Sports in the United States
[2] The market for professional sports in the United States is about $69 billion, roughly 50% larger than that of all of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa combined.
Although American football does not have a substantial following in other nations, the NFL does have the highest average attendance (67,254) of any professional sports league in the world.
[6] Based on Olympic Games, World Championships, and other major competitions in respective sports, the United States is the most successful nation in the world in baseball, basketball, athletics, swimming, lacrosse, beach volleyball, figure skating, golf, boxing, diving, shooting, rowing and snowboarding, and is one of the top five most successful nations in tennis, ice hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, speed skating, alpine skiing, bobsleigh, equestrian, sailing, cycling, weightlifting and archery, among others.
[18] Up until the American Civil War, cricket was a somewhat popular sport in the United States, with presidents such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln having played or watched the game.
If all of Germany's and Russia's incarnations are combined, the United States slips to fourth in the all-time Winter Olympic Games table.
[26] Golf's origins can be traced back to 15th century Scotland, where players would hit a pebble around sandy dunes using a stick or primitive club.
Legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have left a lasting mark on the sport, while talents such as Scottie Scheffler and Rory Mcllroy continue to shine.
More recently, Lexi Thompson has emerged as a top player, winning multiple LPGA events, including a major championship.
Another prominent figure is Jack Dempsey, a heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926, known for his fierce, fast-paced fighting style that captivated fans and made him one of the most popular athletes of his time.
[30][31][32][33] Louis is widely regarded as the first person of African-American descent to achieve the status of a nationwide hero within the United States, and was also a focal point of anti-Nazi sentiment leading up to and during World War II.
[35][36][37] Boxing in the 21st century has experienced a decline in mainstream appeal, largely due to the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA) and the dominance of other major sports.
The sport faces several challenges, including a fragmented organizational structure, safety concerns for athletes, and ongoing controversies surrounding matches and governance.
As of 2021, boxing participation in the United States reached approximately 6.7 million people, indicating a robust growth in the sport's popularity.
In the early years (1900-1940s), the game gained popularity with top schools like Yale and Harvard, and conferences such as the Big Ten and SEC were formed.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, legendary coaches like Bear Bryant and Knute Rockne shaped the game, and the integration of African American players began to break racial barriers.
By the end of the century, college football had become a major part of American culture, with game days and traditions uniting fans and communities across the nation.
Nonetheless, college football has a rich history in the United States, predating the NFL by decades, and fans and alumni are generally very passionate about their teams.
The 1970s saw further expansion and the rise of dominant teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the 1980s and 1990s were characterized by increased commercialization, lucrative television contracts, and the emergence of star players.
By the end of the 20th century, the NFL had firmly established itself as the most popular sport in the United States, with the Super Bowl becoming one of the most-watched events globally.
Some of the most notable include: Red Grange, Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown, Vince Lombardi, Joe Namath and Terry Bradshaw.
In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, becoming the first African American player in MLB, marking a pivotal moment in both sports and civil rights.
The 1950s and 1960s saw MLB expand with the relocation of teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants to California, while stars like Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and Willie Mays became household names.
Despite the 1994 strike that canceled the World Series, the 1998 home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa revived interest in the sport.
By the end of the century, MLB had firmly established itself as America’s pastime, with a rich history shaped by legendary players and transformative events.
In the 1960s, the NBA gained wider popularity, driven by the fierce rivalry between the Boston Celtics, led by Bill Russell, and the Los Angeles Lakers, featuring stars like Jerry West and Elgin Baylor.
The league features a blend of American and international talent, with players from countries like Australia, Bosnia, and Canada making significant contributions.
At the same time, 26 D-I and 31 D-II members sponsored men's volleyball at the National Collegiate level, defined for the purposes of that sport as the combination of Divisions I and II.
[90][91][92] The most practiced college sports, measured by NCAA reporting on varsity team participation,[93] are: (1) football (64,000), (2) baseball/softball (47,000), (3) track and field (46,000),[94] (4) soccer (43,000), (5) basketball (32,000), (6) cross-country running (25,000), and (7) swimming/diving (20,000).
Broadcasters also covet the television contracts for the major sports leagues (especially in the case of the NFL) in order to amplify their ability to promote their programming to the audience, especially young and middle-aged adult males.
[111] The following table shows the major sports leagues, professional and collegiate, which average over 15,000 fans per game and that have a national TV contract that pays rights fees.
