Soccer is becoming more popular in North America; there are no two ways about it. But it’s important to ask – will the MLS ever become a top league?
That depends on various factors. Here, we take a look at the growing profile of the MLS and explain what needs to happen if the MLS is to enjoy the same level of popularity as the top soccer leagues in Europe.
So, will the MLS ever become a top league?
The MLS is North America’s top soccer league and has enjoyed significant growth since launching in 1996. It might one day compete with the major European soccer leagues, but it really depends on the level of investment that flows into the league in the future.
The reason why most players wish to play in Europe is because of the high salaries and prestige associated with the leagues there. The MLS has a long way to go if it is to achieve the same standards as the EPL, Serie A, and La Liga, as we explore below.
How does the MLS work?
When compared to major soccer leagues around the world, the MLS is unique in many respects. First and foremost, the MLS comprises a franchise system. For the 2023 season, there will be 29 franchises competing in the league.
Rather than being a league that brings together independent association soccer clubs (as is the case in Europe), the MLS league owns all of the teams participating in the league. Each team is then individually operated by the league’s investors.
Therefore, every team that competes in the MLS has a fixed membership for the league. As a result, there is no promotion or relegation system in the MLS, meaning that the franchises are able to secure their long-term positions in the competition.
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The MLS was created following the US’ hosting of the 1994 FIFA World Cup and is undoubtedly the most successful North American soccer league of all time.
However, while the MLS is much-loved in the United States, it can’t compete with the big European leagues in terms of viewership and interest. Let’s take a look at why that might be the case.
Is the MLS popular?
It’s fair to say that the MLS is a popular league and is much-loved by those that regularly tune into the broadcasts and live events. CNBC reported that the 2021 viewing figures for the league were up, with 1.14 million viewers tuning into the MLS Cup Final.
Throughout the regular season, ESPN’s MLS coverage brought in an average of 276,000 viewers for the 31 games shown, which was up by around 40,000 from the previous year. Fox said that their viewing figures had increased by 4% when compared to 2020.
In other words, Americans are becoming more and more engaged with soccer, and MLS viewing figures are undoubtedly heading in the right direction.
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But what about attendance at soccer stadiums in the MLS? As of July 2022, the average attendance at MLS matches is 20,151, with Atlanta boasting the most loyal following, averaging an impressive 46,861 fans per game.
Compare these numbers to NFL attendances, and you will see that the MLS has a long way to go in terms of popularity. In 2021, the average attendance at NFL fixtures was 67,254, a three-year high.
So, it’s fair to say that the MLS is reasonably popular in the United States, but it’s a long way short of the national game and has a long way to go if it’s to compete with the popularity of American football.
Encouraging signs that the MLS is improving
Even though the MLS might not be as popular as the NFL and other major American leagues, there’s no doubt that the league has come a long way since the mid-nineties. Here are some encouraging signs that the MLS is gradually improving and becoming more popular.
More franchises
In the inaugural MLS season in 1996, just ten teams competed in the league. By the time the 2023 season kicks off, there will be 29 franchises in the competition. The most recent additions to the league are Nashville (2020), Austin (2021), and Charlotte (2022). St Louis City will join the competition in 2023.
More and more states are creating teams to join the MLS, which can only be good for the progression of soccer in the US. Arguably California is the state that has taken to soccer the best, with three teams currently competing in the state.
Still, the more franchisees that join the league, the more likely people in different states are to fall in love with the beautiful game of soccer.
Better players
North American soccer has a history of welcoming the finest players on the planet to its shores. The likes of Pele, Beckenbauer, and Kaka have all competed in America, bringing their illustrious careers to a close in style.
It’s fair to say that the draw of playing in the MLS has increased, as many players like the idea of living and playing in America. Of course, Beckham’s arrival at LA Galaxy is one of the biggest transfers in American history, but this season has seen a number of notable arrivals, too.
For instance, Real Madrid legend Gareth Bale recently agreed to a deal to join LAFC, and the Welshman is widely considered one of the finest attacking players of his generation.
If the MLS can continue to attract players of international acclaim like Gareth Bale, there’s no reason why soccer in America cannot continue increasing in popularity.
The Apple TV deal
We’ve touched on it already, but the Apple TV deal is big news for soccer in North America. Apple has agreed to a ten-year contract with MLS, which is worth $2.5 billion. It permits Apple exclusive viewing rights of MLS matches.
While the deal has been met with skepticism by some soccer fans in North America, it will undoubtedly increase the popularity of the North American game in different parts of the world.
It means that anyone with an Apple TV subscription will be able to tune into MLS fixtures, no matter where they are in the world. It’s a mouth-watering proposition for soccer fans in different parts of the world and will hopefully grow the profile of the MLS.
How does the MLS compare to the English Premier League?
The English Premier League is the most popular soccer league on the planet, and it’s the competition that everyone wants to play in. But how does it compare to the MLS?
Well, the main difference between the two leagues is that the structure is completely different. As mentioned, the MLS is a member league with franchises that cannot be promoted or relegated.
In contrast, the Premier League is fed by a number of feeder leagues that consist of teams that have worked their way up (and down) the soccer pyramid. This system of promotion and relegation is what makes the English soccer leagues so successful and popular.
Another key difference between the two leagues is that there is a lot more money in the EPL. The average salary for EPL soccer players is currently around $60,000 per week, while the average salary in MLS is approximately $9,000 per week.
As a result, the EPL is able to recruit better players and coaches, and there is a lot more money to invest in the game in general. North American soccer fans dream of the day that the MLS is as popular as the EPL, but only time will tell if it ever achieves such prevalence.
Is the MLS just a retirement league?
In recent years, the MLS has been seen as a retirement league. This is because the likes of Beckham, Kaka, Villa, Zlatan, and now Bale have all signed for MLS clubs just before the end of their careers.
It’s true that most high-profile players don’t join the MLS when they’re at the peak of their talents, and it’s most commonly a league that players consider when they can no longer compete in Europe.
However, as the MLS expands and more money flows into the league, MLS clubs will be able to attract better players by offering higher salaries. So, in the near future, we might see more top European talents come to America during the height of their careers instead of treating the MLS as a swansong.
The verdict: Will the MLS ever become a top league?
We’re optimistic that the MLS will continue increasing in popularity in the coming years. This is due to the fact that new franchises continue to launch every year and also that the Apple TV deal can grow the international audience of the league.
While the MLS has a long way to go to replicate the successes of Europe’s major leagues, we’re confident that the profile of soccer will continue to grow in North America, which is something to get excited about for fans of the beautiful game.