Something that has been very noticeable over the last year or two has been the rise of European Soccer and F1 in North America. At no time in my life have these sports (F1 technically motor sport) been more prominent among the mainstream sports media. In the past, soccer was an afterthought and was mostly just used as an example of how wimpy European athletes are. Diving was the only aspect of soccer that I ever remember people talking about. It was mostly just an excuse to make fun of the sport and anyone who supported it. Meanwhile, F1 literally had no following among any of my peers, and watching a full race was never a plausible thing to do on a Sunday morning. But something interesting is starting to happen. With the increase in behind the scenes look at the inner workings of both these entities (Drive to Survive, All or Nothing), the layman is finally getting an inside look beyond the surface. Never before has an average American sports fan had the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of something so foreign to them. I think part of the problem in years past is that there was no introduction to these sports. They would just be on TV and audiences were expected to just naturally pick it up. But with the introduction of reality shows, the viewer is able to learn about the intricacies and personalities that make these sports so viable as a viewing experience.
When Drive to Survive debuted a few years ago, I had very scarce knowledge of F1 and its allure. The introduction to the sport that this show provided created an authentic interest in following up with the sport. This was mainly because I was given a proper reason to want to follow it. The show gave me an inside look at the true bad-assness, gluttony, skill and downright excitement that F1 provides. By learning about the players involved, the histories, the drama and the sheer logistics of an F1 race, I was instantly mesmerized and found myself wanting to follow the sport more closely. As streaming services continue to grow, I expect more and more casual fans to take a closer look at F1 and have a real opportunity to latch on to it.
Soccer is a little different as it is not a completely foreign entity in the zeitgeist of American sport. However, it had never been brought up in main conversations on talk shows, podcasts or blogs. The ability to look behind the scenes and see the true magnificence of European soccer has transformed the idea of soccer from one of ridicule and sheer boredom, to one of true appreciation. Now I’m not saying that it is anywhere near basketball, football or even baseball… but it is undeniable that it is beginning to break through in a way that has never been seen before. Access to shows like All or Nothing provide the casual fan the inside look at what soccer truly is. Its not just turning on a random game on a Saturday morning and seeing people dive all over the place. Instead, there is a bit of context and a reason to stay tuned in to learn more.
As these sports continue to cross over into the mainstream, it can be expected that the American viewer see the personalities show up on more mediums to discuss and introduce themselves. As more reality shows come available, more casual viewers will inevitably be sucked in, in a way never before possible. I expect the popularity of these sports to continue to grow at a rapid pace as the knowledge gap is being whittled down hourly… about the length of time it takes to watch an episode of All or Nothing or Drive to Survive.
While there is still a bridge to gap, I think the days of knowing soccer as the game of the divers, and F1 as the pointless racing, are fast becoming legitimate entities with true fandom and passion. With a proper introduction, there is no reason why these sports can’t fully crossover and become mainstream. This is only the beginning. Don’t be surprised if in 10 years, fantasy sport players start up an F1 league or a Premier League survivor league. These are early days, and the future is bright… with the globe becoming more connected by sport than ever before.
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