World Cup 2010 (spoilers inside of course)

[Vindingo]

He was trying to claim the NFL is the biggest and most watched sport in the world.

Boy, is he ever wrong.

Hate to admit to all those Americans, but Soccer (futbol) is probably the most watched team sport in the world.

(I suppose Cricket could be up there but based purely on the amount of people that live in India)

Your statement sparked my intrest so I did a search.  While there are no sources, the list doesn't seem that far off.  
Your "friend" the road pirate (please do explain) is pretty far off...

Most Frequently Cited Ranked Lists
1) Football: 3.3-3.5 billion fans (Europe, Africa, Asia, Americas, etc.)
2) Cricket: 2-3 billion fans (India, UK, Pakistan, Asia, Australia, etc.)
3) Field hockey: 2-2.2 billion fans (Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia)
4) Tennis: Around 1 billion fans (Europe, Americas, Asia)
5) Volleyball: Around 900 million fans (Asia, Europe, Americas, Australia)
6) Table tennis: Around 900 million fans (Asia, Europe, Africa, Americas)
7) Baseball: Around 500 million fans (US, Japan, Cuba, Dominican Republic)
Golf: Around 400 million fans (US, Canada, Europe)
9) Gridiron (American football): 390-410 million fans (US mainly)
10) Basketball: Not more than 400 million fans (US, Canada mainly)

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_most_popular_sport_in_the_world

[metallimonster]

I never said that soccer wasn't the most watched sport in the world simply stating that Football is the most popular sport in America. 

I completely understand what soccer and FIFA means to the world.  I was just aggreeing that in order for soccer to become bigger in America things would have to change.

[El Matador]

I never said that soccer wasn't the most watched sport in the world simply stating that Football is the most popular sport in America. 

I completely understand what soccer and FIFA means to the world.  I was just aggreeing that in order for soccer to become bigger in America things would have to change.

Ahhh yes, let's change the rules of the game 3.5 billion people watch to suit the 300 million Americans 


I actually do think that replay tech should be used, but your statement struck me as a little bit hilarious.

[Triple J]

Ahhh yes, let's change the rules of the game 3.5 billion people watch to suit the 300 million Americans  

He isn't saying that soccer should change...just that it would need to for American fans to become more interested on a larger scale. That's a fair statement...we have a different sports culture.

[cyrus buelton]

Your statement sparked my intrest so I did a search.  While there are no sources, the list doesn't seem that far off.  
Your "friend" the road pirate (please do explain) is pretty far off...

Most Frequently Cited Ranked Lists
1) Football: 3.3-3.5 billion fans (Europe, Africa, Asia, Americas, etc.)
2) Cricket: 2-3 billion fans (India, UK, Pakistan, Asia, Australia, etc.)
3) Field hockey: 2-2.2 billion fans (Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia)
4) Tennis: Around 1 billion fans (Europe, Americas, Asia)
5) Volleyball: Around 900 million fans (Asia, Europe, Americas, Australia)
6) Table tennis: Around 900 million fans (Asia, Europe, Africa, Americas)
7) Baseball: Around 500 million fans (US, Japan, Cuba, Dominican Republic)
Golf: Around 400 million fans (US, Canada, Europe)
9) Gridiron (American football): 390-410 million fans (US mainly)
10) Basketball: Not more than 400 million fans (US, Canada mainly)

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_most_popular_sport_in_the_world

<not aimed at you one bit. Personal self-feeding ego that keeps me alive and going thanks to Statler's diagnosis  )

As most think I spew shit from my fingers on my laptop, a lot of what I say is true.

In a thread like this, I wouldn't be spotty stats that I KNOW weren't true.

I am shocked at 3 and 4 though, but not 1 and 2. Soccer is the obvious #1, I suppose two could have gotten debatable,  but field hockey??? I never knew, but when I think back to the Olympics, I remember the Asian countries were always near the top equaling an area of the world with a huge population that fields such a leading team. I almost thought tennis would end up #3, but after reevaluating, I am not sure Tennis is that popular in India or China, two HUGE populations.

He isn't saying that soccer should change...just that it would need to for American fans to become more interested on a larger scale. That's a fair statement...we have a different sports culture.

That's never going to happen.

Why should the entire world change their culture of play just to "win" the American fan base?

It will never change. Period.

Soccer has been full of whiners, criers, babies, and bad calls since I started playing and watching it when I remember a size 5 ball went above my knee.


Yes, I was a crier, whiner, and actor. make the beast with two backsing worked well, though. I was a good player.

oh yeah for the non-soccer guys-

does me place kicking for 2 years count as playing Football? I had a few tackles.......I mean I got in their way and they hit me and fell. I could kick when of them fooseball's a long way.

I'd love to see a premiership or pick your favorite Euro "NFL" team and let them kick some field goals.

God help us they could be any worse than that douchebag american goalie several years ago. His name slips my mind.

[Triple J]

That's never going to happen.

Why should the entire world change their culture of play just to "win" the American fan base?

They shouldn't. Who cares if it isn't the #1 (or even #4) sport in America.

[cyrus buelton]

They shouldn't. Who cares if it isn't the #1 (or even #4) sport in America.

Nobody does.

Stemmed from a comment that the sport would have to change for American's to become interested.

Shit, there are already enough overpriced sports team jerseys floating around.........we don't need another.

[ungeheuer]

Nobody does.

Stemmed from a comment that the sport would have to change for American's to become interested.

I think you have that bass ackwards.  The comment seemed to me to be sayin that Americans would have to change for the sport to become more widely accepted (within America).

He isn't saying that soccer should change...just that it would need to for American fans to become more interested on a larger scale. That's a fair statement...we have a different sports culture.

Same in Australia too.

[metallimonster]

Look, I was just trying to play devil's advocate as someone who is a very casual soccer fan.  If FIFA and the World Cup wants America to watch and play more soccer they would have to change the rules. That is all I am saying.  Not saying that I THINK they should change.


Thanks Triple for the support.

[KnightofNi]

I'm not a casual fan and i think the rules should be changed. at least get some goal line tech.

FIFA needs to stop being scared of the present and get with the times. Yes, this will prove that their refs are fallible. just like everyone already knows. only the tech will help them do their job better.


I also agree to a point iwth metallimonster. though i believe it's more of a cultural change that is needed to get americans into the sport. there is a prevailing attitude towards soccer that it's "gay" or some commie euro sport. personally, i dont' care. i'll be waatching it even if we go back to the dark ages when you could only catch a game here or there on pbs or when you had to find the irish pub that paid a bajillion dollars to ahve a live feed and would open at 5am so you could watch games. i'll still enoy it and go back to being part of a cult instead of just a soccer fan. backto my point, until people stop treating the sport like the proverbial red headed stepchild then it won't grow very well. there have been huge strides even from 2006 to today. keep the kids playing the game and alolow them to continue to grow as great athletes that play soccer. eventually they will get good and move to europe, but they will be in the US talent pool and be called back for international games.

or i could just be talking out of my ass....yeah, that's prob it.