MLS Remains Most Diverse Among "Big Five" Sports Leagues
Published on March 23, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Wednesday, March 23, 2011) - Major League Soccer continues to be the most diverse league in North American professional team sports.
As of March 20, 2011, more than 62 percent of MLS players were born in the United States or Canada, but the total number of countries represented by place of birth - 57 - is the most of any of the "Big Five" sports leagues. The NBA, with players from 40 countries, is next. About 38 percent of current MLS players were born outside the USA and Canada; Major League Baseball is next at 26 percent.
Courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau, official statistician for all five leagues, here is a breakdown:
League (Year) Total Players Born Outside USA/Canada Countries of Birth*
MLS (2011): 487 184 (38%) 57
NBA (2010-2011): 434 87 (20%) 40
NFL (2010): 2050 67 (3%) 27
NHL (2010-2011): 764 193 (25%) 19
MLB (2010): 1029 272 (26%) 18
* Including USA & Canada
Major League Soccer Stories from March 23, 2011
- Chivas USA Forward Chukwudi Chijindu Joins L.A. Blues on Loan - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Crew News & Notes: Crew Opens Home Campaign Saturday vs. N.Y. - Columbus Crew SC
- Red Bulls Under-18s Train with Argentina National Team - Red Bull New York
- Sounders FC Defender Ianni to Appear at Elliott Bay Books on Sunday - Seattle Sounders FC
- Timbers' Danso Recalled by Gambia National Team - Portland Timbers
- Red Bulls Sign Defender Tyler Lassiter - Red Bull New York
- MLS Remains Most Diverse Among "Big Five" Sports Leagues - MLS
- Chicago Fire Trade Calen Carr for Dominic Oduro - Chicago Fire FC
- Chicago Fire Acquire Rights to Colombian Defender Yamith Cuesta - Chicago Fire FC
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