Top 5 reasons why May 2 will be the biggest day in sports

On May 2, several important sporting events are aligning perfectly on a single day, which will lead to the overwhelming majority of the country tuning into at least one of them over the course of 24 hours.June 17, 1994, was also one of those days, as O.J. Simpson’s infamous low-speed Bronco chase drew the interest of an estimated 95 million viewers. However, that was a day filled to the brim with other significant sporting events.For example, that was the day of the first game in the 1994 Football World Cup, held in the U.S. for the first and only time to date. It was also the day that Arnold Palmer would play his final round of golf at the U.S. Open, as well as Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.It was the day of the New York Rangers’ ticker-tape parade in the Big Apple following their Stanley Cup win. This day was so important that there was even an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary created about the day’s events.This day will also make history in betting books as allegedly $ 1 Billion will be on the table.In short, it was an extremely important and lucrative day for sports entertainment, but there is a chance that May 2 2015 will pass it in television viewing and ad spending. So let’s take a view:

#7 Honourable Mention: Cricket

Gambhir and Kohli fight two years ago

Indian Premier League is almost upto its half stage. And cricket lovers are in for a feast this weekend. Kolkata Knight Riders take on Royal Challengers Banglore on May 2. Remember the ugly spat between Delhi brats:Gautam Gambhir & Virat Kohli?Well, that incidence made match between these two teams worth watching.

But if you like cricket for its game, no problem.This match will be fight for the third spot. There are contests within a contest like:Kohli V/s Morkel, Starc V/s Gambhiretc.,

Another match is also an eye candy: Chennai SuperKings V/s Sunrisers Hyderabad,the most consistent team against the team with best bowling attack.

Battles to look forward to:Raina V/s Steyn, McCullum V/s Boult, Dhoni V/s Kumars, Warner V/s Nehra

For test cricket lovers: May 2 marks the final day of the first test betweenBangladesh and Pakistan.

#6 Honourable Mention: The NFL Draft

A record 45.7 million watchedthe draft last year and Day 3 viewership was up 17% last year from previous years.

Its not really a sporting event byitself, but since it involves the NFL,a lot of eyeballs will still be glued to the NFL Draft. Fortunately, the draft would be on its third day on May 2.This is an event which a year ago was a point of interest because of the Michael Sam phenomenon. This year you never know what could be the talking point trades,slip or time running out.

#5 NBA/NHL Playoffs

Second phase of NBA Playoffs will be starting from 2nd May

The NBA and NHL are entrenched in their post seasons and May 2nd is a day earmarked for games in both leagues. While the NHL conference semifinal schedule is yet to be released, the NBA will start its second round on that day for teams who breezed through the first round. Therefore, May 2nd could include very high ratings with the possibility of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Chicago Bulls.

Considering James’ first game of Round 1 against the Boston Celtics drew a 4.5 rating among the adults 18-49, the third-highest ever for such a game, it is clear that he is still the NBA’s main draw. A game between the Golden State Warriors and the L.A. Clippers or San Antonio Spurs would also bring in millions of TV viewers.

#4 Red Sox vs New York Yankees

Boston Red Sox v/s New York Yankees is one of the most fierced rivalries in Baseball

Any baseball fan will tell you that no matter where your allegiance lies, a game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees still counts as must-see TV. Lo and behold, the two teams are scheduled to play each other onMay 2!There also will be a full slate of Major League Baseball events that afternoon and evening, including the Red Sox and Yankees (still the biggest regular-season draw in professional baseball) and the Nationals taking on the surprising first place New York Mets.

#3 Football

All the leagues in Europe are in their final stages

It’s particularly evident in Europe where some of the biggest domestic leagues will be at the tail end of their seasons, which only means one thing: title races!

The English Premier League, for instance, has a doozy of a schedule on that day, highlighted by Manchester City – Tottenham game that could have far-reaching implications on who wins the title this year.

In La Liga, matches of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid can decide the finalists of the cup.

#2 Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby is one of the most watched events

You really have to feel bad for the Kentucky Derby. In any other year, the Kentuck Derby usually dominates the headlines on the Sunday that it’s held. This year, it’s scheduled to take place on May 2, 2015. Despite the plethora of playoff games, late-season football matches, and baseball rivalries, the Derby is still going to get its share of attention, largely because it’s the most prestigious horse racing event in the US.

#1 Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao

The failure to make the MayweatherPacquiao fight was named The Rings Magazine Event of the Yearfor 2010

The fight which is expected to break pay-per-view recordsby luring in somewhere between 3 and 4 million viewers. The event for which sports and trends pundits have been preparing for three months in advance, the eventwhich is termed as The Fight of the Century, the matchwhich has been waited for five long years by million of fansis insured to break all the records in terms of viewership and betting.

At $99 per household (also a record high), the fight could bring in between $300-400 million just from TV revenue alone. Throw in the $72 million in gate receipts and prices from the secondary ticket market, this is an event easily worth well over half a billion dollars.

That alone makes May 2 one of the biggest days in sports of the last several years.

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