Attempt to compare Cricket and Football World Cup

It’s the Cricket season. First the international focus with the ICC World Cup 2011 and then the domestic blast of IPL 4. 

Now that the #WC11 is already underway, some concerns are being raised that fewer teams contesting would make the game more competitive and enjoyable. First it was in the reports that the 50 over game is under threat and only the success of #WC11 can make it survive, then it was about minnows not giving any competition to the stalwarts.

2010 saw the FIFA world cup and now every “paul” is referred to Psychic should make you understand the popularity of the game and general interest in it. Immense competition and ‘Vuvuzelas’ made the game more enjoyable and it was a huge success both for the spirit of the game and economically too, especially for the hosting country.

Just to compare two of the most famous games and their impacts here’s a small Comparison:

Vs 

The Game:

·         Football as a game wins because of the speed, lesser play time and more action. It is played in more countries of the world than Cricket.

·       Cricket has been traditionally a longer scheduled game and is evolving to be a shorter action packed adventure with the 20-20 world cup and the likes.

The Impact:

·         FIFA 2010 was supposedly the most viewed event in the sporting history. I do not think #WC11 will be able to surpass that record.

·         Impact of Cricket however, on the sub continent is very huge more so because of the lack of football action.

·         In India Cricket is the last word. Think it like this: How many people would leave a India vs XYZ match for FIFA qualifier or for that matter UEFA cup match, leave alone the domestic matches.

Media and Promotion

·         While ESPN has a $ 2 billion USD contract to broadcast he games around the world FIFA had sold its rights to multiple channels across countries and some free to air channels too.

·         Although in terms of sheer advertising revenue FIFA would loose because of the shorter version of the game and lesser slots for advertising, it will still be ranked higher because of the more eyeballs it grabs.

Although the points try to make an emphasis on football emerging to be on the upper hand against cricket, but personally I am more of a cricket spectator than football. Hope to see some great moments and intense action in the upcoming games. 

If you like the idea of comparing the two games, leave your views in the comments.