Seventy percent of Americans say they're sports fans, according to a national survey of 3,201 American residents released today by the Siena College Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University's Jandoli School of Communication.
72% say they're football fans, even if not sports fan
83% watch football to bond with family and friends
81% "because it's fun"
65% "because it is exciting"
82% say that they learn about teamwork by watching football
79% learn about strategy
72% learn about leadership
27% say football is too violent
America's most like and most hated team: Dallas Cowboys.
Most popular 'active' NFL player: Tom Brady (followed by Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers)
Most popular former player: Joe Montana (followed by Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Walter Payton)
"Sports in general and football specifically are central to who we are and what we do as a nation and as individuals," said Aaron Chimbel, St. Bonaventure's Jandoli School of Communication dean. "It connects communities, families and friends in ways that no other sport does, and it is important to understand why and how football is part of our social fabric."
The survey identified four categories of fanship – Avid, Involved, Casual and Non-Fan – based on people's sports fan activities.
"For Avid fans, sports is woven into their lives every day. They constantly watch, listen, check scores, and banter about sports. Involved fans love the games but don't engage daily, while casual fans likely check in on the weekends. The remaining 27% may watch a game infrequently, but sports is not front and center," said Don Levy, Siena College Research Institute Director.