There is a changing landscape in the world of American sports. The sports that were popular at the start of the 20th century are not at the top of the heap of the 21st century. But it doesn't take a century to change the most popular sports and the ones that our society as a whole has an interest in. Decades and even just a few years can be enough to change the sporting landscape, sometimes due to luck, great timing or just a few shining and captivating moments.
Baseball, boxing and horseracing were the most popular sports in the country around the beginning of the 20th century. Out of these three, only baseball is still a major sport today and even it has seen its status fall - baseball now has to vie for the attention of fans with faster paced, more television oriented sports.
Boxing's popularity tends to go in cycles, with an increase in its popularity from the 1960s to the 1980, largely on the fame of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler. Boxing is now on the decline, battling a serious image problem and a shrinking television audience.
Few sports have seen their fortunes decline more so than horseracing. Once one of the most popular sports, it is now only something people notice during the Triple Crown Races. After these races, the sport is off the radar of most fans until the following season.
Golf, hockey and tennis have also lost their luster with American fans. While Wayne Gretzky's popularity once boosted hockey into the top tier of American sports, it's fan base is now largely limited to cities with a NHL franchise. In many parts of the country, NHL matches are not even televised, which certainly hasn't made matters any better. Tennis is a sport which younger fans barely notice and golf is mostly limited to a small older audience - other than Tiger Woods, few people can name any professional golfers!
A single star player or one famous event can lead to popularity or obscurity for a sport. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is the latest sport to come to the attention of the public, with a particularly large following among younger people.
MMA was thought of as too violent and too crazy. But when the UFC hosted their reality show two fighters in the finale put on an amazing fight. They displayed unheard levels of heart and grit. The fight propelled the sport into the mainstream all by itself. All it takes for a sport is a few minutes like this, one player, one event, which can completely change its place in society.
So how will the world of American sports change over the next few years, the next few decades and even the next century? It's impossible to predict. While today's powerhouses like the NFL seem unstoppable, it was not but 50 years ago when the NFL didn't even exist and Major League Baseball was the first, second and third choice for a young child's favorite sport. Anything can happen in the world of sports and it can happen at any time.
Baseball, boxing and horseracing were the most popular sports in the country around the beginning of the 20th century. Out of these three, only baseball is still a major sport today and even it has seen its status fall - baseball now has to vie for the attention of fans with faster paced, more television oriented sports.
Boxing's popularity tends to go in cycles, with an increase in its popularity from the 1960s to the 1980, largely on the fame of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler. Boxing is now on the decline, battling a serious image problem and a shrinking television audience.
Few sports have seen their fortunes decline more so than horseracing. Once one of the most popular sports, it is now only something people notice during the Triple Crown Races. After these races, the sport is off the radar of most fans until the following season.
Golf, hockey and tennis have also lost their luster with American fans. While Wayne Gretzky's popularity once boosted hockey into the top tier of American sports, it's fan base is now largely limited to cities with a NHL franchise. In many parts of the country, NHL matches are not even televised, which certainly hasn't made matters any better. Tennis is a sport which younger fans barely notice and golf is mostly limited to a small older audience - other than Tiger Woods, few people can name any professional golfers!
A single star player or one famous event can lead to popularity or obscurity for a sport. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is the latest sport to come to the attention of the public, with a particularly large following among younger people.
MMA was thought of as too violent and too crazy. But when the UFC hosted their reality show two fighters in the finale put on an amazing fight. They displayed unheard levels of heart and grit. The fight propelled the sport into the mainstream all by itself. All it takes for a sport is a few minutes like this, one player, one event, which can completely change its place in society.
So how will the world of American sports change over the next few years, the next few decades and even the next century? It's impossible to predict. While today's powerhouses like the NFL seem unstoppable, it was not but 50 years ago when the NFL didn't even exist and Major League Baseball was the first, second and third choice for a young child's favorite sport. Anything can happen in the world of sports and it can happen at any time.
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