/

 

[BUHusky]

I'm a diehard Fed fan and I can admit it's just not the same without Nadal at the top of his game. His play style seems to be taking the inevitable physical toll on his body.
Murray is playing some of the best tennis of his career, and he'll be back at home with the crowd behind him. Plus Fed's got to realize he doesn't have too many chances left, and Wimbledon seems to always be his best shot. Then again, Djokovic is at the top of his game, and Stan has been playing great tennis for, really, at least 2 years now. Just so many storylines.

Yeah, unfortunately it seems like Rafa's grinding style is finally catching up with him. We all knew it would happen eventually. That said, I still think he's got one at least one more trademark Nadal comeback left in the tank. He's in the process of changing his racquet and hopefully some tactical changes as well. I wouldn't write him off just yet.

As for Fed, I think it's Wimbledon or nothing at this point, especially with his newly discovered serve and volley game since Edberg came aboard. I thought he had it last year, especially after forcing that 5th set. Alas...

While Murray is playing the best tennis of career outside his '12-'13 run, he's still Andy Murray. And that means he will almost always fold like a chair when playing the Big 3 in a major. I will say I was shocked he actually forced a 5th set after going down 0-2 in the French semis, but he predictably folded in the 5th. Outside of that '12-'13 run he still doesn't have the answers against the Big 3.

I think of anyone on the tour right now Stan actually presents the most problems for Djoker. Stan's flat and hard ground strokes (from both sides) are just brutal, as we saw at Roland Garros. They've played 5 times in majors the last few years and the first 4 meeting were all 5 set epics. When they play it's must see tennis. Can't wait for Wimby.

Ok tennis rant over.

 

[selles]

Ironic a growing demographic likes both.

Exactly right, and that's why both are in fine shape.

 

[FartMan69]

The baseball is dying narrative has been said quite a few times in the leagues history. It's endured these ups and downs for 160 years. It's not dying. Unless they want to pack it in despite record revenues.

 

[BUHusky]

Yeah i wouldn't judge soccer on MLS ratings.

This. MLS has made huge strides over the years, but it is still nowhere close to top tier soccer. You can't judge soccer's popularity on MLS ratings.

 

[superjohn]

Yeah, unfortunately it seems like Rafa's grinding style is finally catching up with him. We all knew it would happen eventually. That said, I still think he's got one at least one more trademark Nadal comeback left in the tank. He's in the process of changing his racquet and hopefully some tactical changes as well. I wouldn't write him off just yet.

As for Fed, I think it's Wimbledon or nothing at this point, especially with his newly discovered serve and volley game since Edberg came aboard. I thought he had it last year, especially after forcing that 5th set. Alas...

While Murray is playing the best tennis of career outside his '12-'13 run, he's still Andy Murray. And that means he will almost always fold like a chair when playing the Big 3 in a major. I will say I was shocked he actually forced a 5th set after going down 0-2 in the French semis, but he predictably folded in the 5th. Outside of that '12-'13 run he still doesn't have the answers against the Big 3.

I think of anyone on the tour right now Stan actually presents the most problems for Djoker. Stan's flat and hard ground strokes (from both sides) are just brutal, as we saw at Roland Garros. They've played 5 times in majors the last few years and the first 4 meeting were all 5 set epics. When they play it's must see tennis. Can't wait for Wimby.

Ok tennis rant over.

Well Stan just took away a French Open title from Djoker and a chance at the US Open title last year.

 

[BUHusky]

Well Stan just took away a French Open title from Djoker and a chance at the US Open title last year.

Actually Nishikori beat Djoker in last year's US Open semis. Stan beat Djoker in last year's Aussie Open quarters on his way to the title.