Comparing the crowd that was at the compaq center to Yao's first game and the scarcity of tickets when tickets first went on sale for Jordan's only appearence in Houston and let's not forget how many arenas he played in last year were full, I'm gonna go with Jordan.
Les Alexander said in 2 years Yao will be bigger, worldwide, than Jordan or Tiger. I saw that on ch 13 yesterday.
You might be right in terms if people watching over the tube or the net. But in terms of buying tickets to go to an arena, I think will be Jordan by a handsome margin.
Ask this question in 5 years (centers get better with age). By then, the viewership for Yao would have exceeded Jordan's because of Chinese NATIONALISM.
If Yao is tearing it up, I am sure alot of people will be very curious to see him play. But if hes doing so so and not even starting...I doubt he'd make that much of a difference.
I saw that same interview. Les said Yao is the biggest individual story in the history of sports. He must be on some powerful stuff.