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Posted by: Eric
February 7, 2008
10:40 pm EST
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| I was listening to ESPN Radio while running lunchtime errands today, and heard something I found truly interesting. Harris Interactive, a research firm, released the updated results of a poll they've been conducting since 1985 regarding the popularity of sports in America. Participants in the survey were asked which sport they would follow, if they could only follow one.
It should not be a surprise that the top honors goes to professional football, where 30% of those surveyed stated they would forgo all other sports in favor of the NFL. The other sports receiving double-digit nods are baseball (15%), college football (12%), and auto-racing (10%). In my eyes, not terribly surprising.
The part that throws me through a loop (and makes me mildly giddy) is that the fifth spot is actually hockey, receiving 5% of the votes. For all the attention (and advertising) that basketball and golf is given, they attract fewer followers than good ol' hockey. Outside of March Madness, I guess I don't care about basketball (pro or college) or golf either.
The research also shows the trending of popularity since 1985, and hockey was pretty constant, if growing ever so slightly. Professional basketball has actually decreased in recent years, especially compared to the 1990's (see the 2005 report). My theory? Interest in the NBA was buoyed by Michael Jordan, and once he retired (from the Bulls the second time) the league suffered.
Interesting stuff.
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