tour

[Ryan]

Winning the Tour is on par with winning the Super Bowl or NBA Championship as far as money goes. But what most Americans don’t know is that cycling is the second biggest sport in the world (only second to soccer). So while winning the Tour does not net that much money in its self, the endorsements and such are in the MILLIONS!

 

[I.P. Freley]

Okay, I'll bite...

When you say "the second biggest sport in the world", on what basis do you make this claim? Attendance? Purses? TV audience?

 

[Flying Illini]

I hadn't heard that cycling was #2 though I had heard that soccer was #1. If the basis was attendance I would have to say that Nascar is #1...but I don't know what the rankings are based on.

 

[Ryan]

I.P. F.

Good Questions. I really can’t answer them. I brag about it only because I race bikes myself and I heard those facts some years ago. Id have to assume that it’s based on attendance alone. An average tour route consists of 100+ miles lines with fans 2-3 deep. So you do the math. It comes to something quite more than any super bowl or basketball title can compete with. I say this even though Ive been a Celtic fan since the Bird years!

Sorry about the post though, it was supposed to be under another thread. No flame bait intended!

Ryan

 

[I.P. Freley]

Didn't take it as flamebait.

I was just under the impression (and no, a quick survey of the hits on Google didn't give me an answer) that the number one sport worldwide (based on TV audience) was "football", as the rest of the world knows it. Second would be Formula 1 auto racing. Third? Couldn't tell ya. I wouldn't be stunned if it were bicycle racing, but I would be surprised.

For all you NASCAR fans (and fans of other US-based sports/series), keep in mind that the rest of the world, which accounts for 95% of the population, has different tastes than the rest of us and NASCAR and "American" football don't really appeal to a world audience like they do here.

 

[Ryan]

Mr. Freley,

Great job on the F1 stat. One of my favorite things to watch on TV and I forgot all about it. As you and I know it really comes down to what you like to watch. Whether it be NFL, NBA, NASCAR or cycling its all in the eye of the beholder.

Just so you know though my favorite driver is J. Gordon. I really hope that wont come between us!!!

Ryan

 

[DoinTime]

Winning the Tour is on par with winning the Super Bowl or NBA Championship as far as money goes. But what most Americans don’t know is that cycling is the second biggest sport in the world (only second to soccer). So while winning the Tour does not net that much money in its self, the endorsements and such are in the MILLIONS!

The Tour is not on par with the Super Bowl or NBA Championships. Either of those aren't even sporting events compared to the Tour, mearly games. I haven't keep up with the statistics but years ago the Tour used to be the largest sporting event in terms of live attendance in the world with over 30 million spectators coming out to gaze upon the immortals over the course of the race and nearly 1 billion fans keep up with race results through the media. I know the World Cup has grown considerably over the years and it may be gaining ground in live attendance through the long tournament schedule. Media readership of the World Cup by far eclipses even the Tour though.

I believe cycling is the #2 sport worldwide (behind soccer) in terms of fan participation and that's what its really all about.

 

[dmspilot00]

If the basis was attendance I would have to say that Nascar is #1...but I don't know what the rankings are based on.

So "National Association of Stock Car Racing" events are the #1 sporting event in the world? Ok! Btw, AOPA always says that in America, Baseball is #1 and Airshows are #2.