Dimantha Andrahennady ’14
In the past month, Major League Soccer (MLS) has overtaken the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) to become the third most attended sport in the US. The only two sports with a higher average attendance rate are Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL). The MLS, formed in 1996, is quite young compared to other professional sports leagues such as the NFL, which has existed since 1920. According to David Knox, Head Coach of Boys’ Soccer at Episcopal, “MLS is a fantastic national brand that has roots here in the area through the Philadelphia Union. In only its second year, the Union managed to make the play-offs.” This Union team has also attempted to establish itself as a part of the local community. Knox said, “The Episcopal Academy is in partnership with the Union, as EA is a sight for their Soccer School, which started last summer.” Knox believes part of the reason the attendance has grown so significantly is because, “the product that the teams are putting on the pitch is skilled, athletic and fun to watch. The game of soccer is easy to understand and most people have played the game at some time in their life.”
Another factor that has contributed to the rise in attendance is increasing number of popular European players that have come to the States to play for MLS teams. The most well known player to do this is David Beckham, who left Real Madrid to come to the L.A. Galaxy. Beckham was the first European player to do this, and has been critical to the rise of the MLS. Don Garber, MLS commissioner, praised Beckham for transfer to the MLS saying, “MLS wouldn’t be what it is today if David didn’t decide to come.”
The MLS also draws fans with its wide variety of nationalities. The players in the MLS come from 60 different nations, and 16 percent of the players are Latino, gaining the support of Latinos, who make up a third of the MLS fan base.
The MLS looks to continue this growth, having also increased in TV ratings and views this year. Because of their success, they have secured television deals with ESPN and FOX. 2012 will see further expansion of the MLS as another team, the Montreal Impact, will be added to the league. The league is also considering forming a second team in New York, as well as possibly making teams in Las Vegas and Detroit.