MLS average attendance higher than NBA and NHL

The new MLS season has gotten off to a strong start with average attendance surpassing that of the NBA and NHL. Here are the numbers, courtesy of MLS Daily:

1. NFL – 67,508.69 (2009 season)

2. MLB – 30,213.37 (2009 season)

3. MLS – 18,452.14 (2010 season, as of 04/11/2010)

4. NBA – 17,149.61 (2009/10 season)

5. NHL – 16,985.31 (2009/10 season)

Some will try and downplay this by saying the league still isn’t making any money, but why kill the good vibe? Fans are starting to pour in and, most importantly, they’re remaining loyal.

The league got off to a poor start, losing $350 million between its inception in 1993 and 2004. It dealt with two failed franchises (Miami and Tampa Bay), and stuck many of its teams in football stadiums. We learned a couple things during those formative years: 1) Florida wants nothing to do with professional soccer, and 2) The game doesn’t look inviting when over half the stadium is empty. Thankfully, the league and team owners wised up, building smaller stadiums and targeting smaller markets for expansion. These decisions have cut away at the massive debt, but the league still has a long way to go.

This is where profit comes into play. With just 16 teams playing 30 games over a full season — with tickets prices that cost significantly less compared to the NBA and NHL — it’s no surprise that revenue isn’t overwhelming. The strong numbers at the season’s onset are a positive sign, but they are slightly deceptive. Obviously, opening day attendance is going to be high, and history has shown they will go down as the season progresses. When considering the NBA or NHL, those leagues have over 50 mores games on their schedule, allowing for greater profits. Also, the majority of MLS games take place on the weekend, making it convenient for a family event when coupled with the low costs. That’s great, but the league doesn’t have the elasticity to raise ticket prices, hold more games during the middle of the week, or add a couple more to the schedule. At least not yet.