Sports in Philadelphia (York: live, vs, buses)

[rotodome]

What's more likely to be on at a bar? How many people watch at home on TV? How many people walk around with sixers vs union gear? I think all of those things are relevant to popularity.

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

But the Sixers play 82 games a year whereas the Union only play 34. That's why average attendance is more relevant.

well you are fishing then as Roto said though their attendence is pretty good

[BajanYankee]

Originally Posted by rotodome

What's more likely to be on at a bar? How many people watch at home on TV? How many people walk around with sixers vs union gear? I think all of those things are relevant to popularity.

Well, I'm sure his friend would say that there are tons of bars in the city where Philadelphians go crazy every night watching MLS and Premier League matches.

[RightonWalnut]

Maybe in the Northeast... but I've never seen the Union on in Center City, South Philly, North Philly, West Philly or Northwest Philly.

The ranking of love for Philly teams are

1. Phillies
2. Eagles
3. Flyers
4. Sixers
5. Union


I would say most people probably don't even know the Union exist.

[rotodome]

I don't even know what the Union logo looks like, but I definitely see Sixers caps and jerseys all the time, and they seem pretty ubiquitous. Though....then maybe someone might just argue that I don't see Union Jerseys or caps all the time because I don't know what they look like?

[BajanYankee]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

Maybe in the Northeast... but I've never seen the Union on in Center City, South Philly, North Philly, West Philly or Northwest Philly.

Hmm...I would have thought that Union games would be shown in Center City over anywhere else. There and University City seem to have the largest concentration of young, upper income, well-traveled people. Those are the types of people soccer tends to attract (in the U.S., aside from Hispanics and immigrants).

Originally Posted by Summersm343

I would say most people probably don't even know the Union exist.

I didn't.

[scosm]

I don't think it is any different than in NYC (or Boston or DC). If the Yankees or Mets aren't playing, a sports bar will probably tune into the Red Bulls game and some will watch it and recognize a player or two. But it hasn't reached into the forefront of the city consciousness and many sports fans who might be predisposed to watching the games don't understand the game yet. There is still a bit of a novelty factor, but soccer ratings are growing strongly across the country for MLS but also the World Cup, Euros, Premier League and Champions League. I think this is most pronounced in some areas (big cities, especially on the East and West coasts) and among some demographics (immigrants and children of immigrants and young professionals).

Interesting fact: the MLS average attendance is greater than the average attendance for the teams in the top Brazilian soccer league. Lots of people go to MLS games and it is a great mix of young diehard supporters, immigrants, families with kids, casual sports fans, but the non-gate revenue is nothing near what you get in hockey or basketball or in foreign soccer leagues.

[BajanYankee]

Originally Posted by scosm

I don't think it is any different than in NYC (or Boston or DC). If the Yankees or Mets aren't playing, a sports bar will probably tune into the Red Bulls game and some will watch it and recognize a player or two.

In DC, you will only see soccer on if you (a) go to a bar or restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, which is predominantly Salvadoran or (b) go to a pub with many expensive, imported beers you've probably never heard of (there are quite a few of these in the District). Even at the bars where "futbol" is shown, the people there generally are not very knowledgeable about the game. Outside of the District, it's Redskins country.

[scosm]

I see Union stuff around - bumper stickers and paraphernalia - and I have seen it on TVs in bars in University City. The Septa buses will often have signs of "Go Union!" on the front electronic board. I don't go around quizzing people about their knowledge of the Union (maybe I should), but I think lots of people have heard of them. Some maybe have a vague knowledge of them, but they are broadcast on CSN, so sports fans probably will have seen at least a sliver of the games.

I really like the logo and jerseys. The colors are based on the colors of the Philadelphia flag and the logo has the snake from the Don't Tread on Me flag. You guys need to check this stuff out!

[BajanYankee]

Originally Posted by scosm

I see Union stuff around - bumper stickers and paraphernalia - and I have seen it on TVs in bars in University City. The Septa buses will often have signs of "Go Union!" on the front electronic board. I don't go around quizzing people about their knowledge of the Union (maybe I should), but I think lots of people have heard of them. Some maybe have a vague knowledge of them, but they are broadcast on CSN, so sports fans probably will have seen at least a sliver of the games.

I really like the logo and jerseys. The colors are based on the colors of the Philadelphia flag and the logo has the snake from the Don't Tread on Me flag. You guys need to check this stuff out!

I would probably rate MLS popularity slightly above the WNBA. To be honest, I haven't even thought about the WNBA since those "We Got Next!" commercials. MLS seems to be the same way. I'm sure I've seen commercials for New York's team, but by and large, nobody really cares. DC United is a bit more popular, but they still take a major backseat to the Skins, Wizards, Nats and even the Caps.