Political ad spending aimed at World Cup audiences is a clear indicator of soccer’s growing acceptance in America.
An example is the Susan Collins-aligned Pine Tree Results PAC, which has initiated a new phase of a seven-figure general election advertising campaign against Democrat Graham Platner in Maine. This campaign emerged statewide during the U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup game against Australia.
“The first U.S. World Cup game was the most watched soccer broadcast in American history,” a GOP operative involved in the Maine senate race, who requested anonymity, told POLITICO. “Maine markets are outperforming the national average, and the crucial Portland DMA has a notable soccer fan base.”
Furthermore, James Talarico’s first ad purchase for the general election Senate campaign involves an $800,000 Spanish-language TV campaign, scheduled to air during every U.S. and Mexico group stage match.
In Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, Republican Gabe Evans appears in a Spanish-language advertisement in Denver, debating with his mother whether it’s called soccer or football.
In the realm of politics, campaigns and super PACs hesitate to invest where there isn’t a significant audience. These strategic moves underscore the reality that international soccer can indeed capture substantial attention in America.
