In order to judge whether or not MLS is holding up well against similar competition, I crunched attendance numbers from the current MLB season and compared those to the 2008 figures through the same # of home games played. Here's what I found:
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1.) % of teams with an increased average attendance in 2009
Major League Soccer: 6 out of 14 (43%)
Major League Baseball: 10 out of 30 (33%)
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2.) % of teams with >10% drop in 2009
Major League Soccer: 6 out of 14 (43%)
Major League Baseball: 10 out of 30 (33%)
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3.) Overall league-wide #'s
Major League Soccer: 15,237.62 (-7.58%)
Major League Baseball: 29,731.48 (-5.05%)
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4.) Of Note (average attendance):
Seattle Sounders FC: 29,715.00
Seattle Mariners: 27,137.97
Toronto FC: 20,288.10
Toronto Blue Jays: 22,839.93
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In conclusion, both leagues appear to be suffering similar drops at the gate as a whole, which would seem to corroborate the theory of the economy having the biggest effect on attendance. This news bodes well for MLS, as there are several reasons why soccer crowds should be on the rise through the end of the year: a (slowly) recovering economy, increased Qwest Field capacity for the rest of the season, the return of David Beckham, and a glut of international friendlies against some of the world's best teams that may serve to attract new fans to the MLS clubs taking part.
As always, click HERE to see the full 2009 MLS attendance picture.
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3 comments:
Unfortunately, your comparison is flawed. MLB has not increased its number of teams, so the decline is a fair measure of change in attendance. The MLS in same markets, i.e. without the new and highly successful Seattle Sounders, is down by over 14%. We are hurting more than MLB.
MLB hasn't added any teams because their aren't any more markets that need MLB franchises. Certainly, since MLS is consistently adding franchises. One is led believe (regardless of the 14% alledged attendance drop), that an increased demand for MLS franchises and expanding fan base that we are not "hurting more than MLB" but succeeding more than MLB during a recessed economy. Increased growth during a recession far outweighs "holding on" - which is what MLB is barely doing for their fans.
Nice article and as a fan in the DC market that has seen a fall off I am optomistic as our last 2 home games have been our most heavily attended and are roughly what we average year in and year out. I'm an MLB fan too and I can say with certainty that it is obvious that if you watch a game on TV that both sports are hurting. And it is impressive that MLS is still expanding and the future looks great if you consider that our last 2 true expansion teams(not counting San Jose rebirth), Toronto and Seattle have had nothing but sell outs and have season ticket waiting lists. And TFC has unitl this year not put a winning product on the field. Hope Philly gets good crowds next season and they all the other teams start gaining on attendance numbers since there is only one way to go when your down:)
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