Media Coverage of Soccer in America

Although nothing can replace the experience of going to a soccer specific stadium, and watching a match in person, the media's role in helping the popularity of the sport increase is vital.
A brief history of the leagues television coverage can be foung on the ever popular Wikipedia. For our purposes, we'll leave it at the following:

1.) In the inaugural season MLS signed deals for coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, while Univision, Galavision, and Telemundo broadcasted matches in Spanish.

2.) Fox Sports World (later renamed Fox Soccer Channel) and Fox Sports en Espanol began televising matches in 2003.

3.)MLS Direct Kick, the leagues premium television package now show every out-of-market game; ensuring that every match is televised.

4.) The 2007 season is the first season that every league match is televised live, and many were aired on national television.

Those are just a few bullet points to consider.

Just like any new start business, marketing is THE crucial life source that will get your company off the ground. Believe it or not, MLS is a business in the business of making a profit. From the leagues beginnings until 2007 the league had to PAY broadcasting companies to televise league matches. 2007 marked the first year in the league's history that television rights were sold to networks for a profit. This is a critical stepping stone in the progress of soccer in America.

ESPN is widely considered as THE sports authority when it comes to media coverage of any sports in America. Not only in America, but across the globe. This sports media mecca now features at least one MLS game a week, often times with pre and post game coverage. Additionally, they provided full week long coverage of the events, interviews, and anticipation the 2009 MLS Cup between Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy.