How well does soccer do when there are options?

American football is far and away the most popular (judging by profitability) sport in the U.S., even though far fewer games are played than in basketball, baseball or soccer. American football is rapidly becoming more popular in Mexico (NFL had an exhibition game last year in Mexico City and it was attended by over a 100,000 people) and Europe (NFL Europe) as well. I think that if the new president of the NFL can continue to market football like the last one, football will take off in a huge way in all the countries that currently are obsessed with soccer. It just is more entertaining to watch than soccer is (judging by the US, which has options to watch either one).

 

It's amazing that the Super Bowl comes that close to the World Cup final in viewership considering it's a North American sport.

I am not sure how well NFL Europe is doing. I always suspect it's ex-pats and US military in attendance. In Mexico I understand that it was the punts that were the big hits with the fans (punting is surrendering the ball with a long high kick to your opponent and is not a big deal here in the States although the run back can be good).

 

Tbarr why dont you start an anti football cult?

 

I am pro football, NFL, NCAA, Aussie Rules, Rugby, and Association Football. I even kinda like that French guy on Arsenal and I keep tabs on Aston V and the Hibs, the Magpies and the All Blacks.

 

Anti soccer then. You always seem to be questioning the popularity or something.
You watch hibs, dont you find the scottish leagues more boring there not really very good at all.

 

It is watched worldwide, though it tends to be a one off occasion, for the majority of people it's probably the only game they'll watch all year for the novelty of being able to stay up late and drink beer on a Sunday.

On the subject of NFL europe, as far as I know it's flopped big time. It was launched a quite a few years ago and got major TV coverage. It lasted a couple of seasons but I've not even seen it on the obsure sports channels since, I'm not even sure if it's still running and that's coming from a big all round sports fan.

 

You can tell NFL flopped over here when you have Colin Murray presenting it at like 2 am.

 

Is it still on? Is that the European league or the US league?

 

It was US nfl i think, sounded like American teams. European nfl is new to me never heard that mentioned before.

 

You must rember the London Monarchs, The Scottish Claymores Barcelona somthing or other

 

Rugby, League, and Soccer are the biggies in Australia.

 

Nope kinda reminds me of the london towers though, that crappy basketball team. Only really into football and boxing wouldnt have a clue about euro nfl, i bet it was crap though huh. Where you from in London anyway?

 

Yep - spot on!

I work in Hammersmith but live just outside Kingston

I don't need to ask where you're from judging by the avater

 

Where does Australian Rules Football rank?

 

I've been told by many Australians that the order of popularity is probably

Aussie Rules
Rugby League
Rugby Union
Football
Drinking beer and having BBQs

 

You probably spoke to a Melbournian. AFL gets big crowds but its only big in Melbourne. Also I would put drinking beer first in the order of popularity

 

All the 3 football codes are popular. I'm not big on AFL I dont really like the game, so couldn't really tell you. AFL is huge in Melbourne, it's like a Religion to them but every other State doesn't have much interest in it. Soccer definately has the most players taking it up. (even moreso now I would imagine with the result from the WC)

 

NFL Europe is alive and well and it's games are being televised in the states as well. Check out their official site at http://www.nfleurope.com/

 

I see the teams have changed a lot, they used to be spread all over Europe, now they are centred around Germany. I would guess most of the fans are US military.