re: Soccer spinnoff -- where do you see both baseball and (US) soccer in 20 years?

quote:

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In 2012, the N.B.A.’s regular season ratings on ABC were nearly double those of Major League Baseball on Fox. The last eight years have produced the seven least-watched World Series on record.

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No one is arguing that world series ratings have plummeted recently. You seem to be focusing on that sole point as to why MLB will suffer longterm when there are numerous other points (that I and most others would argue have more value) that say MLB is doing fine and actually better than most think.

MLB has "suffered" from the national perspective bc it lacks icons that people can associate with. Players like Bonds, Pedro, Jeter, Clemens, McGuire/Sosa, Griffey etc etc were exciting to watch and captured the national audience. MLB doesn't have that right now... take Cabrera for example, he is incredible yet really doesn't have that national appeal that the above players had. I think Trout, Bryce Harper and a couple others can potentially get there tho.

The NBA has benefited on the national side from players like Lebron who transcend the game and naturally create story lines. Yes they will have higher finals ratings when Lebron is in it but other than that I don't see how the NBA is doing better than MLB at anything.

I think the NFL is doomed by concussions. I can't see how the league will exist in 30 years unless it drastically alters the game.