Real Rivalries

After watching the Lakers-Celtics overtime game Thursday night, I wondered if there were any sports in which rivalries really mean much anymore. Back in the day, everyone knew about the Celtics led by Larry Bird and the Lakers led by Magic Johnson. Michael Jordan always led the Bulls – well, at least before he retired, the second time. Those teams would always be led by stalwarts, not imports. Not to take anything away from Danny Ainge, but two years ago Kevin Garnett could have cared less about the Celtics.

So what am I looking for? First, rivalries need to attract attention. Not just from those involved, but anyone who follows the sport. Sure, my brother and I might be just as competitive as Peyton and Eli, but nobody cares. Second, rivalries need to be permanent. A war isn’t nearly as intense if people can switch sides whenever they want. Finally, the more compelling rivalries the better. You can’t just have the Celtics or Lakers winning every other year. Or if you do, the Hawks-Sonics game needs to mean something, too. And not just wh0 has the best odds at picking the next Kwame Brown.

The 2006 World Cup final had 715.1 million views making it the most watched sporting event. Not fair, you say, because the World Cup only happens once every four years? This year, the Super Bowl noticed 95.4 million viewers, so even if we round up to 100 million and multiply by four, the Super Bowl only generates 400 million viewers per four year period – just over HALF the World Cup final.

No other sport has such a rich tradition around the world. Soccer has legitimate leagues around the world. Almost every nation in Europe, South America, and Mexico have leagues. Whether the MLS should count or not is debatable. Who else plays American football besides us? The NFL tried expanding into Europe and failed. Sure, Major League Baseball has players from all over the world, and maybe Japan can hold a candle to MLB, but the World Series of Baseball, err, World Baseball Classic, whatever it’s called, it’s not even close. Aramis Ramirez decided he didn’t want to play in it because he wasn’t going to start. Beckham wants to give up Hollywood and for a chance to play in Europe and maybe, just maybe, have a shot at making England’s 2012 roster.

Even America and Mexico have a strong rivalry this isn’t subject to capitalism. Unlike Johnny Damon who impersonated Benedict Arnold for a $52 million payday when he left the Red Sox for their hated enemies the Yankees. No matter how much how much money the Mexican government offers, Landon Donovan can’t decide he wants to play for Mexico. Capitalism does have a role, however. After Radioshack dropped out, U.S.-based Blockbuster is sponsoring a promotion in Mexico City that is giving out voodoo dolls who resemble American players for Mexican fans to prick. Nothing says rivalry like the losing coach being executed for his shortcomings. No coaches have literally walked the plank, but between 1991 and 1997, three Mexican coaches were given pink slips after suffering defeat at the hands of the Americans.

Players must make the best of their situation, no matter what country they’re from. Unlike Manny Ramirez who walks out grounders until he gets his way, Demarcus Beasley can’t jog up and down the pitch until he gets traded to a Germany, Italy, or some other country he believes has a better chance of winning a World Cup. No, it’s not fair that some countries have more natural talent, but that just encourages individuals to push those around them. It’s a similar concept to college football – for the most part, players can’t just up and leave, they have to make the best of their situation. Think Tim Tebow on an international scale. What? Can’t imagine anything bigger? Come on, only 26.767 million people saw the game.