Even if you’re not much of a sports fan, chances are that you’ve heard of some of the more well known sports leagues out there. You may have heard of the NFL and the NBA, but have you ever heard of some of these unusual leagues?
USFL: Do the letters look familiar to you? The United States Football League probably isn’t one that you’ve heard of, though you may have slightly recognized their presence at some point in time. They tried to be a rival to the NFL as others have tried before and it never lasted. In spite of big names, such as a team sponsored by Donald Trump, this sports league really never took off and in all honesty really never stood a chance. The NFL is a tough one to compete with and though many have tried, this is a league for which many people either don’t remember or just never really heard of at all.
AFL: Arena Football League is what it stands for, but many have never even heard the initials much less seen a game. This indoor version of arena football was something that many thought would catch on, but it just never did. Sure it has had some sparks of interest from various parties from time to time, but it never really caught on in the mainstream. Therefore if you asked anybody if they have ever heard of this league, chances are that they will say no very quickly.
WUSA: You may have seen it played at some point, but likely don’t know that there’s a professional organization behind it. The Women’s United Soccer Association isn’t very well known, even though championships and Olympic events are admired by the mainstream. Even with a big name like Mia Hamm, this is a league that isn’t readily recognized. They may have great talent and a big draw, but for some reason the appeal isn’t there for many to follow this team through each season.
WDC: Ever heard of the World Dance Council? Though dancing has gained much attention recently through TV shows and celebrity involvement alike, it never seems to be recognized as an actual professional sport. Though it does require great talent and athleticism, it is not a sports league or organization that most would tend to readily recognize as they would in other types of events.
MLS: Ever heard of Major League Soccer? If not, you are not alone and that’s probably because soccer is just not big in the United States. Though this is a sport and game played worldwide, the American version of football always played to a larger audience in this country. Though this is a legitimate and well funded sports league and organization, it’s not one that many people have ever heard of or easily recognize in any capacity.
Within sports, there is truly something for everyone. Though these may not be known well by the masses, chances are that somebody somewhere is enjoying these sports, though they may be amongst a small crowd.
M. Frederick writes about how to find the right sports management college.