Matches are in Australia and New Zealand (the host countries). They are 12 hours ahead of US ET.
New Zealand is much more than 12 hours. It's currently 7:15AM ET and 11:15PM in NZ.
First, paragraph breaks would help make that more readable.
I agree
. Sorry about not breaking up the paragraphs. I'll fix that.I am not sure how you meant your post to be received, as tone and intent are always difficult in text.
I fully support the USWNT's accomplishments and I'm proud of them. I disagree how they got a new pay deal (using social media and news outlets to get their way because the courts kept ruling against them because they had little legal standing according to those courts). I fully support equal pay by the way.I am not sure how you meant your post to be received, as tone and intent are always difficult in text.
To me, your post comes off as a little negative towards the USWNT.
I agree, most of the world might not care. But many will. (I think you could say that about many things.) We are a huge sport family and of course we have seen the coverage of Messi greatly overshadow the Women's FIFA this week. Yes, that does prove your point. But we don't need to put down the accomplishments of the women in order to acknowledge the popularity of the men. The men have had much more time and opportunity to gain popularity, as you noted, so this should not be a surprise that they have more interest.
I think that the USWNT had to fight hard to get where they are and I think their fight will help others around the world. This is good for everyone. FIFA has also changed their rules slightly so now athletes may have more opportunities to play for another country, which may have some impact, as well.
Our family follows the USWNT but has never watched a men's game, ever. Yes, I know we are in the minority, just saying we are excited for this tournament!
Also give a USMNT or MLS match a chance.I am not sure how you meant your post to be received, as tone and intent are always difficult in text.
To me, your post comes off as a little negative towards the USWNT.
I agree, most of the world might not care. But many will. (I think you could say that about many things.) We are a huge sport family and of course we have seen the coverage of Messi greatly overshadow the Women's FIFA this week. Yes, that does prove your point. But we don't need to put down the accomplishments of the women in order to acknowledge the popularity of the men. The men have had much more time and opportunity to gain popularity, as you noted, so this should not be a surprise that they have more interest.
I think that the USWNT had to fight hard to get where they are and I think their fight will help others around the world. This is good for everyone. FIFA has also changed their rules slightly so now athletes may have more opportunities to play for another country, which may have some impact, as well.
Our family follows the USWNT but has never watched a men's game, ever. Yes, I know we are in the minority, just saying we are excited for this tournament!
Why is it only soccer where I hear folks lament about "needing the sport to grow"? I don't hear about it from other "minor" sports (softball, golf, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, etc). Heck, even Pickleball, "the next big thing", I don't hear people concerned about a lack of participation/viewership.
Soccer is the only truly global sport that has the ability to grow. Humans have played it a variety of ways since the invention of the ball.
Please explain the bolded. Other sports can't "grow"? How do you define "grow"?
It is the easiest sport to learn, requires minimum equipment, and cost the least to play. It has many levels of intensity to play (Sunday leagues to Champions league levels). It has multiple avenues to produce fans and athletes of the sport. It has global exposure from every country and culture. Anywhere in the world you will see someone playing a version of the sport. Other sports have higher health concerns in comparison to soccer. Growth in those other sports are becomeing less interesting and more expensive for younger generations to learn and play. I posted a thread a while ago here if anyone would be following the new American T20 cricket major league or major league rugby. 99 percent said no or they didn't want to give the sport a chance. No other sports is really seeing the gradual growth soccer is having. It's partly millenials driving that and our professional leagues having success. Golf, and minor sports (with exceptions to common recreational activities like swimming, boating, skiing, snowboarding), have most likely capped it's growth potential. Cricket and rugby could grow here with more immigration from south Asia/Pacific and European countries. But again that's a big if given that every individual is unique and not everybody follows what is popular based on their heritage.
Huh? How does ANY of that keep other sports from "growing"? Let's break this down... how do you define "grow"?
Is Fox and Telemundo over the air? Peacock may be an option as well. That's where most of the team USA matches are for the FIFA Women's World Cup. Good luck to your friend's daughter on making Les Rouges. I think women's soccer is a great thing by the way. I'm just trying to point out the current perspective most of world thinks about it. I would love to be proven wrong though. On a positive note, the NWSL is rumored to be expanding and the USL I believe is going to expand a women's league as well. Concacaf is putting forward a women's Gold Cup for the first time as well. The Europeans, to their credit, already have a women's European Championship to and European Champions leagues as well. In that respect they are ahead of the USA at the moment.
Popularity drives sponsors and tv ratings, which determines economic growth of sports. If there is no economic advantages for investing in a sport in a national setting, the chances of a sports growth among the entire population is very slim. Money is the ultimate factor in a sports growth.
So does that mean you're measuring "growth" using money? How? The fees people pay to participate? The income from media deals? The income from attendance?
I believe soccer participation has always been high. Americans have been playing a version of it back in the 18th century (Native Americans even longer). Lacrosse popularity varies by area. Given that it is a Native American invention, I would think racism stopped its growth until the mid 1900's. Soccer was popular until the start of Cold War 1 and gained popularity again in the 1970's (thank you Pele, may you rest in peace). MLS now relies on streaming, the European leagues will always have higher ratings than most American low profile sports games. ESPN showing cornhole is because Disney is cutting back on TV rights spending not what is popular.
