Most people--including the Americans--believe that the US is indifferent to football or what they call "soccer." Certainly, the big money in American professional leagues is in American football, baseball, basketball, and to a lesser extent, ice hockey. There's also the impression that the American soccer leagues are where washed-up players go to finish off their careers Sunset Boulevard-style. Think of David Beckham. The current England coach, Italian Fabio Capello told Beckham that to have any chance at playing for his country, he had to come back and play in ["real"] European competition. Becks' injury ended such hopes, but still.This interesting contribution I came across by Scott Gulbransen, Senior Director of Global Public Relations for Sony Online Entertainment, begs to differ with this impression. He says that Americans not only have paid the most for TV rights, but their contingent of fans in South Africa is the largest one. Further, he suggests that increasing popularity of the sport in America is due to a continuing influx of Latin immigrants:
There is no doubting that soccer is popular and growing in the United States, with the influx of immigrants from Mexico, Central and South America. With that increase in popularity, the World Cup is becoming a bigger deal here in the U.S.. More and more Americans are joining their neighbors from all parts of the globe to live the spectacle that is the Cup.And here is an interesting quote that demonstrates that football's high priests understand IPE [!] UEFA President Michel Platini argues that unlike the World Bank or the IMF, football governing bodies are much more egalitarian to Third World interests. Even the IMF blog tells you the IMF is in need of reform. Hence, the commercial clout of US broadcasters, fans, and sponsors (it needs to be mentioned) should not sway matters too much in America's direction--especially as it bids to host another World Cup according to the powers-that-be:
This year’s Cup in South Africa has a very American feel to it. Not only does the United States have its best chance to advance in the tournament in 60 years, but Americans are flocking to the country buying up tickets and wielding our substantial financial influence.
In fact, U.S. fans have bought more tickets than any other nation outside of South Africa. U.S. television networks have also paid the highest media rights fees of any nation. The US is a finalist to host the World Cup (in either 2018 or 2022) for the second time ever. The last time (1994) was the first and only time every ticket to every game was completely sold out. American affluence and hunger for the sport fueled the greatest financial success FIFA had ever seen.
With that in mind, you’d think FIFA would be excited about the fact the US is driving such interest in the sport. You'd think the "sleeping giant" of U.S. soccer would excited the governing body. Not so says one of its leaders.
With that in mind, you’d think FIFA would be excited about the fact the US is driving such interest in the sport. You'd think the "sleeping giant" of U.S. soccer would excited the governing body. Not so says one of its leaders.The Washington Post reports that FIFA figures do indeed show Americans have bought the most tickets to the events after the host nation.
"You may be confusing the world of football (soccer) with the IMF or the World Bank," says Michel Platini, a top executive of FIFA, the international governing body of international soccer. "When it comes to decision-making in international football, the U.S., like Germany or China, has as much power as San Marino, Vanuatu or Belize."
Whether Platini admits it or not, the World Cup needs the US more than ever. With a global recession, Americans and their wallets – including the large television networks – throw more money at the tournament than everyone else combined. FIFA and the World Cup increasingly need American interest and money to keep the expensive show afloat. Yes, it might be the world's most popular sport, but America is its richest and most important benefactor.
