The Politics of the World Cup and Soccer Enthusiasm

Dignitas News Service ^ | July 1, 2014 | Paul M Winters

[dignitasnews]

A poll conducted in the days leading up to the United States extra-time defeat against Belgium confirmed the suspicions of various conservative pundits that soccer is by and large a liberal past-time, but the poll also indicated that the sports growth may rest with southern members of the GOP. YouGov looked at the demographics of soccer enthusiasm in the United States, specifically at the breakdown of fans based on politics, region and race, prior to as well as in the midst of Americans quadrennial World Cup love affair. The study found that Democrats are more likely to follow soccer as a favored sport, but that Republicans accounted for a larger share of new enthusiasts as a result of increased attention brought on by the World Cup.

Prior to the World Cup, YouGov concluded, 30 percent of Americans followed soccer closely during the 2014 World Cup, compared to only 18 percent who consider themselves full-time fans of the sport. 21 percent of Democrats followed the sport prior to the international competition in Brazil, compared to only 13 percent of Republicans, however self-identified members of the party of Abraham Lincoln were more likely to have caught "soccer fever" in recent weeks with 28 percent of the GOP following the World Cup, a net increase of 15 percent, as opposed to the 11 percent increase in Democratic Party enthusiasm. Among the overall United States population the sport has seen an increase of 12 percent in those following soccer closely, with 30 percent of Americans engaged in the tournament, as opposed to the 18 percent who consider themselves regular "futbal" fans. The image charts detail enthusiasm levels for soccer by party identification, the first being those who followed the sports very or somewhat closely regardless of season, the second that of Americans closely following the World Cup action in Brazil and the final detailing the growth in enthusiasm between the two, among voters of the Democratic Party and Republican Party, self-identified independent voters and all Americans.

There are a number of theories floating around the blogosphere as to the differences in enthusiasm across ideology, all with various degrees of both truth and hyperbole. Generally speaking, conservatives tend to have a higher level of enthusiasm for sports than do liberals, which is confirmed in the metric of those who are not following the sport at all. While Democrats favor soccer more than Republicans, liberal voters are also more likely to have absolutely no interest, by a count of 63 percent to 61 in general and 45 percent during the World Cup against the 40 percent of Republicans who don't follow at all. These trends run consistent to those other sports such as football, basketball and baseball although the gaps are even higher. Soccer enthusiasm, for some, is as much a cultural stance as is it an entertainment pursuit. If one looks at the breakdown of fans who cite they follow the sport "very closely" regardless of season, Democrats and Republicans are nearly identical, but the Democratic Party advantage comes with he casual fans. This could be a juxtaposed reaction to the legion of conservative football and NASCAR fans or a reflection of the left-wing's tendency toward a more "Euro-centric" viewpoint and an aversion to American exceptionalism.

Racial, ethnic and wealth come into play as well, which explains the higher overall level of soccer enthusiasm among Democrats. Over the past few decades, the Democratic Party has increasingly reflected a membership that is concentrated in urban areas, consisting primarily of wealthier whites along with working class and poorer minorities. Their reliance on these groups has gained in importance as they have been unable to address the needs of middle class Americans of all stripes. Republicans in this time have made gains among the middle class white population, frustrated by Progressive-liberal policies which have granted more powers to the Federal Government and favored larger corporations over small and independent business. The GOP has also made inroads among middle class and upper income Latino's who consider themselves Americans first and of Hispanic heritage second. While this group embraces soccer with great enthusiasm, the Republican-leaning Latinos are more likely to choose football, baseball or basketball as their sport of choice. Among the primarily Spanish-speaking Hispanic population, they tend to lean heavily toward Democrats and soccer.

During the World Cup or otherwise, Hispanics are by far the most loyal followers of soccer. 36 percent of Latinos identified themselves as regular soccer followers, double that of the overall population, while this figure jumped to 47 percent as World Cup fever took hold (against 30 percent of total population). One surprising aspect of the YouGov poll was that more black Americans consider themselves soccer enthusiasts than those of Caucasian heritage. While 27 percent of white Americans are following the World Cup closely, one-third of blacks say they are following the matches in Brazil. This holds true even without the benefit of the world's most recognized international tournament, as 20 percent of blacks say they follow the game closely, as opposed to the 16 percent of white Americans.

Another relatively surprising insight provided by YouGov's poll was the regional differences in enthusiasm. Although its not entirely surprising that the West had the highest interest level of soccer, with 28 percent avid followers of the sport at any given time and 36 percent during the World Cup, that the South came in second with 21 and 35 percent interest goes somewhat against conventional wisdom. Despite a richer history of soccer participation, particularly among the upper crust populations of New England, the Northeast was only third, with 23 percent following the World Cup closely and 12 percent who follow the sport year-round. The Midwest region has the lowest level of interest in soccer, with only 21 percent closely following the World Cup and eight percent otherwise.

For a sport looking to increase its place among the American athletic hierarchy, the leadership of soccer would be wise to analyze these numbers closely. The initial takeaways would suggest that a concerted effort to increase the sports reach within black inner city neighborhoods and Southern Republican strongholds may bear fruit in its pursuit for larger crowds and better athletes willing to pursue soccer as their sport of choice. Outside of Texas and Florida, the MLS currently has no teams in the southern states, something they may wish to reflect upon given the college football and basketball prowess of both the SEC and ACC conferences based on the South. While the politics and demographics of soccer are not as pronounced as some pundits would believe, they do exist and as World Cup enthusiasm dies down, the decision makers of the sport would be wise to reflect upon this.

Commentary by Paul M Winters Editor in Chief, Dignitas News Service

Sources:

YouGovToday YouGov

[skeeter]

Soccer, like gay marriage, is just something I’m never going to go in for.

[Olog-hai]

In Eireann, we called soccer “the foreign game”. Gaelic football was way more popular, as was rugby.

[1rudeboy]

Ok, so how many people were polled? Can’t find it.

[Ray76]

>> During the World Cup or otherwise, Hispanics are by far the most loyal followers of soccer. 36 percent of Latinos identified themselves as regular soccer followers, double that of the overall population, while this figure jumped to 47 percent as World Cup fever took hold (against 30 percent of total population).

No way! You’re kidding /s

[Doctor 2Brains]

I said it before: soccer may or may not be a gift from God Almighty himself, it may be the quickest and ONLY way to Heaven, BUT... Liberals love it ONLY because Americans have not embraced it and France has. And for that reason, I will never embrace it. BTW, liberals HATE football with a burning, Satanic passion because it is HUGE, it is AMERICAN, and it is FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL on a Biblical scale.

[1rudeboy]

I see soccer as more of a sport that makes you feel superior about yourself.

[Nuc 1.1]

Yawn.

[miss marmelstein]

I agree with everything you say. Oddly enough, Bob Beckel was denouncing soccer today with all the strength in his oversized body. I was shocked! Pleasantly shocked. The attempted destruction of football by libs scares me to death. I’m worried they’re going to legislate it out of existence.

[Doctor 2Brains]

That’s how liberals see it for sure. France loves it, America does not, therefore it MUST be great.

[1rudeboy]

And don’t forget the flip side of the coin. You feel superior for not liking it.

[1rudeboy]

It’s funny to watch “conservatives” twist themselves into pretzels in order to convince themselves not to cheer for the USA in a sporting event. Don’t care about Beckel.

[safeasthebanks]

No, those “ tough guy” ex-players are going to destroy the NFL via their lawsuits, like a bunch of pansy leftists. Soccer wll be the only man’s sport left.

[Doctor 2Brains]

You do realize that libs have a burning desire to coopt the popular culture? Surely you would not ever deny that in 100 billion trillion years. Movies, tv, books, music, etc. Do you honestly believe that liberals have, or would ever, neglect sports? Liberals hate football with a frenzy that Satan would admire, and they love soccer just as passionately for the same reasons. Americans do not care about soccer, and the French do, therefore the libs ram it down our throats, violently, passionately, and frequently. Now, notice, this train of thought says NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING about soccer itself. Soccer may or may not be sent from Heaven, but liberals love it and promote it because they HATE America. You can like or love soccer; that’s fine. I like wine, even though liberals like it because the French do. But I DO recognize that there are people out there who “like” wine and soccer only because Americans like beer and football.

[skeeter]

Not so much superior as not as easily led.

[Doctor 2Brains]

Yes! Libs are out to destroy football, because it is AMERICAN, it is SUCCESSFUL on a GIGANTIC, AMERICAN SCALE, and it is violent.

[1rudeboy]

Get a friggin’ grip. It’s a sport. You are not going to wake up tomorrow with a soccer player under your bed.

[miss marmelstein]

And people get concussions. And then brain damage! As if football players had that much brain power to begin with. We actually have stupid, wealthy ex-players condemning the game. It’s sick.

[Doctor 2Brains]

Get a grip. I never said I would wake up with an SP under my bed. You can like soccer, you can love soccer, but if you do not recognize that libs love soccer because Americans, as a whole, do not, and the French do, then you are not very perceptive.