Comments on: Soccer Business Bits: Attendance Worries? http://footiebusiness.com/2009/04/21/soccer-business-bits-attendance-worries/ Looking at the business side of the beautiful game Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:52:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Alisha http://footiebusiness.com/2009/04/21/soccer-business-bits-attendance-worries/#comment-271 Alisha Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:42:08 +0000 http://footiebusiness.com/?p=320#comment-271 It's the economy, for sure. NOBODY is spending. From Main Street to Wall Street and everywhere in between. People just don't have the juice. It’s the economy, for sure. NOBODY is spending. From Main Street to Wall Street and everywhere in between. People just don’t have the juice.

]]> By: ManU http://footiebusiness.com/2009/04/21/soccer-business-bits-attendance-worries/#comment-270 ManU Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:02:56 +0000 http://footiebusiness.com/?p=320#comment-270 I'd attribute "most" of it to the economic climate. LA is definitely down because of Beckham. Chicago surprises and worries me though. They've always had a good fan base, many of which travel with the team to away games. With Blanco and McBride there, you would think their numbers would be up, or at least even. But, I think people do have to keep in mind that everything is being effected by the economy, and the MLS certainly is not exempt from it's effects. I’d attribute “most” of it to the economic climate. LA is definitely down because of Beckham. Chicago surprises and worries me though. They’ve always had a good fan base, many of which travel with the team to away games. With Blanco and McBride there, you would think their numbers would be up, or at least even. But, I think people do have to keep in mind that everything is being effected by the economy, and the MLS certainly is not exempt from it’s effects.

]]> By: Ben Berger http://footiebusiness.com/2009/04/21/soccer-business-bits-attendance-worries/#comment-268 Ben Berger Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:40:07 +0000 http://footiebusiness.com/?p=320#comment-268 That data is interesting, especially since those teams were playing games in the summer of '08 (i.e. before the current crisis). MLS was still playing its last season when the market tanked, so they (like MLB) are the first teams to open in the new climate. That data is interesting, especially since those teams were playing games in the summer of ’08 (i.e. before the current crisis). MLS was still playing its last season when the market tanked, so they (like MLB) are the first teams to open in the new climate.

]]> By: Peter C http://footiebusiness.com/2009/04/21/soccer-business-bits-attendance-worries/#comment-267 Peter C Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:12:40 +0000 http://footiebusiness.com/?p=320#comment-267 I agree with the previous comments. It's the economy and it's worldwide. Here are numbers in some Euro leagues from teams that weren't relegated. Average attendance is down as follows from '07-'08. EPL: 11 of 17 La Liga: 10 of 17 Ligue 1: 11 of 17 Bundesliga: 5 of 15 Serie A: 4 of 17 SPL: 8 of 11 I agree with the previous comments. It’s the economy and it’s worldwide.
Here are numbers in some Euro leagues from teams that weren’t relegated. Average attendance is down as follows from ’07-’08.

EPL: 11 of 17
La Liga: 10 of 17
Ligue 1: 11 of 17
Bundesliga: 5 of 15
Serie A: 4 of 17
SPL: 8 of 11

]]> By: peteo http://footiebusiness.com/2009/04/21/soccer-business-bits-attendance-worries/#comment-264 peteo Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:58:26 +0000 http://footiebusiness.com/?p=320#comment-264 I think it is the economy, and the perception of the economy. People are hanging on to their entertainment dollars, and picking and choosing what games/events/activities to go to, even if they can afford to attend most games. Unfortunately, MLS is a tad back in importance until the economy picks up. I think it is the economy, and the perception of the economy. People are hanging on to their entertainment dollars, and picking and choosing what games/events/activities to go to, even if they can afford to attend most games. Unfortunately, MLS is a tad back in importance until the economy picks up.

]]> By: Ben Berger http://footiebusiness.com/2009/04/21/soccer-business-bits-attendance-worries/#comment-260 Ben Berger Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:57:35 +0000 http://footiebusiness.com/?p=320#comment-260 With regard to Becks, I think it depends. L.A. is down this year and that is linked to his absence, and we can assume that the San Jose/Galaxy game last week would have had a much bigger crowd had Becks been there. Reports have long suggested that MLS depends heavily upon the gate. While there are TV deals, they are not of the magnitude of some of the other sports. With regard to Becks, I think it depends. L.A. is down this year and that is linked to his absence, and we can assume that the San Jose/Galaxy game last week would have had a much bigger crowd had Becks been there.

Reports have long suggested that MLS depends heavily upon the gate. While there are TV deals, they are not of the magnitude of some of the other sports.

]]> By: victory http://footiebusiness.com/2009/04/21/soccer-business-bits-attendance-worries/#comment-259 victory Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:19:05 +0000 http://footiebusiness.com/?p=320#comment-259 I think its economy based. all sports are struggling right now. how gate driven is MLS? I think its economy based. all sports are struggling right now. how gate driven is MLS?

]]> By: Jason D http://footiebusiness.com/2009/04/21/soccer-business-bits-attendance-worries/#comment-257 Jason D Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:41:30 +0000 http://footiebusiness.com/?p=320#comment-257 It's definitely a concern, and all the more frustrating because pinning down the reasons is impossible. I'd like to hope that Beckham doesn't have anything to do with it, but perhaps that would be over-estimating the American soccer public. It’s definitely a concern, and all the more frustrating because pinning down the reasons is impossible.

I’d like to hope that Beckham doesn’t have anything to do with it, but perhaps that would be over-estimating the American soccer public.

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