The Reason Why Hockey is Less Popular Than Other Sports

So, it's NHL playoff time and I have no idea who is still playing, with the exception of the Boston Bruins. I only know this because I grew up in Boston and find out once and a while what the Bruins are doing.
Hockey is a pretty exciting sport. It's fast paced, there is more scoring than soccer, it is intense and hard hitting. Sounds like the perfect man's game. Yet, hockey is the least popular of the four major professional sports. NASCAR is more popular than hockey, too. However, according to Sports Illustrated, NASCAR is also more popular than NBA basketball.

The reason as to why Hockey is less popular than other major professional sports is really a simple one: money. A capitalistic country like the United States can certainly understand this. Hockey is a very expensive sport to play and it requires a lot of time to develop the skills necessary. Most hockey players who have any chance of success pretty much learn to skate as soon as they walk. They then proceed to grow up paying for ice time at local rinks, new skates, new pads. Now, factor in the fact that a growing child will have to turn around and buy all new equipment about every year, that's a pretty big price tag.

Thus, as a result, many people simply never play hockey. They didn't play it growing up and they don't play it now. Okay, so a rebuttal could be "well, I don't race cars, but I like watching NASCAR." True, you probably don't race cars. But, do you drive a car? Have you experienced the exhilaration of driving at least 100mph at some point in your life? Probably so. Now multiply that times 2 driving on a circular road surrounded by other cars trying to go faster than you, and you can imagine what a rush that would be. Plus, car racing is just simple competition. First one to cross the finish line wins.

Hockey has subtle rules and nuances to the game that many people simply don't understand. Because people don't play hockey, they can't identify with the sport. It's as simple as that. Americans don't play hockey. Not even pickup. Thus, Americans don't watch hockey.