Sports on the rise or fall?

[Dave Gray]

There's always talk about a new sport coming in and establishing a presence in the US and there's also talk about beloved sports losing favor.  Do you think that we're stuck with the same major sports or do you think that we'll add some new ones?  If we do add new ones, will one of our major sports have to fall off?

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I think that certain sports will remain at a steady level of popularity.  They will neither gain full popularity with the masses, nor drop off.  These include mostly individual sports, like Tennis and Golf.

I think that the major team sports, like Baseball and Football and stuff will likely shift among themselves over the years, but will all maintain a large share of interest.  This includes hockey, that's probably at a low-point right now.

Nascar is the best example of a "new" sport to establish mainstream popularity. 

I think that other possibilities are soccer and MMA, in the next 30 years.

The only sport I see in danger of losing what it once had is boxing.

[MaineDolFan]

NASCAR is actually dropping in popularity in a scary fashion.

[Dave Gray]

NASCAR is actually dropping in popularity in a scary fashion.

I can see that.

I watched quite a bit of Nascar 2 years ago.  I wasn't diehard or anything, but I used to put it on at home while I either worked on my laptop or took a nap.  It had gotten pretty big.  I still watch from time to time, but it seems like every time I catch it, it's a rain delay.

[Brian Fein]

if you have something on TV while taking a nap, does that till count as "watching it?"

[Phishfan]

I don't see anything on the rise to the point I would call it a major sport. Although NASCAR has had decreasing ratings, they are still high when considering other sports events so I don't see them dropping out either. I think for the time being what we have is all there will be.

[Dave Gray]

if you have something on TV while taking a nap, does that till count as "watching it?"

I watch it until I fall asleep...that's kinda what I meant.  The monotonous buzzing of the cars is relaxing, up until the hillbillies start screaming about a wreck, in which case, I wake up.  It's a pretty good system.

[Spider-Dan]

MMA will replace boxing.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Football will always be king sport.  Baseball is on a serious decline because of the steroid fiasco. 

[Brian Fein]

^^ I disagree with this.  Seems to me that Baseball is pretty damn popular.  I don't care what players took steroids 5 or 8 years ago, as long as they're not doing it now...

[MaineDolFan]

Baseball is on a serious decline because of the steroid fiasco. 

Please feel free to stop talking out of your ass.

2008's MLB attendance was the highest in the HISTORY of the game at 78,614,880.  

The staggering aspect of that?  The ballparks of today are smaller (seating wise).  Teams like Cleveland, Milwaukee, both NY teams, Baltimore, etc...all playing in parks less than 20 years old.  All with less capacity than the previous homes they played in.  

Lakefront seated 74,438 for baseball, the Jake seats 43,515.  
Memorial seated 53,371 and Camden Yards 48,876.
Milwaukee County Stadium seated 53,192 and Miller Park seats 41,900.
Tiger Stadium seated 52,416 and Comerica seats 41,782.

Baseball's overall attendance since 1999 has grown by almost 9,000,000...and with smaller parks to sit in.

There is nothing in "serious decline" in regards to MLB.  Feel free to look beyond the ratings of the Phillies and Rays WS before you start spouting off amazingly incorrect things.

TV ratings for this year are up slighly on a national basis and up dramatically in larger markets.  The Texas Rangers, for example, are pulling staggering numbers on TV (and thriving at the gate).

Are numbers dropping off this season.  Of course.  In case you haven't noticed there is this thing called a recession going on.  The drop in numbers this season (which every sport including football is going to experience) has nothing to do with the vitality of the sport.

[SCFinfan]

^^^

The new Yankee Stadium is smaller than the old one? I don't know one way or the other, but I just can't believe it.

[bsfins]

To me there are some sports that I like to play,but hate to watch....Basketball,Golf,Swimming/diving...and hell even poker....
So I'm a little confused if it matters,in the sense of what professional sport will take off,or more people play..What's the criteria...

A few years ago, the next big thing was Texas hold'em....It was everywhere,and it's dying as fast as it boomed...

I remember (soccer guys) telling me 20 years ago when I was a kid "Soccer is growing in America,look at all the kids playing youth soccer" I don't see all the kids playing = Great Soccer in America.....I want to believe that the better the American teams do in international competitions,the bigger soccer gets,but the women Won the world cup,and have won gold in the olympics.....So I think unless the US is good constantly, I see soccer still a feel good story every few years,then it fades away.....

The X games....Was supposed to be the next big thing....They're a Blip now....

I think,the sport that will almost disappear big time sport (that's not already been mentioned),is open wheel racing....I feel with racing there is too much division,drag racing,dirt track,oval,drag racing,Stadium,baja...

[MaineDolFan]

^^^

The new Yankee Stadium is smaller than the old one? I don't know one way or the other, but I just can't believe it.

Yep, it's smaller.  At one point in time the old stadium seated over 80,000 for a game.  It's been made smaller over time. 

Old Yankee Stadium, 2008 capacity = 56,936
New Yankee Stadium = 52,325

[StL FinFan]

^ New Busch is smaller than the old one.

On a different subject:

As for soccer.  It has never been anything but a nice sport and I don't see it gaining widespread popularity in this country ever.  There is no good explaination for it but I think people find it boring because it is not a high scoring game.  If you don't understand the fine points of it, it probably is boring.  NASL and MISL had their moments but they eventually faded.  I love the sport and wish it were more popular here but I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

[TonyB0D]

the NHL is on the rise.  the lockout was actually pretty good for the sport.  it forced rule changes, which opened up the offense and made the game more fun and fast paced.  add to that the fact that the recent trend of drafting european players is starting to pay dividends.  there is a HUGE wave of exciting, skilled, and YOUNG players.  the NHL also has a ton of domestic young stars establishing themselves.  the next few years will definitely be exciting as we see the next generation of the NHL ready to take over.