Will WebTV Bring Soccer To The US?

My perception is that there is an interest in soccer in the US, despite the lack of broadcast on TV. Kids grow up playing soccer and then are often forced into another college related sport as they hit their late teens. European cup games remain popular as do the touring famous European sides in summer. And, maybe most importantly, the growing Hispanic population retain the sporting interests of the countries they or their parents came from. That sporting interest lies normally with the most popular sport in the world: soccer.

The problem is that the US TV sporting seasons crushes out any chance for soccer to become a valued national sport. The monopoly insists we watch American football, basketball and baseball. But as web TV begins to take a grip will that all change?

Britain’s BSkyB network has secured the rights to show Europe’s Champion’s League games live as part of "a revolutionary experiment by governing body Uefa to increase the number of people watching games live over the internet." The TV is only aimed at UK viewers but, in today’s Mash Culture, we can’t see that being too strictly enforced.

So the big question is: with improved video technologies, broadband use and BitTorrent will soccer viewership and popularity greatly increase not only in Europe but around the globe?

Guardian Article