Whatever other criteria are used to determine popularity, soccer ranks highest. Because it has the largest number of fans and is also the most wealthy sport, this is why it is so popular. It is easy to wonder why so many people love this game. We need to look into the reasons.

POPULATION SUPPORT & THE ECONOMICS of SOCCER

Soccer is the sport with the greatest fan base in modern times. Everyone loves this beautiful game.

According to Bleacher Report on Most Popular Sports Soccer is played in 208 nations and its fan base is first among 93 countries with a combined population 2 billion. It is ranked in the top three sports in 100 countries that have over 3 billion inhabitants. It is the most profitable and largest sporting event. For example, in 2006 it was watched by 26 billion people. 700 million viewed the final game.

Compare this to cricket, the second most-popular sport. This sport is only available in the British Commonwealth and is the most played in 20 countries that have a population of over 1.6billion. Only 10 countries boast cricket’s top three most popular sports. This is a country with a population exceeding 200 million. With an audience of just 5 billion, the cricket World Cup ranks second behind soccer.

Basketball is the third most popular sports, with 92,000,000 fans. It is also the most popular in the Philippines. While the game is not comparable to the World Cup, it has a 1 billion TV audience and is the most popular American sporting event 스포츠티비.

Soccer’s economics tell a similar story. It is undoubtedly the most wealthy sport. It has the highest number of fans on the richest continent in Europe, with leagues worth over $40 billion. It is the most popular professional sport, and the prize money to win the 2010 World Cup was $30million (World’s Most Popular Sport – Most Popular Sports.net). The World Cup can increase a country’s economic output by as much as $10 billion.

India is the highest-income earner in cricket at $2 billion. Basketball, however, is worth $3.3 billion. Bleacher Report – Most Popular Team Sports by Amrit Donley, May 7, 2009.

THE APPEAL FOR SOCCER

Soccer is older than many other games. Its 3000-year-old origins can be traced back to ancient China. The English created the modern game in 19th century. It is easy to export and has taken a long time for it to develop.

Because it appeals in so many ways to a wide range of people, rich or poor, young or old, soccer is extremely popular. Let’s see why.

First, there are no barriers to entry. All you need is a ball. It can be played anywhere, including on the streets, the beach, and in parks. It provides hope for poor children as a way to live a better lifestyle. They can even play the sport that their heroes played.

Soccer is a team sport. 22 people can play in a single game, which promotes team spirit.

It encourages passion and fierce rivalries, particularly when two teams from one city play each other (called Derbies), as well as when national pride can be at stake when two nations compete for dominance within a Confederation.

Nothing gives you more pride than playing for your country. Fans take greater pride in their country’s success.

Another important fact is that there are few other viable sports to compete with soccer. 

Finally, it’s a smart investment, especially if you have a team that is successful. American, East European and Middle East tycoons have been investing in European players and buying European clubs over the years. High-quality players can help clubs win trophies and money, as well as increase their fan base.

Yahoo Sports reported that the English Premier League spent nearly $400 million on players during the recently closed transfer window. Spanish clubs spent $521 million, and $133million on Gareth Bale.

There are several types of soccer. You can play indoor, futsal, or beach soccer. It is very popular. Women’s soccer has seen a lot of growth since the 1990’s, and there are also World Cup competitions.

All these factors contribute to increasing the popularity and appeal of the game.

Because of its variety, soccer ranks high as the most beloved sport. If a player has the ability to play, they can be rewarded with a national team or local club. Or, you can watch the excitement unfold as millions of fans do every day as they cheer on their favorite team. The beautiful game is King.

I wrote an article titled “Pssst: Here’s PS60m for Your Soccer Team ” which I have published in my blog. It was about how the Beautiful Game is turning into something that only wealthy people can afford. A rising number of Premiership clubs is being purchased by foreign investors: Manchester United and Liverpool are owned by Americans. West Ham United and West Ham United are owned by Icelanders. Fulham is owned by an Egyptian who is primarily interested in retail. Chelsea is owned by a Russian with a PS9 billion personal fortune, who is obsessed in winning and can earn much more from his oil and minerals trade. We even have an ex-Thai Prime minister wishing to get a piece in the action by taking over Manchester City. Is the Premiership slowly becoming a luxury playground for the super-rich Yes, it is. The latest annual review of football by Deloitte & Touche is a stunning example of this. The Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance was released on 31 May 2007 and revealed the following shocking financial facts:

1) The wages combined of the English Premier League will surpass the PS1billion mark. This is the first time the competition has been formally launched since 1992 – 1993. The combined wages of all 20 teams reached PS854 millions for the 2005-2006 season, up from “merely” PS168million in 2005. It’s wonderful to be a soccer player, rather than a desk-bound worker 스포츠티비.  

2) The rich are getting better. We can expect the EPL’s first PS200,000-a-week player to emerge before 2010. The top two earners in the Premiership are currently Ukrainian Andriy Shevchenko (both Chelsea) and German Michael Ballack, who each bank at least PS130,000 per weekly. Even if you’re a proven player like them, you shouldn’t be earning a minimum wage or the proper performance bonuses. To keep costs down, soccer clubs may have to charge more for tickets. This is the best way for the business to be protected in times of poor results. It will also motivate and reward players as well as the management for winning.

2) The top 20 clubs generated a total turnover of PS1.4billion in 2005 and 2006. This figure is expected rise to PS1.8billion for Season 2007-2008. My suspicions are that these revenues came mainly from Asia’s booming economies. This figure is expected to rise to PS1.8 billion for Season 2007-2008.

4) The staggering PS2 trillion in debt has been accumulated by taking into account money that was spent by teams from the lower divisions trying to get into the Premiership. The new TV deal, worth PS2.7billion, will be in force for the next season. It is widely expected to act as a catalyst for wage rise and debt servicing. The new TV revenue will include domestic and international rights. It amounts to approximately PS300m more per season over the next three-years. It will be the beginning of a vicious cycle. Teams get loans to join the top division and are then able to earn more TV money. This is used to service their debts. They will still need to borrow heavily, even though they have less revenue.

The spiraling financial costs involved in soccer will eventually get out of hand, I swear. Fans will feel the most, as they will have to fork over more money for tickets, jersey replicas, and program sheets. Even those with limited budgets cannot afford to go to the stadiums. Pay-per-view TV will likely cost more, whether they’re watching “live” games or delayed broadcasts. I predict that foreign owners will take over more top-tier clubs. Although these foreigners can be super-rich and bring in huge cash inflows, it may not be in the best interest of soccer. These foreigners are most likely businessmen. It is impossible to ensure that these clubs are not just cash cows to be milked, and that the fans are not being taken on a wild ride. It is clear to me that foreign owners have had significant sporting success AS WELL AS financial gain. It is high time that the British government or the highest governing body FIFA regulate these transactions before they get worse.