Why soccer and basketball are so popular internationally?

Easy to play
Bases : passing, dribbling, scoring Can be played indoor Young people can play

Rules are easy to understand (thefreedictionnary.com)

Basketball: Shot, rebound, dribble, double dribble, court, tap-off, assist, play, foul, home court, rim, center, half, hack, dunk, ball. Soccer is probably even easier... Football: Fumble, muff, centering, snap, fair catch, interception, reception, straight-arm, touchback, safety, touchdown, field goal, extra point, down, completion, running play, run, draw play, end run, sweep, return, reverse, rushing, passing, power play, handoff, tackle, interference, trap block, back, lineman, scrimmage, blitz, linebacker blitzing, trap play, mousetrap.

Visibility of the ball

According to Maudelbaum, basketball and soccer are also easier and more popular because it is easier to follow the ball. Can you follow the ball from the baseball stadium?: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xJNKRlGYuQQ

Minimal Equipment
Mandelbaum (p.200): What the basketball player brings to his enterprise is his own skill

VERSUS

Consequence
To play soccer/basketball, it doesnt matter: your social class your finances your place of birth your residence your physical abilities

Where can you play?

Basically everywhere for soccer (or basketball): - Fields - Beaches - Streets - Gardens - Parks - Small places - Indoor or Outdoor Football and baseball must be outside and on grass.

Gender equality
Women play soccer and basketball, not baseball nor football. WNBA, professional soccer league in Europe, NCAA, World Championships,...

Continuous games
In soccer and basketball, one thing occurs after the other. The scenario is not written in advance like in baseball or football. The coaches say what to do, but not how to do. Mandelbaum (p.209) : Our throats hurt collectively, our hearts raced and pounded and, after 46 taut minutes, our shoulders and backs ached in the same way. Few spectator sports are more physical than a great game of soccer

Uncertainty/Suspense until the end

Basketball
http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=x9ePS17Qm_E - Small/bad teams can beat big/strong team easier in soccer and basketball. - Cinderella teams in college Basketball: 1/ Fresno State (2008) : NCAA champion while seeded #4 in their region. 2/ VCU(2011): did not even win their conference but went to the Final four.

Soccer
Even more accurate in soccer, few goals, so one can change everything. 1/ Greece (2006): ranked 24th in the World but European Champion 2/ South Korea (2008): ranked 31st in the World, but 3rd at the World Cup.

Players are graceful

Soccer is known as the beautiful game (Mandelbaum, p.215) Players are athletics. Players play in the air. Basket: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riGd TNU4kFw Soccer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xs _5vMw5OU

List of references

Maudelbaum, The meaning of sports. www.youtube.com www.thefreedictionnary.com