Soccer’s growth in US measured in the time between World Cups

The New York Post reports on soccer in America:

According to ESPN, MLS ratings (220,000 viewers last year, down from 310,000 in 2012) are even worse than the WNBA (230,000 a game). NBC Sports Network mustered just 102,000 for the league, in contrast to 392,000 for the NHL. Those numbers have to improve — but gradually, according to Ganis.

“People who think one or two star players in a nation that doesn’t know who those stars are is going to turn this around, they’re just spending money foolishly,’’ Ganis said. “MLS teams don’t do that. They’re intelligent. They find their market, generally Hispanics and target that aggressively. That’s a smart, measured and intelligent approach. If they approach it like the USFL, they’d fail and crash.

“That’s why I have great confidence in MLS management. They’re avoiding that pitfall. They’re growing in a measured way and building a really nice footprint. When they start believing they’re something other than they are, that’s the beginning of the end. They’re not going to be the next NFL.

“They’re not a $9 billion, $12 billion industry. That’s not going to happen. The NHL is $4 billion and they’re growing by another billion — $4 billion on the way to $5 billion. Basketball is $9 billion. MLS is under the $1 billion range.’’

Forbes estimated the MLS teams’ combined revenues last year at $494.2 million, or an average of $26 million. Adding two teams in 2015, and three more shortly thereafter, with that eight-year, $720 million TV deal Dempsey referenced will be a game-changer. But according to industry experts, the game is a long way from over, with the results nowhere near in yet. And that’s a good thing.

Soccer has a long way to go.