Major League Soccer (MLS) has experienced significant growth since its inception in 1996, expanding from 10 teams to 29 teams in 2023. With increasing popularity, the league has shown no signs of slowing down, continually exploring new markets for expansion. As MLS looks to the future, several states stand out as potential candidates for new teams due to their growing soccer culture, demographic trends, and economic viability. New states that get MLS teams become sports hot spots, often seeing tourism growth, sports betting growth, and an increase in local business and city revenue.
Here are some states that could be next in line to get an MLS team.
Mississippi
Mississippi, particularly the Jackson metropolitan area, offers a unique opportunity for MLS expansion. While not traditionally seen as a soccer powerhouse, Mississippi has a growing soccer culture. The state’s demographic shifts and increasing interest in diverse sports make it a potential candidate for an MLS team.
A new MLS franchise in Mississippi would significantly increase fan engagement, fostering a strong soccer community. The influx of fans for home games would boost tourism, benefiting local businesses and the hospitality industry. Mississippi’s burgeoning sports betting market could also see growth, with fans placing bets on their MLS team both in person at betting locations and online. According to Vlad G from Sports Talk Philly, sports betting was legalized in 2018 in the state. While state-regulated options allow bettors to wager on the NFL, NBA, NCAA, MLB, and NHL, some bettors visit offshore sites for more unique betting markets. The top Mississippi betting apps reviewed are often evaluated for features like betting markets offered, payment methods offered, and bonuses. These are important factors to consider when betting on sports in Mississippi, or any other state.
North Carolina
North Carolina has long been a hotbed for soccer, with a strong soccer…
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Author : SoccerNews
Publish date : 2024-07-22 09:12:02
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