Survey Says: 70% of Americans Say They Are Sports Fans

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.

Packers Most Popular Team in..... Oregon

Was surprised to see this is a Twitter post the other day, so I thought I would check it out.

Not sure if one of the reasons is they share some of the sames colors as the University of Oregon Ducks, but...

According to a new survey by Public Policy Polling, which usually measures presidential approval or the relative standings of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

A recent PPP survey showed that the Green Bay Packers (16 percent) are the team favored by more Oregonians than the Seattle Seahawks (15 percent).

The top two are followed by the San Francisco 49ers (10 percent), the Dallas Cowboys (8 percent), the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders (6 percent apiece), the New York Giants (3 percent) and San Diego Chargers (2 percent).

A total of 34 percent of Oregonians surveyed said they have no favorite NFL team, or listed another franchise.

The poll surveyed 686 residents of the Beaver State, which means the Packers and ‘Hawks are in a statistical tie.  Still, Seattle is 180 miles up Interstate 5 while Green Bay is 2,000 miles away.  We share a climate with Oregon, and Cougar Gold is as good (or better) than any Wisconsin cheese.

Nationally, a PPP survey late last year found the Packers to be America’s most popular NFL team, while the Cowboys are the most disliked.