Professional sports are a billion-dollar industry. Fans around the world tune in to watch their favorite teams compete, and the earnings of the top teams and players continue to rise. But not all sports are created equal. Although the four major American pro leagues, the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, all command a substantial following, they also have their differences. Some sports are more popular than others. Others are growing at a faster rate, as well as generating more revenue from ticket sales and sponsorships.
Depending on your audience and resources as an athlete or business owner, one sport might be more suitable for you than another. Here’s a breakdown of which sports make the most money among American audiences today.
Sports Betting Legalization in the USA
In the United States, sports betting was in a state of limbo for many years. This was due to a federal sports betting ban dating back to the 1970s. Despite the popularity of sports betting among Americans, many lawmakers and organizations have long argued that sports betting would have a negative impact on society. Specifically, many had concerns about issues related to corruption, underage gambling, and other potential problems.
However, in recent years, the tide has turned in favor of the legalization of sports betting. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled that the ban was unconstitutional in May 2018. At this time, individual states will have the option to legalize sports betting within their jurisdictions. As a result, many states like the California sports betting ballot initiatives are now rushing to enact legislation at the behest of sports leagues and gambling companies. Bettors, therefore, should keep an eye on the news to stay up to date with the latest on sports betting legalization in the USA.
NFL
The National Football League is America’s largest and most popular sports league. It is also the most lucrative sports league in America, bringing in nearly $14 billion in revenue in 2017. The NFL has succeeded in large part due to its strong brand and fan base. The league has cultivated a loyal following over many years and has become ingrained in American culture and identity. The NFL is also America’s most popular sport in terms of attendance.
Over 78 million people tuned in to watch an NFL game this past season. Thus, many of these viewers are also likely to attend games in person. In fact, the average NFL stadium sold out all of its home games this past year. The NFL has another significant advantage — it’s by far the most profitable sports league in the country. In terms of average revenue per team, the NFL far outclasses MLB, the NBA, and the NHL. NFL teams averaged $367 million in revenue this past season, while MLB averaged $288 million, NBA teams averaged $265 million, and NHL franchises averaged $187 million.
MLB
The MLB has always been one of the most popular American sports. However, it has recently gained a lot of attention due to some exciting young stars and the signing of two new teams. The MLB is also the most lucrative sports league among America’s children, specifically boys ages six through 12. The MLB is likely to continue to attract this demographic in the future as young fans grow up and begin to follow the sport. The MLB is also the second most popular league among American adults.
This popularity may be due in part to the fact that many MLB teams are located in large metropolitan areas. As a result, these cities have large populations of potential fans. In addition, since MLB is such a widely popular league, most of its teams are financially stable. In fact, the average MLB team brought in $237 million in revenue this past season.
NBA
Although the NBA is America’s second most popular sports league, it generates the most negligible revenue of the four major sports leagues in the country. The NBA brought in less than half the revenue of the MLB and less than a third of what the NFL brought in this past season. The NBA may struggle due to the fact that it only has 30 teams — the fewest of any major sports league in America. In addition, many NBA teams are based in smaller markets (e.g., Indiana, New York, and Chicago). Larger markets that host MLB, NFL, and NHL franchises may be less inclined to support NBA teams.
The NBA may soon be able to reverse its fortunes, however, as the league has been signing some of the top athletes in the world to play for their teams. The most notable example is LeBron James, who signed a $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. In addition, NBA owners may also be willing to increase player salaries in the near future, which could lead to higher profits for the league.
NHL
The NHL is the smallest and least popular sports league in America. It also generates the least revenue of any major sports league in the country. NHL teams averaged only $187 million in revenue this past season. Although the NHL has a loyal fan base, the league has struggled to attract new fans in recent years. In addition, many of the NHL’s most recognizable stars, including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Steve Yzerman, retired in recent years. The NHL also signed a contract with ESPN in 2004 to air its games on ESPN 2.
This contract expired in 2011 and was not renewed, which may have led to decreased viewership and awareness among American audiences. The NHL may soon be able to turn its fortunes around, however, as the league has recently signed a contract with NBC to air its games on NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. This ESPN-Esque deal may lead to increased viewership and awareness of the NHL among American audiences.
Soccer
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, but it has a much smaller presence in America. Despite this, soccer generates the most revenue of any of the major sports leagues in the United States. A major reason for this is that soccer teams in America are much more profitable than other sports franchises. For example, soccer teams in America averaged $133 million in revenue this past season, compared to $103 million for MLB franchises and $90 million for NBA teams.
This is partly due to the fact that soccer teams in the United States generate most of their revenue from ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise. Therefore, soccer teams are able to keep more money from each game than other sports franchises do. Additionally, soccer is the only major sport that is played outside. This allows soccer teams to play games year-round instead of having to wait for the weather to warm up or cool down. It also allows soccer teams to generate revenue year-round instead of having to wait until the weather is conducive to hosting games.
Conclusion
Overall, the NFL is America’s most popular, most lucrative, and most profitable sport. The NBA is second in terms of popularity, while the MLB and NHL trail behind in terms of revenue. If you’re an athlete or a business owner, selecting a sport to compete in or promote can be challenging. It’s essential to understand how much each sport brings in and which ones are most popular among the American audience. After all, choosing a sport that brings in little revenue and isn’t followed by many people makes little sense.
