All-clear for Vialli
HUMIDITY PUTS HEAT ON MIAMI
second most appealing place to play in the US, behind Los Angeles. It’s better than New York because of the climate and the cosmopolitan nature down there. It’ll be a real advantage for those guys.”
Paulson and Penn both agree America has now taken to our national sport in such a big way that it is ready to become a major force on the world stage.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL Average weekly TV viewing figures 16.5m per game
Biggest average home crowd Dallas Cowboys 90,929 Average age of fans 50
Average weekly TV viewing figures 13.9m per game for World Series Biggest average home crowd
DAVID BECKHAM has been warned his Inter Miami side will need to prove they won’t wilt in the stifling Florida heat.
Summer humidity levels can reach an oppressive 60 per cent, and Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson warned it could be a major factor for the franchise to contend with. Miami might have all the trappings that sunshine brings, with palm trees and beautiful beaches, but it’s near-tropical climate can also be a headache.
The situation is compounded by the fact the MLS is currently shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak, with no resumption date in sight (above, Beckham at Inter). Paulson said: “The weather there will be a challenge. It will be interesting to see David in the next phase of his career, winning over the fans and trying to build a hardcore fan base.
“But to be fair, I was sceptical about Atlanta and two years later they’re averaging over 55,000 a game.
“I’m not sure that’s going to happen in Miami. The weather can be problematical. It’s certainly a lot different from where David played in Manchester and even in Spain or Los Angeles.
“You can virtually swim through that humidity, but I’m hoping they can do it.”
LA Dodgers 49,065 Average age of fans 57 BASKETBALL
Average weekly TV viewing figures 7.5m/reg season over 4 networks Biggest average home crowd Philadelphia 76ers 20,628 Average age of fans 42
ICE HOCKEY
Average weekly TV viewing figures 5.33m/game in Stanley Cup Biggest average home crowd Chicago Blackhawks 20,441 Average age of fans 49
Average weekly TV viewing figures 260,0O0 on cable
Biggest average home crowd Atlanta 50,551 (left, stadium) Average age of fans 40
CHELSEA have confirmed former player and manager Gianluca Vialli has been given the all-clear from pancreatic cancer.
Former Italy striker Vialli, currently working with his national team, announced in 2018 that he had won a battle with the disease, before revealing last year he was fighting it again.
However, the Blues tweeted about the 55-year-old yesterday: “Gianluca Vialli has been given the all-clear following a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Amazing news.”
Vialli played for Chelsea between 1996 and 1999, becoming player-boss at Stamford Bridge in 1998.