3/27: A Day at the Ballpark? MLB Games a No-Go for a Majority of Fans
March 27, 2013 by Marist Poll
Filed under Baseball, Featured, Sports, Sports Bench
Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is almost here, but baseball fans nationally may not be flocking to the field. According to this Marist Poll, 54% of fans did not attend any games last year and do not plan to attend any games this year. 28% say they will venture out to the ballpark about the same amount as they did last year while 13% believe they will attend more games than last season. Six percent report they will go to fewer games than last season.
Click Here for Complete March 27, 2013 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables
Little has changed on this question since last year. At that time, 53% of baseball fans said they were not planning to attend to any MLB games nor did they attend any games the season before. 31% reported they would go to the same amount of games as they had previously while one in ten — 10% — thought they would go to more baseball games. Six percent believed they would attend fewer games.
Of note regionally, on the heels of the San Francisco Giants’ World Series victory and off-season acquisitions by other Pacific Coast teams, a majority of baseball fans in the West — 53% — plan to attend at least the same number of games they did last year. Included here, are 20% who say they will take more trips to the ballpark and 33% who think their attendance will be about the same as last season.
Ticket prices could play a role. 52% of fans nationally do not think the cost of an MLB ticket is a good value for the money. 37% believe the experience is a good value for the price, and 11% are unsure. Last year, 56% of fans did not think they got a good bang for their ticket buck while 34% reported admission prices were a good value. 10% were unsure.
While fans in the Northeast remain the most dissatisfied with ticket prices, fewer have this opinion. More than six in ten baseball fans in this region — 63% — do not think the price of an MLB ticket is a good value. This compares with 73% who had this view last year. In the Midwest, a majority of fans — 55% — say the experience is not worth the cost of a ticket. 47% of fans in the South and 45% of those in the West share this view. Last year, 55% of Midwest fans, 52% of those in the South, and 47% of fans in the West did not think the ticket price for a Major League Baseball game was a good value for the money.
But, there is some good news for America’s pastime, there has been a bump in the proportion of baseball fans nationwide. 56% of adults watch professional baseball, at least, a little. This includes 9% who watch a great deal of the sport, 10% who follow a good amount of it, and 37% who watch a little baseball. 45% do not watch any of the game. When Marist last reported this question, half of adults — 50% — reported they were baseball fans.
Table: More or Less Games than Last Year
3/26: Many Fans Think College Sports Programs Break NCAA Rules…Education Should be a Priority, Say Most
March 26, 2013 by Marist Poll
Filed under Featured, Special Events, Sports, Sports Bench
March Madness is in full swing, and with all eyes on the road to the Final Four, sports fans nationwide are weighing in on the nature of college sports.
Click Here for Complete March 26, 2013 USA Poll Release and Tables
More than two-thirds of sports fans nationally — 67% — think it is common practice for college sports programs to break NCAA rules when recruiting and training college athletes. 26% believe the rules are not broken often, and 7% are unsure.
This Marist Poll has been done in conjunction with The Marist College Center for Sports Communication.
There has been an increase in the proportion of sports fans nationally who say college athletic programs cross the line in their recruiting and training programs. When Marist last reported this question in March of 2012, 55% said it is common for college sports officials to break the NCAA rules. 35% disagreed, and 10% were unsure.
Should the business of college sports trump education? Overwhelmingly, most sports fans say, “no.” 95% of fans believe college athletes should be required to attend class and focus on their studies while just 5% of fans say college sports has become a business, and student athletes should focus on training and not be required to go to class.
“Most sports fans still enjoy the notion of amateurism in college athletics,” says Dr. Keith Strudler, Director of The Marist College Center for Sports Communication. “They largely don’t want college athletes paid beyond a scholarship, and they overwhelmingly want them to attend classes like other students.”
Table: College Sports’ Programs Recruiting Practices
Table: The Business of College Sports
Show Them the Money?
What is the appropriate compensation for top college athletes? More than seven in ten sports fans — 72% — think these athletes should only receive a scholarship. 21% believe they deserve a scholarship and a salary while 6% say they should neither receive a scholarship nor a salary.
In last year’s survey, 68% of sports fans reported a scholarship sufficed. 27% said a scholarship plus a salary was the appropriate compensation while 5% thought these athletes should neither receive a scholarship nor a salary.
What about the salaries for college coaches in top sports programs? A slim majority of sports fans — 51% — say they should be paid less than coaches in professional sports programs. 45% say college coaches should be paid about the same amount as professional coaches while 3% think they should be paid more.
There is increasing support for top college coaches to receive the same pay as their professional counterparts. In March of 2012, nearly six in ten sports fans — 57% — thought college coaches should be paid less. 39% said they should receive about the same salary as professional coaches, and 4% believed they should be paid more than professional coaches.
Table: Compensation for Top College Athletes
Table: Salaries for Coaches of Top College Sports’ Programs
T-R-O-U-B-L-E…Playing the Blame Game
When college athletes get into trouble, who should be held most responsible? Seven in ten sports fans nationally — 70% — think the athletes should take the blame. 16% say their coaches should be held accountable, and 12% say college presidents and the school’s administration should take the heat. Three percent are unsure.
Just how many Americans are sports fans? 62% of adults are while 38% are not. Little has changed on this question since Marist last reported it in December. At that time, 60% of residents considered themselves to be a sports fan while 40% said they were not.
Table: Who’s Responsible When College Athletes Get into Trouble?
Nothing But Net…Number of NCAA Men’s Teams on the Mark, Say More Than Three in Four
77% of college basketball fans think the number of teams in the NCAA men’s tournament is about right. One in five — 20% — say the 68 teams are too many while just 3% say the number is too few.
Similar proportions of college basketball fans held these views last March when 78% said the number of teams was appropriate. 18% believed there were too many, and 4% believed there were too few.
Nearly half of adults nationally — 48% — follow college basketball, at least, some of the time. Included here are 30% who check out the sport a little, 10% who watch a good amount of it, and 8% who follow a great deal of it. 51% do not watch college basketball at all.
There has been a slight bump in the proportion of college basketball fans. In March of 2012, 43% reported following the sport, at least, a little bit. 56%, at that time, said they did not watch college basketball at all.
Table: Number of Teams in NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
Table: College Basketball Fans Nationally
About Keith Strudler, Ph.D.
Keith Strudler, Ph.D., is the director for the Marist College Center for Sports Communication. Dr. Strudler founded Marist’s popular concentration in sports communication in 2002, now one of the nation’s largest in the discipline. He studies and teaches in the areas of sports media, sports and society, and sports reporting and information. Dr. Strudler also writes weekly sports commentary for WAMC, an NPR radio station in Albany, NY.
12/27: Phelps’ Olympic Medal Record Biggest Accomplishment in Sports This Year
December 27, 2012 by Marist Poll
Filed under Featured, Special Events, Sports, Sports Bench
Months removed from the London Olympics, stories from the games top the list of 2012’s biggest accomplishments in sports. Among sports fans nationally, 28% consider Michael Phelps breaking the Olympic medal record to be the single best sports accomplishment of the year. The gold medal win by the U.S. women’s gymnastics team tumbled into the hearts of 23% of U.S. sports fans. 13% believe Notre Dame’s football team played like champions during their undefeated regular season while the third consecutive gold medal for the U.S. women’s soccer team is deemed the biggest sports accomplishment by 12%. However, 11% think Drew Brees’ record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass trumped sports while 10% of U.S. sports fans say the Triple Crown win by the Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera was a home run this year. Three percent are unsure.
This Marist Poll has been done in conjunction with The Marist College Center for Sports Communication.
Click Here for Complete December 27, 2012 Poll Release and Tables
“The results remind us that Olympic accomplishments carry enormous weight with the American public,”says Dr. Keith Strudler, Director of The Marist College Center for Sports Communication. “They also highlight Michael Phelps’ place among the hierarchy of American sports greats.”
Men and women differ on this question. While 31% of men think Phelps breaking the Olympic medal record deserves the title of single best sports accomplishment of 2012, 33% of women say the gold medal win by the U.S. women’s gymnastics team takes the crown.
Table: Single Best Sports Accomplishment of 2012
Touchdown! Big Blue’s Super Bowl Win Scores as Best Sports Championship
When it comes to the best sports championship of 2012, the Super Bowl victory by the New York Giants is tops. 36% of U.S. sports fans have this view. 17%, however, believe the World Series win by the San Francisco Giants deserves the honor. 13% report the college football national title win by the Alabama Crimson Tide is the best championship of the year while an additional 13% say the NBA Championship victory by the Miami Heat tops their list. The NHL season may be on ice due to the current lockout, but the 2012 Stanley Cup win by the Los Angeles Kings is tops in the minds of 8% of sports fans. Seven percent, though, report the NCAA men’s basketball championship victory by the Kentucky Wildcats deserves the title. Six percent are unsure.
Regionally, the Super Bowl victory by the New York Giants is thought to be the top sports championship by 45% in the Northeast, 43% in the Midwest, and 29% in the South. However, in the West, the World Series triumph by the San Francisco Giants — 35% — edges the New York football Giants’ victory — 30%.
While 44% of sports fans age 30 to 44, 42% of those 45 to 59, and 32% of fans 60 and older give top honors to the New York Giants Super Bowl win, there is less agreement among younger fans. 27% of fans under 30 say the Miami Heat’s NBA championship was the best sports championship of 2012. This compares with 24% who say the same about the New York Giants taking home the Lombardi trophy.
Table: Best Sports Championship of 2012
Sandusky Scandal Sends Shockwaves
The Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal not only stunned the Penn State community, but it had a large impact on the sports world. In fact, nearly half of sports fans nationally — 48% — believe this story had the biggest impact on sports in 2012. The Lance Armstrong doping scandal comes in a distant second with 18% followed by 13% who mention the replacement referees in the NFL, and 10% who pick the NHL lockout as having the greatest impact on sports in 2012. Six percent believe the NFL bounty scandal hardest hit sports this year. Four percent are unsure.
Regardless of region, income, age, ethnicity, and gender, the Sandusky scandal is thought to be the story with the largest impact on sports in 2012.
Table: Story with the Biggest Impact on Sports in 2012
Peyton Manning Most Influential on His Sport
When it comes to the player with the biggest impact on their sport in 2012, quarterback for the Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning, takes the top spot. 35% of U.S. sports fans have this view of him. The Miami Heat’s LeBron James comes in second with 24% who say he has had the biggest impact on basketball. Swimming phenomenon Missy Franklin is thought to have had the largest effect on her sport by 10%. The same proportion — 10% — says the PGA’s Rory McIlroy was the most influential in golf while an additional 10% believe Serena Williams had the largest impact on tennis. Five percent think Major League Baseball’s Mike Trout had the biggest impact on the diamond, and 6% are unsure.
Table: Player with the Biggest Impact on Their Sport in 2012
Don’t Believe the Hype
Which athlete do sports fans think is the most overhyped? A plurality — 46% — says Tim Tebow of the New York Jets deserves this dubious distinction. Third baseman for the New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez, is believed by 18% to be the most overrated athlete this year. NASCAR’s Danica Patrick is perceived by 12% to be the most overvalued athlete. Linsanity fizzled out for the 8% of sports fans nationally who believe the NBA’s Jeremy Lin is the most overhyped athlete. Six percent say Olympic track star Lolo Jones is the most overrated, and 10% are unsure.
Just how many adults nationally are sports fans? Six in ten — 60% — are while 40% are not.
Table: Most Overhyped Athlete of 2012
About Keith Strudler, Ph.D.
Keith Strudler, Ph.D., is the director for the Marist College Center for Sports Communication. Dr. Strudler founded Marist’s popular concentration in sports communication in 2002, now one of the nation’s largest in the discipline. He studies and teaches in the areas of sports media, sport and society, and sports reporting and information. Dr. Strudler also writes weekly sports commentary for WAMC, an NPR radio station in Albany, NY.
7/23: London Olympic Games Spur Sense of Pride in Many Americans
July 23, 2012 by Marist Poll
Filed under Featured, Special Events, Sports, Sports Bench
Attention will be “across the pond” on Friday for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. 80% of adults nationally say they will follow, at least, some of the Olympic Games. This includes 19% who plan to check out a great deal of them, 23% who think they will follow a good amount of the events, and 38% who believe they will follow them a little bit. One in five — 20% — does not plan to check out any of the events.
Click Here for Complete July 23, 2012 USA Poll Release and Tables
Looking at age, those under 30 — 74% — are the least likely to watch, at least, a portion of the Olympics. This compares with 81% of Americans 30 to 44, 80% of residents 45 to 59, and 84% of those 60 and older.
And, half of Americans are feeling a sense of healthy competition and pride. 50% of adults nationally say it’s more interesting to see if U.S. athletes win the most medals. 43%, however, think it’s more interesting to witness records being set regardless of which country the athlete represents. Seven percent are unsure.
Half of Americans under 30 years of age — 50% — are more interested in having records set while 50% of those 30 to 44, 53% of residents 45 to 59, and 54% of those 60 and older are more engaged in the number of medals the nation collects.
Looking at gender, a majority of women — 52% — are interested in the number of medals the U.S. wins, and 41% want to see new records achieved. Men divide. 49% are rooting for the U.S.A. to bring home the gold, but 45% are more focused on the records set.
This Marist Poll has been done in conjunction with The Marist College Center for Sports Communication.
“When it comes to nationalism versus records, nationalism still wins,” says Dr. Keith Strudler, Director of The Marist College Center for Sports Communication. “But, records are still important to many Olympic viewers. That’s why both are stressed during Olympic coverage by U.S. media, and you’ll see select superstar athletes from other countries on top of the normal American fare.”
When it comes to the nation’s most fierce competitor, 41% of adults nationally believe China will be America’s strongest challenger. 15% think Russia will be while 8% say Canada will be the country’s toughest rival. Great Britain and Australia each receive 7%. 21% are unsure.
Table: Watch the 2012 Summer Olympics
Table: U.S. Medals or New Olympic Records
Table: America’s Strongest Competitor for the 2012 Summer Olympics
Gymnastics Takes Gold in Popularity
Three in ten watchers of the Olympics — 30% — say they are most looking forward to checking out the gymnastics events. 23% are pumped up about swimming while 18% are marking their calendars for the track and field events. Basketball is the most anticipated event for 11% of watchers while soccer receives the attention of 10%. Four percent of enthusiasts are psyched about diving while the same proportion — 4% — is looking forward to another event entirely.
There is a gender gap. A plurality of women who plan to watch the Olympics — 44% — are anticipating the gymnastics competition. However, there is little consensus among men. 28% are most looking forward to the track and field competition while 24% are getting ready for the swimming events.
Table: Summer Olympic Event Most Looking Forward to Watching
Phelps and Williams Expected to be High Profile Athletes
Half of Americans planning to watch the Olympics — 50% — say swimming sensation Michael Phelps will make the biggest male splash in London. 17% believe basketball phenom LeBron James will be the biggest male star of the competition while 8% say Jamaican track star Usain Bolt deserves that title. Five percent think swimmer Ryan Lochte will be the male talk of the Olympics while South African Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee runner, is expected by 1% to receive the most attention. Nearly one in five — 19% — is unsure.
When it comes to the star female athlete of the 2012 Olympic Games, 43% believe tennis great Serena Williams will achieve that status. Soccer’s Hope Solo comes in a distant second with 11% followed by track athlete Lolo Jones with 9%. Seven percent expect gymnast Jordyn Wieber to be in the spotlight while 5% say the same about track’s Allyson Felix. 26% are unsure.
Table: Male Star of 2012 Summer Olympics
Table: Female Star of 2012 Summer Olympics
Tube Time or Online? How Enthusiasts are Following the Games
How will those who plan to watch the Olympics get their fix? 61% expect to tune in via television only. 31% think they will add a little online viewing to their TV watching while just 5% say they will follow the Olympics mostly online with a little TV sprinkled into the mix. Three percent will watch only online.
Not surprisingly, 79% of adults planning to watch the Olympic Games over the age of 60 say they will only view the events on TV. 60% of those 45 to 59 say the same. 49% of Olympics enthusiasts age 30 to 44, and the same proportion of those under 30 years old — 49% — report they will watch the events on TV only. A notable 14% of Americans younger than 30 say they will solely follow the games online, and an additional 13% of this age group plan to view the games mostly online.
Table: How Americans Are Watching 2012 Summer Olympics
About Keith Strudler, Ph.D.
Strudler, Ph.D., is the director of the Marist College Center for Sports Communication. Dr. Strudler founded Marist’s popular concentration in sports communication in 2002, now one of the nation’s largest in the discipline. He studies and teaches in the areas of sports media, sport and society, and sports reporting and information. Dr. Strudler also writes weekly sports commentary for WAMC, an NPR radio station in Albany, NY.
4/4: Take Me Out to the Ball Game? Maybe Not
April 4, 2012 by Marist Poll
Filed under Baseball, Featured, Sports, Sports Bench
Major League Baseball’s Opening Night is tonight! As teams gear up to take the field, a majority of baseball fans nationally say they, once again, are not planning to attend any games this season. 53% report they did not attend any baseball games last season and do not plan to venture out to the stadium this season. 31% of baseball fans think they will go to about the same number of games as last year, 10% are planning to attend more, and 6% report they will be present for fewer games. Results were similar when the Marist Poll last reported this question in April 2010.
Photo Courtesy of Stephanie L. Calvano
Click Here for Complete April 4, 2012 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables
Ticket prices are likely a factor here. Nearly 6 in 10 national baseball fans — 56% — report the cost of a ticket for a major league baseball game is not a good value for the money. 34% disagree and say they get a good bang for their buck. 10% are unsure. These proportions are unchanged from two years ago.
Looking at region, those in the Northeast are most likely to balk about the value received for the cost of a ticket to the game. Nearly three-quarters — 73% — do not think they are getting their money’s worth. Majorities in the Midwest — 55% — and South — 52% — share this view. Baseball fans in the West divide. 47% say the cost of a ticket to a game is not a good value for the money while 46% state it is.
Table: More or Less Games Than Last Year
Root, Root, Root for the Home Team?
Who do national baseball fans root for on the diamond? 16% cheer for the New York Yankees, 7% root for the Boston Red Sox, 6% say they support the Atlanta Braves, and the same proportion — 6% — is in the Chicago Cubs’ corner. Five percent are on the side of the St. Louis Cardinals while a majority of baseball fans — 53% — pick another team for which to root. Seven percent are unsure.
Region is a factor. 38% and 24% of fans living in the Northeast, respectively, say they cheer for the Yankees and Red Sox. In the Midwest, 21% are Cubs fans. Those in the South divide with 18% pulling for the Braves and 16% cheering for the Bronx Bombers.
Pre-Season Picks…Yankees are Early Favorite to Win World Series
Baseball fans nationally — 21% –choose the Yankees as the early favorite to take home the title of World Series Champions. Coming in a distant second are the Red Sox — 7% — followed by the Philadelphia Phillies — 7%. Rounding out the top five are the LA Angels of Anaheim — 5% — and the Texas Rangers with the same proportion — 5%. Nearly three in ten fans — 29% — think another team will win it all, and a notable 27% are unsure.
When the Marist Poll reported this question at the beginning of last year’s post-season in September 2011, the New York Yankees — 22% –were at the top of the heap as baseball fans’ favorite. At that time, only 2% picked the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals to win it all.
Table: Team Favored to Win the World Series
Baseball Fans
Half of adults nationally — 50% — report they follow Major League Baseball at least a little. This includes 10% who watch a great deal of the sport, 10% who take in a good amount, and 30% who watch what happens on the diamond a little. 50% do not follow baseball at all.
These proportions are similar to when Marist last reported this question. 47% of adults in September followed baseball at least a little, while 53% said they didn’t watch at all.
3/29: Majority Thinks Colleges Break NCAA Rules…Most Say Only Scholarships for Athletes
March 29, 2012 by Marist Poll
Filed under Featured, Special Events, Sports, Sports Bench
All eyes will be on the NCAA Final Four this weekend. But, when it comes to recruiting and training practices, do college sports’ programs break NCAA rules? A majority of sports fans nationally — 55% — think it is common practice to act outside of the regulations while 35% believe it is not common practice. 10% are unsure.
By Reisio (Own work) (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons
This Marist Poll has been done in conjunction with The Marist College Center for Sports Communication.
Click Here for Complete March 29, 2012 USA Poll Release and Tables
There’s been a lot of debate about the type of compensation top college athletes should receive, and now, sports fans are weighing in. Nearly seven in ten sports fans nationally — 68% — believe athletes should only receive scholarships. 27% think these athletes should be given both a scholarship and a salary while only 5% report college athletes should be given neither a scholarship nor monetary compensation.
What about college coaches? Nearly six in ten sports fans — 57% — believe coaches of top college sports’ programs should be paid less than coaches in professional sports. 39% think they should receive about the same pay as coaches of professional sports teams while only 4% say they should be paid more.
“While paying college athletes isn’t largely supported, it seems that a majority also feel that college coaches shouldn’t be compensated as highly either,” says Dr. Keith Strudler, Director of The Marist College Center for Sports Communication.
Nearly six in ten adults nationally — 58% — are sports fans while 42% say they are not. This is little changed from when Marist last reported this question in December. At that time, 61% of residents said they were sports fans.
Table: College Sports’ Programs Recruiting Practices
Table: Compensation for Top College Athletes
Table: Salaries for Coaches of Top College Sports’ Programs
Number of NCAA Men’s Basketball Teams on Target, Say Fans
The NCAA basketball tournament may be heading into the Final Four, but the men’s tournament starts out with 68 teams, and according to 78% of college basketball fans, that number hits the mark. 18%, however, think there are too many teams while 4% believe there are too few.
Just how many adults nationally are college basketball fans? 43% follow the sport, at least, to some extent. This includes 9% who watch a great deal of the sport, 9% who follow it a good amount, and 25% who tune in a little. However, a majority — 56% — does not follow college basketball at all.
Table: Number of Teams in NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
Table: College Basketball Fans Nationally
From the Court to the Field: College Football Fans Want a Playoff System
Could college football’s Bowl Championship Series become a thing of the past? More than two-thirds of college football fans nationally — 68% — believe it’s a good idea to replace the current system with a playoff system. One in five — 20% — says changing the system is a bad idea, and 12% are unsure.
46% of adults nationally, however, are not college football fans while 54% call themselves fans. Included here are 15% who watch college football a great deal, 11% who follow the sport a good amount, and 28% who catch a little of it.
Table: Idea to Change College Football Bowl Championship Series to Playoff System
Table: College Football Fans Nationally
About Keith Strudler, Ph.D.
Strudler, Ph.D., is the director of the Marist College Center for Sports Communication. Dr. Strudler founded Marist’s popular concentration in sports communication in 2002, now one of the nation’s largest in the discipline. He studies and teaches in the areas of sports media, sport and society, and sports reporting and information. Dr. Strudler also writes weekly sports commentary for WAMC, an NPR radio station in Albany, NY.
12/15: Goal! USA Women’s Soccer Victory Best Sports Accomplishment of 2011
December 15, 2011 by Marist Poll
Filed under Featured, Special Events, Sports, Sports Bench
2011 has been a big year for sports! And, of all the great moments, the win by USA women’s soccer over Brazil in the World Cup takes the top spot as the best single sports accomplishment of the year. Nearly one-third of sports fans nationally — 32% — have this view. The sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks comes in a distant second with 18% while Derek Jeter getting his 3,000th hit is perceived to be the most significant sports accomplishment of 2011 by 15%. 13% believe Butler’s second trip to the NCAA Championship rates most significant while 11% say the Rose Bowl win by Texas Christian University deserves that description. Five percent think another sports moment is the best, and 6% are unsure.
©istockphoto.com/Pasha Ignatov
This Marist Poll has been done in conjunction with The Marist College Center for Sports Communication.
Click Here for Complete December 15, 2011 Poll Release and Tables
“These results speak to the public’s greater respect for women’s sports as well as our clear thirst for nationalism through sport,” says Dr. Keith Strudler, Director of The Marist College Center for Sports Communication. “We should always consider that while we live in an increasingly global society, sport remains one of the few places to reclaim national identity and superiority. That may be particularly true as the United States faces economic uncertainty amidst the rise of new emerging superpowers.”
While those 30 years of age and older — 31% of those 30 to 44, 39% of those 45 to 59, and 32% of those 60 and older — rank the World Cup win as the best single sports accomplishment of the year, 30% of those under 30 say the Mavericks’ victory deserves the title.
More women — 37% — than men — 29% — report USA besting Brazil in the World Cup takes the number one slot.
Table: Single Best Sports Accomplishment of 2011
Packers Split the Uprights … Super Bowl Win Called Best Sports Championship of 2011
The Lombardi Trophy isn’t the only award the Green Bay Packers have received in 2011. The team’s Super Bowl victory is considered to be the best sports championship of the year by 36% of sports fans. Three in ten — 30% — say the St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series was the home run of sports this year while 15% think the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA Championship win was a slam dunk. The Boston Bruins’ Stanley Cup win and Rory McIlroy’s US Open victory are perceived by 8% and 5%, respectively, as the best sports championship of 2011. Three percent select another championship, and 3% are unsure.
There are age and gender differences on this question. While more than four in ten sports fans under 30 — 41% — and 38% of those 60 and older rate the Packers’ Super Bowl victory as the greatest championship of the year, there is less of a consensus among fans in other age groups. 33% of those 30 to 44 choose the Super Bowl win while 29% select the Cardinals’ World Series victory. Among fans 45 to 59, 32% select the Packers’ victory while the same proportion — 32% — rate the Cardinals’ World Series victory as the top championship of 2011.
Table: Best Sports Championship of 2011
Lockouts Have Biggest Impact on Sports in 2011 … Aaron Rodgers Most Influential Player
A plurality of sports fans — 41% — say, when it comes to the biggest impact on sports this year, the NBA and NFL lockouts and labor disputes have left the largest mark. Nearly three in ten — 28% — think the scandals in college athletics have had the greatest impact while 15% report investigations and trials for performance enhancing drugs have topped the list. 12% believe college conference realignment has had the most impact, and 4% are unsure.
While 43% of fans in the West, 42% of those in the Midwest, and 42% of fans in the South believe the lockouts had the biggest impact, 41% of Northeast fans say the same about the scandals in college athletics.
Which player has had the biggest mark on his sport in 2011? 32% of fans say NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been the most influential. Nearly one in five — 19% — report NBA player LeBron James had the biggest impact on basketball while 15% say NFL quarterback Tim Tebow had the biggest effect on football. Golfer Rory McIlroy is deemed by 13% to be the player with the largest impact on his sport while 12% report NBA player Dirk Nowitski greatly impacted basketball. Nine percent are unsure.
While older sports fans — 42% of those between 30 and 44 years of age, 31% of those 45 to 59, and 31% of those 60 and older — say Rodgers had the biggest impact in 2011, younger fans — 34% of those under the age of 30 — think LeBron James has.
There is a gender difference. 39% of men say Aaron Rodgers deserves the title of most influential sports player. However, there is less of a consensus among women. Here, 23% select Rodgers while 22% choose LeBron James.
Just how many adults nationally are sports fans? More than six in ten — 61% — say they are while 39% report they are not.
Table: Story with the Biggest Impact on Sports in 2011
Table: Player with the Biggest Impact on Their Sport in 2011
About Keith Strudler, Ph.D.
Keith Strudler, Ph.D., is the director for the Marist College Center for Sports Communication. Dr. Strudler founded Marist’s popular concentration in sports communication in 2002, now one of the nation’s largest in the discipline. He studies and teaches in the areas of sports media, sport and society, and sports reporting and information. Dr. Strudler also writes weekly sports commentary for WAMC, an NPR radio station in Albany, NY.
9/27: No Clear NFL Surprise
September 27, 2011 by Marist Poll
Filed under Featured, Football, Sports, Sports Bench
With the NFL season underway, is there a sleeper team in the mix? According to this Marist Poll, there’s no clear surprise among football fans nationally. Nine percent of fans think the Detroit Lions will be the biggest surprise this season, 6% believe the Dallas Cowboys will come out of nowhere while the same proportion — 6% — say the Philadelphia Eagles will be this year’s upset team. The Green Bay Packers are perceived by 5% to charge the field and shock football fans while 4% say the Oakland Raiders will split the uprights as the NFL’s surprise of the season. A majority — 55% — believe another team will shock fans and commentators alike, and 15% are unsure.
©istockphoto.com/spxchrome
Click Here for Complete September 27, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables
The proportion of football fans remains consistent. 67% of adults nationally report they watch football at least a little. Included here are 22% who tune into the sport a great deal, 17% who follow it a good amount, and 28% who watch it a little. 34% of U.S. residents, however, do not follow the sport at all.
In November 2010, 68% followed professional football at least a little. Included here are 18% who admitted to being an armchair quarterback most of the time, 15% who caught a good amount of football fever, and 35% reported they followed a little of the action on the gridiron. 32%, at that time, said they had no interest in the sport.
Table: NFL Surprise of 2011-2012 Season
Table: Professional Football Fans
9/27: Baseball Fans in New York State of Mind: Yankees Seen as World Series Favorites
September 27, 2011 by Marist Poll
Filed under Baseball, Featured, Sports, Sports Bench
Major League Baseball’s post-season begins this week. So, who do baseball fans nationally favor to win the World Series? More than one in five — 22% — think the New York Yankees will round the bases into their 28th World Series Championship, 16% say the Philadelphia Phillies will take the win, and only 6% believe the Boston Red Sox will slide into victory. Last year’s World Series champions, the San Francisco Giants, are favored to repeat by just 3% of baseball fans. The same proportion — 3% — thinks the Texas Rangers, the Atlanta Braves, or the Detroit Tigers will steal the title. 17% believe another team entirely will take the title, and 26% are unsure.
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Click Here for Complete September 27, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables
While more baseball fans sit behind the Yankees dugout, their arch rivals, the Boston Red Sox, have fallen from grace in the eyes of baseball fans. When Marist last reported this question in July, 17% favored the Bronx Bombers while 15% boasted the Red Sox. 10% touted the Phillies while 4% cheered on the Giants. Now out of the top five, 4% thought the St. Louis Cardinals would go all the way. 23%, then, said another team would be crowned the champions of baseball while 27% were unsure.
Die-hard baseball fans are few and far between. In fact, a majority of adults nationally — 53% — do not watch baseball at all while 30% tune in a little. Only 8% catch America’s pastime a good amount while 9% follow baseball a great deal.
Little has changed on this question since Marist’s July survey. At that time, 52% didn’t follow baseball at all, 30% had a little interest in the game, and 9% said they followed the sport a good amount. One in ten — 10% — proclaimed they were avid followers.
Table: Team Favored to Win the World Series
7/11: Yanks, Red Sox Vie for First Place in the Stadium of Public Opinion
July 11, 2011 by Marist Poll
Filed under Baseball, Featured, Sports, Sports Bench
Major League Baseball’s midseason break is underway. So, with tomorrow’s All-Star Game on the horizon, who do fans think will win it all in this year’s World Series?
Photo Courtesy of Stephanie L. Calvano
Click here for Complete July 11, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables
According to this Marist Poll, the rivalry lives on! 17% of baseball fans nationally believe the New York Yankees will, once again, be crowned the kings of baseball. However, they are in a virtual dead heat with their arch rivals, the Boston Red Sox. 15% report the Sox will be victorious. The Philadelphia Phillies slide into the third spot with 10% of baseball fans on their side. 2010 World Series champs, the San Francisco Giants, who weren’t even a blip on baseball fans’ scorecard this time last year, receive 4%. The St. Louis Cardinals also catch 4%. 23% of fans think another team will receive the championship title, and 27% are unsure.
When Marist reported this question last July, the Yankees were more of a fan favorite. At that time, nearly three in ten baseball fans — 29% — thought the Bronx Bombers would round the bases into another World Series Championship title. The Red Sox hit a grand slam in the minds of 11% followed by the Phillies with 5%. The L.A. Dodgers, who were called out this year by fans, made the top five in 2010 with 4%. Little has changed for the Cardinals who also received 4% at the time. 20%, last year, thought another team would be victorious, and 27% were unsure.
Table: Team Favored to Win the World Series
MLB Division Divide
There’s talk in the MLB to eliminate multiple divisions within the American and National Leagues and just have two leagues where the teams play each other the same number of times. It would also re-structure the playoffs. Should the rules of America’s pastime change, or should the chatter be thrown out before it reaches first base? Baseball fans divide. 42% think this change is a good idea while 39% believe it is a bad one. 18% are unsure.
Just how many baseball fans are there nationally? A majority of U.S. residents are not fans. 52% report they don’t watch baseball at all. 49%, however, check out a game at least a little. Included here, are 10% who watch the sport a great deal, 9% who catch a good amount of it, and 30% who follow the sport a little.
There is little change on this question since last year. At that time, 54% said they didn’t watch baseball at all, and 46% revealed they watched it at least a little.
