yukmonkey said:
The last piece for me is for major networks to carry it.
You can't inspire the young in's from CBSSN at 8:30PM on a Sunday and no advertising.
If one of these networks would get the rights for a whole qualifying cycle (I dont know how long they usually buy the rights for, I think they split up all the games. ie; world cup, wcq home,wcq away, gold cup, nations league, friendlies might all have different rights)
If that network committed to putting the games on their main broadcast channel, and then advertised it, I imagine they would get massive numbers towards the end of the cycle. The breakup of the various contests and who gets to show it probably ruins that. Also, the younger generations is more andmore likely to not have cable subs, and is more amenable to having an app. Which I imagine is harder to get a ratings # from, though I think they have developed a way to show those #s.
I think I remember reading an article recently that whoever bought the rights to WCQ this cycle got it for both home and away, which is great.