Sports execs feel that MLS’ switch from Fox Sports to the NBC family of networks will have a minor positive effect on the sport’s long-term growth, according to data from a Turnkey Sports Poll taken in February. Forty-five percent of execs polled said MLS games moving to NBC and NBC Sports Network would have a minor positive effect, with 27% saying it would have no effect and 20% saying there would be a major positive effect. Execs also felt that the current All-Star Game model, in which MLS players take on an EPL team, is the format that draws the most attention to the event. Finally, execs were asked if MLS had a chance over the next five years in passing either the NHL, NASCAR, NBA, MLB or the NFL in popularity. Forty-five percent of execs said MLS would not pass any of those leagues, while 35% said it would pass the NHL (Turnkey Sports).
| What effect will MLS' switch from Fox Sports to the NBC family
of networks have on the sport's long-term growth? |
| EFFECT | % |
| Major positive effect | 20% |
| Minor positive effect | 45% |
| No effect | 27% |
| Not sure/No response | 8% |
| |
| Which MLS All-Star Game format draws
the most attention to the event? |
| FORMAT | % |
| MLS All-Stars/EPL team | 55% |
| MLS All-Stars/U.S. national team | 14% |
MLS All-Stars divided into two teams
(i.e. East-West or U.S. players-Int'l players) | 13% |
| MLS All-Stars/non-EPL team | 3% |
| Not sure/No response | 15% |
| |
| Which league does MLS have a chance of becoming more
popular than in the U.S. over the next five years? |
| LEAGUE | % |
| None | 45% |
| NHL | 35% |
| NASCAR | 14% |
| NBA | 3% |
| MLB | 1% |
| NFL | 0% |
| Not sure/No response | 2% |
