Submitted by Stan, Jul 12, 2007 18:03

Yes it did!

For both the 1994 WC and the 1999 WWC, attendances and TV ratings were excellent. The profits were huge.

And they both had some degree of long term impact as well, though 1999 less so (women's soccer has to combat both the image of soccer and the image of women's sports, which is harder to do). Due to those profits, US Soccer went from a volunteer operation to a cash rich modern corporate enterprise, capable of nurturing and improving the national team. Interest in the National Team and the World Cup has been improved permanently. Last year's final outrated the NBA Finals and the World Series.

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