Fewer viewers tuned in to last week’s MLS season opener.
Last Thursday’s Union/Sounders match drew 285,000 viewers on ESPN2, down 14% from last year’s Red Bulls/Sounders opener (327,000).
Both telecasts aired on Thursday nights, and both aired opposite the NCAA Tournament.
For perspective, ESPN2 averaged 290,000 viewers for the full 2009 MLS season. This is the first time that ESPN2 has drawn fewer than 300,000 viewers for an MLS telecast involving the Sounders.
(ESPN)
