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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: bradistani on September 21, 2012, 12:28:18 PM
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number two sport with the young uns
Soccer's big takeover
(http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=photo/2012/0915/soc_us_popularity_ill_b1_576.jpg)
Will soccer become as popular as MLB and NBA in the U.S. One researcher thinks it's inevitable.
The future of American soccer will be determined by one man. And, perhaps surprisingly, he is neither Jurgen Klinsmann, Clint Dempsey nor Ian Darke.
Rich Luker, a 59-year-old baseball-loving social scientist based in North Carolina, is the brains behind the ESPN Sports Poll, the complex database that recently pronounced soccer as America's second-most popular sport for those age 12-24, outstripping the NBA, MLB and college football. Luker is also the man who discovered that three soccer players -- Lionel Messi (16th), iconic veteran David Beckham (20th), and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (24th) -- rank among the 50 most popular athletes in America. "Unbelievably, [Lionel] Messi ranks ahead of Dwyane Wade," Luker marveled. "Only two baseball players, Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter, are ahead of him."
Luker founded the Sports Poll in 1994 when he realized the industry lacked a systematic intelligence service despite the billions of dollars poured into it. The researcher quickly partnered with ESPN to track the minutiae of fan habits surrounding 32 major sports, hoping to understand how Americans watch, play, buy and express their fandom.
Luker is a gregarious chap whose passion for his craft is self-evident. Even after 30 years in the business, the researcher still sounds as if he is in the midst of his first "Eureka moment" as he litters his conversation with such off-the-cuff nuggets as "lack of discretionary spending power means that a larger proportion of Americans would now rather watch games on television than in person," or "since 2007, the only age group that has increased its interests in sports are males over the age of 45. Everyone else is down."
Granted, Luker's terrain, the United States, is exceptional. "We live in a country that experiences a pent-up need for connection between family and friends, and sport has become the dominant way to do that," he said.
His studies have revealed that 85 percent of Americans identify themselves as sports fans, and the social scientist said with a giddy tone of wonder, "Most cultures have two, sometimes three dominant sports -- the United States has 12."
(http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2012/0804/soc_g_ronaldo1_sy_300.jpg)
Come on, now, CR7, be happy -- you're the 24th most popular athlete in America. (But, OK, we won't mention where Messi is ranked.)
The U.S. soccer audience is also unique in Luker's eyes. "It is a true community. The only group that comes close are college sports fans or followers of the Grateful Dead. They embrace soccer as a communal lifestyle as opposed to a personal experience or a community that only exists on gameday."
Luker's analysis has revealed the reason soccer fandom tends to be expressed on a 24/7 basis. "Soccer was originally an expression of national identity in hotbeds like the United Kingdom or Brazil," he said. "So that seed has been imported and sown here in the United States."
However, Luker also believes soccer is underperforming. "It's a sport that should have been doing well a long time ago." The social scientist is well positioned to make that claim. He partnered with MLS back when it was planning the launch of the league in 1994. "We discovered 30 percent of American households contained someone playing soccer. The only game that comes close to that massive number is baseball."
Through decades of study, Luker was able to pinpoint the exact moment soccer's built-in early advantage traditionally evaporated. "The game was massive up to the age of 13, when sport was all about bonding with male peers, but in middle school, it became all about cross-bonding with other genders and high school football shot right to the top," he said. "You simply can't beat the social lubrication of the homecoming football game."
Soccer's social perception was further weakened by the sport's stigmatization in the 1990s. "Middle school kids were seen to lack the guts to play one of the big sports -- baseball, football, or basketball -- preferring to play soccer, the sport their moms were pushing."
But the sporting tectonic plates have shifted. America's cultural diversification, increasingly globalized outlook, and widespread access to the Internet all have benefitted soccer more than the other more traditional American sports. "In the last two years, Americans have been exposed to elite soccer on a very regular basis, which has allowed us to appreciate the sport and develop a savvy about it in a way we could not before," Luker said.
The impact of these factors has been as powerful as they are simple. "Kids growing up today gain cachet and social currency by knowing about the sport," Luker said. The old stigma has fallen away. Pride and esteem have become attached to the game for the first time as Americans have collectively undergone a "now we understand what it is all about" moment. It is only a matter of time 'til we see soccer take off in a big way."
By way of context, Luker rattles off statistics about soccer's competitors. "Twenty-five percent of Americans are avid NFL fans first and foremost, 14.4 percent are basketball fans, and MLB comes third with 13.9 percent."
Soccer's avid fanbase is 10 percent, which does not sound like much until you realize that is 33 million people. "Based on the way it is trending, I believe global soccer will soon be four or five times bigger than it is today, and MLS's fanbase will triple or quadruple," he said. For those who do not believe, Luker is keen to underline that change can happen fast. "In 1994, MLB was as popular as the NFL. This stuff can shift quickly and right now, soccer is like a rocket ship on the launchpad."
"If baseball and basketball don't adapt to this new reality they are going to have issues," Luker continued, discussing the NFL's challenge to continue to develop talent in an era in which youth participation has dropped precipitously. "Fewer and fewer kids are actually playing [American] football so they won't learn the game in the way it sustained their interest in the past. It is an inevitability that soccer will soon be as popular as MLB and NBA."
How long will it take to get there? "We are talking generational change," Luker said. "A generation of kids have now grown up as having MLS as part of their reality. Give us one more cycle and that is all it will take. One more generation."
Luker is bullish about the rise of MLS, given that 7.2 percent of Americans describe themselves as fans of the league. "That is 25 million people, of whom MLS can only currently account for about 5 million, a fifth of their potential audience," he said. "If the league gets its marketing right, there will be massive growth." Luker reinforces this bold claim by revealing a remarkable 50 percent of those who declare any interest in soccer ask to know more about the MLS when three percent is considered a positive response rate in the consumer product industry. "MLS's problem is they only have 19 teams and no regular national television presence," Luker said. "Right now, you are not going to bump into their product but they are working hard to change that."
Despite Luker's evident enthusiasm for soccer's future, he said that he grew up playing hockey in Ann Arbor, Mich., and only watches MLS and EPL for a living. When pushed, he concluded by confessing, "My greatest delight is to look out of a plane's window when I am crossing the country and see what people are playing in the parks below," he said. "If you watch it like that, soccer is the biggest sport in the nation."
Roger Bennett is a columnist for ESPN, and with Michael Davies, is one of Grantland's "Men In Blazers." Follow him on Twitter: @rogbennett.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/relegationzone/id/262?cc=5739
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6dyjoZEpD1rpe1yfo1_500.gif)
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WILL NEVER HAPPEN!
Soccer is boring as shit and most in America dont grow up with it (along with hockey). Football rules this country!!!!
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US Women's National Soccer Team > US Men's National Soccer Team
Until the above changes, soccer is bullshit in America.
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Ha! Is it already time for the soccer wankers to try pull this one again? Time flies. ::) ;D
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LOL...The jews did this....lol
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I drink Coke instead of Pepsi, because they support...
Foz
:-*
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Soccer is boring as shit...
Matter of opinion ok? If you like it, it's not boring. If you don't like it, it will probably be boring to you.
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WILL NEVER HAPPEN!
Soccer is boring as shit and most in America dont grow up with it (along with hockey). Football rules this country!!!!
not for old farts like you, no ! ;)
kids play it a lot. they see it on tv a lot more these days. it's inevitable.
obviously it'll never touch the nfl, but it will, in time, sit comfortably above the other sports popuklar in america.
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(http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/220px-Manchester_United_FC_crest_svg.png)
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not for old farts like you, no ! ;)
kids play it a lot. they see it on tv a lot more these days. it's inevitable.
obviously it'll never touch the nfl, but it will, in time, sit comfortably above the other sports popuklar in america.
Wrong. But why is so important for you grass-diving fans to keep hoping it will? ;D
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Can never see a kid saying he would rather play soccer over baseball or basketball
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(http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/220px-Manchester_United_FC_crest_svg.png)
:(
You don't like the Ferns.
I like the Ferns. :-*
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(no homo)
I realized I like soccer way more than football recently.
Football sucks, it's always 12 seconds of action (if that) than 5 minutes of fat black guys waddling around like they're lost and goofy little white guys fucking off. Can't stand that shit.
(/no homo)
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:(
You don't like the Ferns.
I like the Ferns. :-*
LOL
Gets me every time ;D
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Wrong. But why is so important for you grass-diving fans to keep hoping it will? ;D
it's not, personally, just something interesting i heard on the radio this aft.
evrything is global now. its all about the money. i've even heard talk of a new nfl team based here in london. sounds fucking mad.. but if ten years ago someone was to tell you that a 'regular season nfl game would be played in a foreign country one day', you'd have soiled yourself laughing.
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it's not, personally, just something interesting i heard on the radio this aft.
evrything is global now. its all about the money. i've even heard talk of a new nfl team based here in london. sounds fucking mad.. but if ten years ago someone was to tell you that a 'regular season nfl game would be played in a foreign country one day', you'd have soiled yourself laughing.
I heard about an NFL team in London but that will NEVER happen. The travel would be a nightmare. Imagine a team in London having a game in Seattle. Or having to travel to the US for a playoff game.
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I heard about an NFL team in London but that will NEVER happen. The travel would be a nightmare. Imagine a team in London having a game in Seattle. Or having to travel to the US for a playoff game.
$$$$>>>>>>>>NEVER
money talks mate... never say never !
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soccer in the US ranks right below bodybuilding
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plus there's the mexicans 8)
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(http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/220px-Manchester_United_FC_crest_svg.png)
Pretty sure Man U is owned by Americans. ;D
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Modify/change the offside rule and ratings would dramatically increase in america. Long shot. Sports landscape is too diverse in america for a technical and patience oriented game like soccer to ascend to the top.
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Soccer in the U.S
::)
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it's not, personally, just something interesting i heard on the radio this aft.
evrything is global now. its all about the money. i've even heard talk of a new nfl team based here in london. sounds fucking mad.. but if ten years ago someone was to tell you that a 'regular season nfl game would be played in a foreign country one day', you'd have soiled yourself laughing.
They tried nfl Europe it didn't work. I think they are still doing one game a year there,players and coaches hate it,tough travel. Plus one team loses a home game which is HUGE in the nfl. If soccer is to catch on here they need to open the goal or take a player or 2 off the field. There needs to be more scoring/action for America to watch. The thing that is really irritating about soccer is watching a game for 3 hours and have it end in a tie. I wanna see a winner and not by cheap penalty kicks.The whole penalty kick thing doesn't do justice for the players either imo. My .02 :)
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$$$$>>>>>>>>NEVER
money talks mate... never say never !
100% correct
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Only soccer i watched was the US Women in the world cup and then at the Olympics. That was actually pretty good.
I was REALLY digging handball! That was bad ass!
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^i enjoyed those games as well. I have friends that are die hard so I've watched a lot of futball in the last few years,see my above post. A lot of kids play soccer here the problem is when they get to the higher levels the season is the same time as football. Football is king here especially in states like texas.
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They tried nfl Europe it didn't work. I think they are still doing one game a year there,players and coaches hate it,tough travel. Plus one team loses a home game which is HUGE in the nfl. If soccer is to catch on here they need to open the goal or take a player or 2 off the field. There needs to be more scoring/action for America to watch. The thing that is really irritating about soccer is watching a game for 3 hours and have it end in a tie. I wanna see a winner and not by cheap penalty kicks.The whole penalty kick thing doesn't do justice for the players either imo. My .02 :)
yeah, i remember the nfl in europe thing. it failed because it was shit and the people who are fans of american football don't want to see made up shitty teams.. they wanna see the real deal! cowboys, patriots, patriots, bears, etc, etc.
i agree, it seems far fetched to have another team based in another country so far away.. but who the fuck knows these days ! :-\
it's exactly the same in regards to soccer in america. the fans of the game want to see the big name teams and players. so its man u, barcelona, real madrid, and so on...1
the article didn't say soccer will ever challenge the nfl in popularity. of course that will never happen. but it will be popular enough for the mls to thrive and expand.
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soccer, 22 men struggling for a ball
is pure gay!!!
no body gives a shit about soccer here!!!
those kids who play soccer are those losers that can't play other sports
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soccer, 22 men struggling for a ball
is pure gay!!!
no body gives a shit about soccer here!!!
those kids who play soccer are those losers that can't play other sports
Wow.....the word "moron" doesn't even begin to describe you, asshole......keep jerking off and shut your pie-hole, retard......
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Soccer is gay and will never become a serious passtime in the US.
HTH.
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Wow.....the word "moron" doesn't even begin to describe you, asshole......keep jerking off and shut your pie-hole, retard......
I guess you are either some kind of fatass euro trash or the homo loser kid that can't play any sports but gay soccer
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Soccer is gay and will never become a serious passtime in the US.
HTH.
Because you don't like it' it's gay? What are you....12? Fucking moron's on this board......
Grow up, douche-bag
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I guess you are either some kind of fatass euro trash or the homo loser kid that can't play any sports but gay soccer
I can out lift you fuckhead.....and I'm 12%...so fuck off and die
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I can out lift you fuckhead.....and I'm 12%...so fuck off and die
Gender: Male
Age: 44
hahahahhaa
you old fat fuck!
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Ay chiuaua. Es un milagro.
Pinche ESPN chingados. Miramos al Telemundo. GOOOOOOOOOLE!
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About 25-30 years ago indoor soccer was huge in St. Louis with the Steamers. Tickets were cheap and it was always a packed house at the arena. Still is a big sport here on an amateur level. I do not see it over taking MLB, NHL, or NFL anytime soon though. Outdoor soccer is too boring. You can get drunk, fuck a chick, puke, pass out and wake up and the score will still be 1-1.
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Gender: Male
Age: 44
hahahahhaa
you old fat fuck!
Lifting and training since 18.....better shape than you on your best day "scmoff"......go back to playing with yourself you penniless little scrotum....."scmoff".......loser!
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Lifting and training since 18.....better shape than you on your best day "scmoff"......go back to playing with yourself you penniless little scrotum....."scmoff".......loser!
guess you old fat fuck had a rough week, didn't you? did you get raped by your sugar daddy?
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haha! hypocrites!
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Lifting and training since 18.....better shape than you on your best day "scmoff"......go back to playing with yourself you penniless little scrotum....."scmoff".......loser!
And yet, you're still an oversensitive homo douche.
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ok 1st off its football not soccer...........
its the number 1 game in the world
only game that matters in the world outside the U.S,( no one outside the U.S can understand why this is either)
those are the facts, no more discussion needed
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Only soccer i watched was the US Women in the world cup and then at the Olympics. That was actually pretty good.
The ladies have really got into the game in the US of A from what I can see watching tv 8)
And it's footballlllll Brad , I thought you were a pom ;D
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ok 1st off its football not soccer...........
Snap ;)
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its the number 1 game in the world
only game that matters in the world outside the U.S,( no one outside the U.S can understand why this is either)
Actually, we know this, we just don't give a flying fuck about the "only game that matters in the world". And why should we? We should like soccer because everyone else does? Great logic.
The average American finds soccer boring as shit.
We just don't like soccer, and you guys constantly telling us that we should somehow care because it's the "number 1 game in the world" isn't going to change anything. Why the hell can't you non-Americans understand this?
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Soccer sucks, be warned.
Once tried Football, American, and it's pretty cool but feels a little out of place here in Austria. Not sure what to make of it but it's a great overall workout.
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Soccer sucks, be warned.
Once tried Football, American, and it's pretty cool but feels a little out of place here in Austria. Not sure what to make of it but it's a great overall workout.
You're awfully Americanized for an Austrian.
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I'm only interested in this phenomenon to the extent that it will lead to a proliferation of soccer mom MILF's.
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Actually, we know this, we just don't give a flying fuck about the "only game that matters in the world". And why should we? We should like soccer because everyone else does? Great logic.
The average American finds soccer boring as shit.
We just don't like soccer, and you guys constantly telling us that we should somehow care because it's the "number 1 game in the world" isn't going to change anything. Why the hell can't you non-Americans understand this?
I am avg American and I like soccer.
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I drink Coke instead of Pepsi, because they support...
Foz
:-*
I was asst soccer coach at AB Shaw HS and head coach at Thibodaux HS.
Played in adult rec leagues and learned the game after my college football and track days.
Started playing in a club when I was in the USMC.
Soccer has to be the most fun game I ever played for pure enjoyment.
Anyone who ever played it , loves soccer.
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I was asst soccer coach at AB Shaw HS and head coach at Thibodaux HS.
Played in adult rec leagues and learned the game after my college football and track days.
Started playing in a club when I was in the USMC.
Soccer has to be the most fun game I ever played for pure enjoyment.
Anyone who ever played it , loves soccer.
Oh yeah, I forgot you were a Marine. Explains a few things.
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You're awfully Americanized for an Austrian.
Relax "Alpenjodler".
Since America is becoming Britain without the sophisticated accent austroslavs have to keep the eagle's faith. ;)
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Relax "Alpenjodler".
Since America is becoming Britain without the sophisticated accent austroslavs have to keep the eagle's faith. ;)
:(
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:(
;D
That's the impression I'm getting - it's like a Britain, mutated by even greater greed and multicultural allah-ism, is recolonizing the US to remove anything that's fun.
Only person who will fight for the US is Jesse Ventura firing his .45 from behind the meximerican border.
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;D
That's the impression I'm getting - it's like a Britain, mutated by even greater greed and multicultural allah-ism, is recolonizing the US to remove anything that's fun.
Only person who will fight for the US is Jesse Ventura firing his .45 from behind the meximerican border.
Yeah, I wouldn't argue that. Seems that anything that offends anyone (who is not white, its fine to offend whites) is on it's way to being banned... I get the distinct impression we're one mainstream shooting away from them trying to ban firearms...
Political correctness has taken over and its fucking stupid.
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Yeah, I wouldn't argue that. Seems that anything that offends anyone (who is not white, its fine to offend whites) is on it's way to being banned... I get the distinct impression we're one mainstream shooting away from them trying to ban firearms...
Political correctness has taken over and its fucking stupid.
It will implode then explode anyways.
America and other larger countries will fragment and revitalize under permanent conflict as some distinct gentlemen always envisioned/worked towards it.
Basically a global Yugoslavia.
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I'm only interested in this phenomenon to the extent that it will lead to a proliferation of soccer mom MILF's.
redundant.
and all the people bitching about soccer, lol, have never played it or watched it to any serious extent. EVERY SPORT SEEMS BORING under these circumstances.
funny how people can claim soccer is too boring for americans when BASEBALL is the national pastime! -- a sport that can only interest autistics and fat, wannabe athletes (much like golf).
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redundant.
and all the people bitching about soccer, lol, have never played it or watched it to any serious extent. EVERY SPORT SEEMS BORING under these circumstances.
funny how people can claim soccer is too boring for americans when BASEBALL is the national pastime! -- a sport that can only interest autistics and fat, wannabe athletes (much like golf).
Baseball isn't the National Pastime anymore. Football has taken that spot. I have played Soccer and I still think it's boring as shit.
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a sport that can only interest autistics and fat, wannabe athletes (much like golf).
Funny.
Jordan, one of the greatest athletes to ever lace em' up had dreams of playing in the majors. Couldn't even cut it in the minor leagues.
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Funny.
Jordan, one of the greatest athletes to ever lace em' up had dreams of playing in the majors. Couldn't even cut it in the minor leagues.
i'm sure he'd fail horribly at a darts tournament too ::)
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redundant.
I don't think the way I put it communicates the same meaning as 'soccer MILF,' so I'm going to stick by my use of the expression 'soccer mom' as an adjective indicating the type of MILF I had in mind.
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i'm sure he'd fail horribly at a darts tournament too ::)
Yes, after dominating the nba and capturing multiple nba titles, who wouldn't want to test their mettle in the cut throat world of...darts.
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and as far as the "gay" argument is concerned, perhaps people might spare a second for the history books. sports used to involve groups of men chopping each other to bits -- with this in mind, american football, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing, MMA, and soccer are indistinguishable blips on the queer scale.
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Yes, after dominating the nba and capturing multiple nba titles, who wouldn't want to test their mettle in the cut throat world of...darts.
let me spell it out for you:
that he failed at baseball is no testament to the "athleticism" of baseball athletes. to the contrary, it further demonstrates the pathetic nature of the sport.
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let me spell it out for you:
that he failed at baseball is no testament to the "athleticism" of baseball athletes. to the contrary, it further demonstrates the pathetic nature of the sport.
Your logic: baseball players are wannabe athletes - Implying baseball requires some semblance of athleticism to play and in your mind, very little.
Because we all know athletes who wouldn't cut it in other sports are taking their talents and playing poker. Not.
One of the greatest athletes ever falls flat on his face playing a game that is dominated by athletes who couldn't cut it in other sports.
/your ignorance on display for the enitire board to read.
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Your logic: baseball players are wannabe athletes - Implying baseball requires some semblance of athleticism to play and in your mind, very little.
nope, i'm implying it's NOT an athletic pursuit, hth.
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nope, i'm implying it's NOT an athletic pursuit, hth.
*facepalm*
It's a different KIND of althetic pursuit, but its still an althetic pursuit.
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*facepalm*
It's a different KIND of althetic pursuit, but its still an althetic pursuit.
yes, it's a different kind. darts, as mentioned, also is "a different kind." e-sports are also a different kind.
my point: a different kind, meaning a lower kind.
in the face of football, soccer, basketball, hockey, etc. baseball may as well not even be a sport, and yet it's HUGE in america. so much for the the argument "soccer is too boring."
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yes, it's a different kind. darts, as mentioned, also requires "a different kind." e-sports are also a different kind.
my point: a different kind, meaning a lower kind.
There is no althetics involved in Darts. There actually is in Baseball. You have to run. You have to hit. You have to catch. Your comparison is fail.
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concussions are going to ruin the NFL unless they fix that.
Id be happy to see soccer rise to the top.
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and as far as the "gay" argument is concerned, perhaps people might spare a second for the history books. sports used to involve groups of men chopping each other to bits -- with this in mind, american football, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing, MMA, and soccer are indistinguishable blips on the queer scale.
Well now... if all those sports are high on the queer scale, then slap my ass and call me Suzy. :-*