Which major sports do you consider relevant in the US?

[Pappy13]

A few quality hockey movies off the top of my head:

* Miracle
* Slap Shot
* The Mighty Ducks
* Mystery, Alaska

* Youngblood wasn't too bad. I liked it.

[Brian Fein]

Canadian currency has pictures of hockey players on it.

Which country's currency has pictures of MMA fighters on it?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Canadian currency has pictures of hockey players on it.

Which country's currency has pictures of MMA fighters on it?

Not particularly relevant to the question of "relevant in US"

question was not about world wide popularity or even north America, just US. 

[Dave Gray]

Even as an MMA fan, I find it hard to say that it's more popular than hockey.  In some demographics, maybe, and in some areas, maybe....but country-wide, I don't think you can make that case yet.  However, that's not to say that it can't pass it in popularity.

Do you think that MMA can surpass hockey in popularity in the US?  And if so, how long will it take?  And will it last?

[Brian Fein]

At the risk of getting flamed out of the building, I think MMA is a fad, to be honest.  Hockey has been around for decades.  I think MMA is probably at its peak now, or maybe a couple of years from now, but I think in 15 years, no one will care about it.

So, no, I don't think, on the large scale (nationwide) that MMA will ever surpass hockey.  I think hockey appeals to a much larger demographic in general.

I wonder how this thread will turn around if the Florida Panthers should ever enjoy sustained success (thus affecting the south Florida market and the perception thereof).

[Dave Gray]

^ I disagree that UFC is a fad.

I think it's here to stay.  We have had boxing popular for a long, long time and even tied to history (civil rights, etc.)  I think that MMA is the logical progression of that.

Also, gladiator-type sports have been popular in almost every culture, forever.  This is another of those.

[Brian Fein]

Do you think that people will be wearing Tapout and Affliction t-shirts in 15 years?

[fyo]

The biggest risk with MMA is the organization itself. Boxing has no credibility because of the shady structure of the organizations controlling it and that has played a large part in its decline. MMA clearly has an opportunity to fill much of the same space that boxing previously occupied.

I do think the structure of UMC is a huge issue, though, and I think it's a mistake to make it PPV -- that seems very short-sighted to me. At this stage, it's critical to grow the audience as much as possible. It's also too much like boxing and wrestling. At this point, UMC needs to be credible and to do that, they need to be the "anti-boxing".

[Dave Gray]

Do you think that people will be wearing Tapout and Affliction t-shirts in 15 years?

Probably Tapout, but these are brands, anyway.  I bet that people will be wearing something related to the sport, still.   It's like asking if people will be wearing Puma in 15 years as to judge the state of the NFL.  It's not really relevant.

UFC marketing is going to be a lot closer to Nascar, Tennis, or WWE, over team sports, like hockey or football.  Brands and individual posters and endorsements are going to be the revenue model.

[Brian Fein]

Tapout didn't exist before UFC, and its popularity is directly related to that of the sport.  Puma is a shoe company that happens to make stuff for NFL (or used to, anyway).  This is not really a comparison.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

Here's another point to get your guys' eyes rolling at me. . .

Facebook "likes" ( lol )

--------------------------------------------

NHL - 1,733,556

UFC - 5,950,142


What does this mean?  Probably nothing but I think calling MMA a fad is a bit of an exaggeration. 

Btw, I want to get into hockey.  It's fast paced sport which requires hella skill and huge balls a small puck to play.

Oh, and Canadians LOVE them some MMA too.  I read somewhere they beat out the US per capita in regards to MMA fans.  Bad mouth GSP to one of them and see what happens.   

[Tenshot13]

Here's another point to get your guys' eyes rolling at me. . .

Facebook "likes" ( lol )

--------------------------------------------

NHL - 1,733,556

UFC - 5,950,142


What does this mean?  Probably nothing but I think calling MMA a fad is a bit of an exaggeration. 

Btw, I want to get into hockey.  It's fast paced sport which requires hella skill and huge balls a small puck to play.

Oh, and Canadians LOVE them some MMA too.  I read somewhere they beat out the US per capita in regards to MMA fans.  Bad mouth GSP to one of them and see what happens.  

  Who would want to bad mouth GSP...dude is a beast!

[Brian Fein]

Who the hell is GSP?

[Sunstroke]

^^^ Thanks, Brian...I was about to ask the same thing.

[Brian Fein]

Guru - If you want to get into hockey, get yourself some "good" seats and go to a game.  Watching it on TV won't "get you into it" because the commercials interrupt stuff too much and lose interest.  I recommend finding a local hockey team (NHL if possible) and just go to a game.  You'll be hooked...