ali said:
Agro said:
The world cup is being played predominatly in Sydney, of course its going to fill the papers. It is after all the 3rd biggest sporting event in the world.
Remember its the self proclaimed third biggest sporting event in the world. We've had this debate before. Certain other soccer tournaments blow it away.
And
self proclaimed are the key words here. The Olympics, World Cup (soccer) and Commonwealth Games are three that easily outstrip the Rugby World Cup.
Then there are:
The various soccer leagues around the world whose attendances, viewing public, sponsorship dollars and so on easily dwark that of the RWC. Do they seriously think the RWC is bigger than the English Premier League or the FA Champions League? The Confederations Cup? Japan's J-League is also huge and has corporate dollars behind it that you wouldn't believe.
The NBA. It's the biggest sport in the US and it has tremendous support around the world. Then there are the other American sports: MLB (baseball), NFL (grid iron), NHL (ice hockey) etc.
The four golfing majors. Each one on its own is bigger than the RWC. Then there is the PGA tour, the Nike tour (the secondary golf tour).
The four tennis majors. Ditto. Davis Cup.
I'd say even the WWF (World Wrestling Federation) is a bigger sporting event than the RWC! At least they have their own action figures.
Before anyone mentions it, yes, I do know that the Rugby League World Cup is far from a golbally significant sporting event. But I'm not pretending that it is, or making ambit claims like the organisers of the RWC are.
We have had this debate before. Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. And I'm going to call it Toffball from now on as well. I like that better and it is more appropriate, although both are fitting, than Yawnion.