Semi OT: MLB & NFL better than NBA & NHL

[hive17]

Now, some of this is debatable, but here's a though a friend of mine had on why baseball and football are more popular than the NBA and definately the NHL:

The playoff systems for the MLB and NFL are shorter, and therefore, alienate less of the fanbase of the teams not in the playoffs for a shorter time. His thought was basically, if he's a Bucks fan or a MN Wild fan, he has to sit thru nearly 2 months of playoff games before he can forget about the season and focus on next year.

Conversely, in the MLB and NFL, there are faaaaaar fewer games basically rubbed in your no-playoff-appearing face. And once the playoffs are done, you get to focus on spring training/trade market/draft pretty soon after.

I think he has a point, but I don't know if it's because he just picked two teams I casually follow and his suggestion just got in my head as a sort of mental suggestion.

Thoughts?

 

[Groat]

The thing with that way of thinking is that playoff hockey is head and shoulders above regular season hockey. I know it's like that with every sport, but playoff hockey is just special to me for some reason. Honestly, I think one of the reasons that hockey isn't as popular as the rest is the fact that you either need to live in a cold northern area or near an ice rink to play. It's also very expensive to buy all the equipment for.

 

[beefycheddar]

But globally MLB and NFL are not as popular as NBA and NHL. The NBA has mega stars vs Baseball really hasn't had super marketed and known by everyone players since Griffey.

 

[braden]

While it's an interesting theory, I can't subscribe to it simply because playoff hockey is head and shoulders above any other sport. Despite living in Toronto, I'm not a huge hockey fan. But as soon as the playoffs start, I'm glued to nearly every game.


Now, I've never watched an NFL game but I believe if you removed the gambling aspect, the sport's popularity would plummet.

 

[nborton]

I think it's very regional. In some ways I'd say the NBA and NHL is more popular here in NC than for sure MLB and possibly the NFL. A good bit has to do with the fact there is no MLB team in NC.

It an interesting theory you have there. It could be some of it. I think the NBA has lost some popularity because of the inconsistencies in the officiating, and player's efforts. The NHL will never be as popular just because of the weather aspects of the game. Personally, after baseball hockey is my favorite sport.

The biggest thing baseball has going for it is the long tradition, and history of the game. The generations of people passing down their favorite teams to their kids has built a huge fan base. I also think baseball has the best set of clear cut rules. There are not as many judgment call issues as there are in football, and especially basketball. The only judgment issues are with strikes, and you get 3 chances even if there is one bad call. Football and basketball have evolved beyond their original rules, and it's caused issues in how the games are officiated.

 

[nborton]

While it's an interesting theory, I can't subscribe to it simply because playoff hockey is head and shoulders above any other sport. Despite living in Toronto, I'm not a huge hockey fan. But as soon as the playoffs start, I'm glued to nearly every game.


Now, I've never watched an NFL game but I believe if you removed the gambling aspect, the sport's popularity would plummet.

VERY good point. That's a huge part of the popularity. Football makes up far and away the largest chunk of sports bets.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

No comparison for me, but the Stanley Cup Playoffs (no matter who is playing) are more exciting than any other playoffs (no matter who is playing).

 

[Brett Keith]

This may be the reason for some fans, but I don't think it's a big factor at all. I think for the NHL it has more to do with the game not translating to tv as well as the other major sports. Also, they squandered the momentum they had in the early-mid 90's, with a style of play that didn't allow skill to thrive, and ofcourse work stoppages. They need to get back on ESPN, which will give them a lot more exposure, and all of a sudden you'd see a lot more time dedicated to coverage on SportsCenter.

 

[Brett Keith]

While it's an interesting theory, I can't subscribe to it simply because playoff hockey is head and shoulders above any other sport. Despite living in Toronto, I'm not a huge hockey fan. But as soon as the playoffs start, I'm glued to nearly every game.


Now, I've never watched an NFL game but I believe if you removed the gambling aspect, the sport's popularity would plummet.

VERY good point. That's a huge part of the popularity. Football makes up far and away the largest chunk of sports bets.

Don't forget fantasy sports. Fantasy football and baseball has created a lot of fans, also a lot of "fans".

 

[hive17]

While it's an interesting theory, I can't subscribe to it simply because playoff hockey is head and shoulders above any other sport. Despite living in Toronto, I'm not a huge hockey fan. But as soon as the playoffs start, I'm glued to nearly every game.


Now, I've never watched an NFL game but I believe if you removed the gambling aspect, the sport's popularity would plummet.

VERY good point. That's a huge part of the popularity. Football makes up far and away the largest chunk of sports bets.

Don't forget fantasy sports. Fantasy football and baseball has created a lot of fans, also a lot of "fans".

THAT is a good point.

 

[KOBEARODLT]

if your going to say more popular overall in the WORLD....it would be nba and mlb, people out of the US could care less about football and drool over players like kobe and lebron