The most popular sports in the U.S. (Part 3)

Basketball

Mar 9, 2019; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Daniel Gafford (10) dribbles between Alabama Crimson Tide guard Herbert Jones (10) and forward Galin Smith (30) at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 82-70. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

This sport is another big favorite in the U.S., and both professional leagues and college basketball are a top choice for sports fans. Many of the college-ranked talents have the opportunity to get drafted into the NBA so it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to get into the big leagues.

One of the most famous names in the history of the game is Michael Jordan. He took the sport to another level with his fantastic shots and went on to star in films while securing a lot of mainstream advertising deals. Basketball isn’t just a sport loved by Americans either. It has also taken off around the world, and several countries have their own leagues and professional players.

Ice Hockey

Everyone knows the Mecca of Sports at Madison Square Gardens in New York. This is where some of the biggest sporting stars have played and is home to the New York Rangers ice hockey team. People travel far and wide to see them play, and even tourists get in on the action while visiting the city. Hockey is another huge crowd drawer across the U.S. and is one of the top watched sports on the TV too.

Soccer

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world — although it didn’t really take off in the US until the World Cup of 2014, where Team USA had a fantastic run. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength and continues to be a front-runner for popularity.

Since David Beckham — one of the UK’s most famous footballers — arrived in the country, new generations have been influenced into the sport. Beckham has also started his own team called Inter Miami, and they are now playing in Major League Soccer. It’s not just the men’s leagues that enjoy success either. The women’s national team took home the top prize at the final of the 2019 World Cup against The Netherlands to secure a place in the history books.