Why isn't rugby popular in the U.S.?

Question

Why isn't rugby popular in the U.S.?

Answer 1

To many other popular sports.

And they have american football which is basicallt rugby with a twist and alot of padding.

Whhooses

Answer 2

It's a shame sure..but there are about a dozen bigger markets for the game to exploit.... China, Russia etc..

Answer 3

Here are a few reasons why I feel it won't become popular in the U.S., at least anytime soon.

One main reason is there is very little television coverage. I have to pay $15.00 a month for a special sport channel to even be able to view games.

If ESPN, FOX sports or even the networks took the time and money to give it exposure, then it may generate more fan interest. However, I don't believe that they will invest in airing the sport in the near future if it isn't going to generate income for them with advertising revenue. It would be very difficult to compete with Baseball, Football and Basketball.

Also, a major professional Rugby League would have to become established in the U.S. to help gain exposure. However, it would have the same problem the MLS (Major League Soccer) has, which is trying to get the best players in the world, while in their prime to play in the U.S.

It would also be hard for High Schools and Colleges to establish Rugby as a main sport as it would have to compete with Football and Soccer for the best players.

I personally hope that Rugby becomes more popular in the U.S. as I find it a very entertaining sport.

Answer 4

rugby has to compete with american football- thats why its not as popular.  It will never be as big as American football here in the states. Rugby is growing but its a ways off... rugby is just now entering SOME high schools in some areas of the country!! Many people don’t know what it is until college. I had someone tell me, “I like horses!,” when I told her I played rugby…thinking it was polo. most colleges have teams. The average rugby player in the states is college educated and over the age of 21. We are professionals, lawyers, teachers, dr’s, accountants, nuclear technician instructors, etc….playing club rugby still! The USA Eagles National Team only get together before big matches to train for a short time. They play in club teams in their home towns and most are either students or have real time jobs. Most were found by participation in national playoffs of select sides from their club’s union team. They paid their own way to Rugby World Cup. Some play professionally overseas. they are true amatuers.

yes, in usa, ruggers have to compete with american football. and rugby is not televised here at all. this, as ive said many times before, is due mostly to lack of advertisement time- bottom line- if given a choice of am football or rugby- a network would be insane to choose rugby just due to ad time. Have any of you ever watched an american football televised game??... its a complete sensory overload of sound effects, visual effects, songs at the stadium, commentating, etc... they have to make the game SEEM interesting just to keep the audience- everytime the score comes on screen- its a loud swooshing sound and sparkles across the screen- its insane. i cant stand it!!! American football only appears to be bigger, faster, and harder hitting sport because of the visual effects, I think!

youth rugby programs havent really taken off like soccer has because mothers seem to think rugby is more dangerous- but we also need to reduce the stereotype of drunken hooligans and dykey lesbians playing the sport in order for it to be attractive to mothers... we do this by being positively involved in our communities.  more youth are getting interested in rugby as more progrmas are introduced, however most are students that didn't make the football team, soccer team, basketball, etc...The diversity of different types of players and different skills levels will be helpful in developing youth rugby teams.  

Where I live, the city wont even let us rent a field to practice on. We squat on a piece of a park field and fight off all the soccer players. In the winter, when its darker earlier, we’ll have to pull up all the cars and turn on headlights. We need to get our communities supporting us= we do this by first supporting the communities.

The key to growth is going to be developing a youth program, increasing awareness of rugby through positive involvement in communities, and getting some kind of televised events (I’d settle for world cup scores or highlights for now!)

Rugby won’t ever be as popular as American football here, but I believe we can pull together a world class team and get out of the “minnow” stage very quickly. If we’d concentrate on rugby a fraction of the effort that we do on football, we’d be great! And look how well the Eagles played in World cup!

p.s.- im a life long cubby fan!

Answer 5

Cuz they want to show off that they are tough men but they are too scared to do it without any protection.

Answer 6

because americans prefer to play a bed version of rugby where they can protect themselves with padding instead of playing like real men!

Answer 7

BECAUSE WE HAVE FOOTBALL, "THE TOUGHEST SPORT IN THE WORLD"

Answer 8

Perhaps maybe because there isnt' a rugby WORLD series in which only north-american teams played??

Answer 9

because the U.S. stole the idea of rugby and tweaked it a bit to call it their own idea "football".

Answer 10

confusing

Answer 11

case everyone thinks its odd in the us but its a cool sport i played for fun on a rec team even thought there was only 4 teams

Answer 12

I'm an American, I like the NFL and Rugby.  I just don't understand why rugby fans bash on American football fans?  Are you that insecure with your sport?  American football fans don't go bashing on you.  As a matter of fact, we rarely give you guys a second thought.

Well, whatever makes YOU feel good about yourselves, I suppose.

Just a note no one will see.  A 300 pound lineman in the NFL is considered on the small side.  How many 300 pound rugby players are there?

Answer 13

1. Americans have short attention spans.

2. Advertising would destroy rugby - the yanks would turn it into a five hour game.