Breaking Into the Mainstream {Part 2: The Three Pillars of a Mainstream Sport}

December 26th, 2008 • Comments Breaking Into the Mainstream, My Thoughts
Tags: Breaking Into the Mainstrem, motocross, My Thoughts, supercross, television, three pillars

Before reading this post, be sure to check out Part 1: Introduction to find out more about this five part mini-series.

Motocross is at an important part in our history where we must decide whether or not to break into the mainstream, or continue to grow slowly and maintain the strong core fan base which we have built.

Before we can truly examine the effects which the transition to the mainstream will have on the sport, it is important to analyze the three pillars of support which are present in every mainstream sport in America and throughout the world.

Going mainstream will require 3 pillars of support for our sport. First of all, more fans are needed. While the motocross community is currently of a healthy size, we are no where near the size of football, baseball, or even soccer. In addition, motocross will need more advertising money to fund the sport as it grows, and a better television deal to get the sport out to more telelvision viewers.

The only way for the sport to build these three pillars is to move away from outdoor motocross and focus on Supercross. While this transition will provide newer fans with a more enjoyable experience, mainstream companies with more advertising options, and a more feasible live TV setup, it will also leave the hardcore fans in the dust.

Supercross Will Attract New Fans

-Photo by Paul Buckley.

For new fans, supercross provides a much more enjoyable experience. The events are held inside, where climates are controlled, food and bathrooms readily available. Furthermore, supercross events are generally held near or in large cities. Meaning that a weekend trip to watch a supercross can be incorporated into a larger excursion. Motocross, on the other had, is held outside, and fans are susceptible to the harsh summer weather. At almost all of the outdoor professional motocros events I have attended, it has either been scorching hot, or heavily raining. Neither of which are prime environments for newer fans. For the dedicated hardcore motocross fan who is already a fan of the sport, braving the elements in order to see a race. However, for newer fans, the harsh weather conditions at outdoor motocross races will quickly drive them away from the sport. If you are not intensely interested in motocross as a sport, than going to watch an outdoor motocross race is simply not worth it.

Weather is not the only way that Supercross provides a much more enjoyable experience to new fans. Supercross guarantees a specific seat. You can come when you want, leave when you want, and your seat is still yours. Finding a good spot to watch Motocross, on the other hand, can entail climbing hills, pushing through large crowds of people and holding on to your foot on the fence for dear life, because, if you leave, there are more than enough people to fill the gap instantly. Once again, for hard core fans, this is not a problem at all. In fact, this is one of the joys of going to the nationals. For newer fans, finding a spot to watch at an outdoor motocross race is simply not worth the trouble.

As a result of these stark differences between Supercross and motocross, Supercross is the “gateway” drug of motocross in that it attracts new fans to the sport. Conversely, in order to go mainstream, motocross needs to attract (many) new fans. This can only be accomplished by putting more of our industry’s effort and industry behind the sport of Supercross.

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