Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ I think that is true, but it doesn't really mean much. Just as many view to check out the new ads and the halftime show as to see the game itself. Since most of the ads are now available on the internet... often even before the game, I haven't bothered with it in a couple of years now. Probably the only time I ever would is if the Vikings were in it. If you follow the NFL you know that has no chance of happening any time soon.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Isn't the Super Bowl the most viewed single game worldwide?<< Not even close. Almost a billion people watched the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final Match. The Super Bowl doesn't even reach 200 million. But that isn't surprising, as very few people watch it outside of North America.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Not even close. Almost a billion people watched the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final Match. The Super Bowl doesn't even reach 200 million. But that isn't surprising, as very few people watch it outside of North America.<<< Thanks for clarifying. I thought I read that somewhere. Football is getting more and more popular over here, but it's still not for me. I've seen a few college games in the US, but that's it. However I was surprised that college football was so popular, especially in Ohio with OSU. Over here Universities don't have sports and only the professional sports are watched. I read on THR that ESPN is doing very well with the World Cup. I guess Disney is not that happy about losing the rights to Fox Sports.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "I read on THR that ESPN is doing very well with the World Cup. I guess Disney is not that happy about losing the rights to Fox Sports." I'm not happy about it either. ESPN is doing a fantastic job and have been a part of soccer's growth here. Hopefully Fox will be pushed to meet that standard.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Most Americans I know don't like soccer because of the low scores or just because of lack of exposure. I have never met anyone who considered it effeminate. I think that the Super Bowl has become a social event. I have seen the last three only because of parties. Because the World Cup involves so many countries and takes place over so many days, I mentally compare it more to The Olympics that 1-5 final games in sports finals that only involve the United States. I'm impressed with the World Cup 2014 ratings and feel that the coverage is definitely improving. Some very poor US playing in that last game, but mostly looked strong. I'm concerned for Germany. Very excited about the game tomorrow! My family can't believe I'm a traitor!
Originally Posted By dagobert I'm rooting for the USA today, because the assistant is Austrian. And I'm sure winning over Germany helps to make soccer more popular in the US.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I have never met anyone who considered it effeminate.<< I have been told on more than one occasion that it is a "girl's sport", usually by American Football fans. My son played youth soccer. On more than one occasion I have witnessed strangers driving past the soccer pitch stop and yell slurs (usually of the homosexual variety) at the players.
Originally Posted By dagobert GO USA! >>>I have been told on more than one occasion that it is a "girl's sport", usually by American Football fans. My son played youth soccer. On more than one occasion I have witnessed strangers driving past the soccer pitch stop and yell slurs (usually of the homosexual variety) at the players. <<< There are so many stupid people out there. So I guess the majority of the world are girls, since we like that sport so much.
Originally Posted By fkurucz "There are so many stupid people out there." I think some of them feel threatened by the "foreign" sport. I hear people on a daily basis make fun of the World Cup and soccer and say things like "real sports require helmets". Even on the local news you can tell that some of the reporters are covering the World Cup grudgingly and can't wait for the Bronco's training camp to start. I've actually seen some make fun of the low scores and ties. Americans can't bear to see a game end in a draw. Someone HAS to win.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Congrats to team USA for qualifying for the second round, even though they played lousy against Germany. After the Portugal game, where they looked and played much better, today's game was a disappointment. Lucky for them Portugal beat Ghana.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Congrats to team USA for qualifying for the second round, even though they played lousy against Germany. After the Portugal game, where they looked and played much better, today's game was a disappointment. Lucky for them Portugal beat Ghana.<<< The game was disappointing, but so were all other last group games. The first two matches per group were quite good. I guess many player were tired, especially the European ones. Germany was also a disappointment yesterday.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Here is another "American" attitude towards soccer: It's a Marxist/Socialist/Communist sport. "The game was disappointing, but so were all other last group games." I thought Mexico and Brazil looked good in their final first round matches. Croatia and Cameroon ... not so much
