Quote:
Originally Posted by KurtBevacqua
I have to disagree on this. I think Americans enjoy watching the best quality the sport has to offer, not the best quality of American athletes. Suppose more Japanese and Latino players came into the US, I suspect Japan would get much more angry than America. In fact I think there would be a significant backlash in the US against "Americanizing" the game. First you would have special interest groups claiming discrimmination and then you would have fans in Cleveland or LA or whatever good team is made up predominantely of foreigners saying "No way," to proposed roster changes. You also have to consider a "free market" way of doing things is so ingrained into the American psyche as compared to England that I really do think America would outright reject "Americanizing" pro sports leagues.
Now granted, MLS has a provision for it, and that is a different animal altogether as it was intended to be a sort of developmental league to begin with. It was never seriously intended to be in direct competition with the great football leagues of the world. It's purpose was to promote growth of the game in America, not be the pre-eminent league of its kind. Besides it's not exactly in the same company as the NBA, NHL, or MLB. It's hardly a blip on the American sporting landscape.
|
Hrm, it's just some people in UK worrying about the development of sports in their own players, because 50% of the pro players are foreigners.
Considering people are already complaining a lot about and doing a lot for the low percentage of black players in MLB, I don't see how your point.
There surely will be some people in the US, as the equivalent of some people in UK right now, worrying and talking about the development of sports if 50% pro league players are foreigners.