http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=622
Relating to the ESPN thread it seems showboating is losing popularity.
The article doesn't keep it's formating but when asked to choose a favorite sport the top 10 are.......
1-Pro Football 33%
2- Baseball 14%
3-College Football 13%
4- Auto Racing 11%
5- Mens College BB 5%
5-Hockey 5%
7-Pro Basketball 4%
8-Mens Golf 4%
3 tied for 9th with 2% Boxing, Mens Soccer, Horse racing
Since the poll was first conducted in 1985 the top 3 gainers were
1-Football +9%
2-Racing +6%
3-NHL and CFB tied at +3%
Biggest losers since 85
1-Baseball -9%
2-Mens Tennis -4%
3-NBA, Horses, Bowling -2%
In 1985 pro football had a 1% lead over Baseball, that lead is now 19% of fans, staggering.
Baseball lost me in the work stoppage of 1981, their multiple strikes have severly crippled the sport, and the steroids issue aren't helping either.
The NBA peaked in 1997-98 at 13%, due in most part to Michael Jordan and has plummeted since the emergence of idiots like Dennis Rodman, Kobe etc. If the NBA doesn't figure out that it's appeal is tied to off court (and on court) behavior and maybe playing something called defense once in a while they're doomed.
The NHL declined in the late 90's thanks to the trap defense. It seems the rule changes are having an impact in turning it around, although I miss the fights.
Rant over.
Relating to the ESPN thread it seems showboating is losing popularity.
The article doesn't keep it's formating but when asked to choose a favorite sport the top 10 are.......
1-Pro Football 33%
2- Baseball 14%
3-College Football 13%
4- Auto Racing 11%
5- Mens College BB 5%
5-Hockey 5%
7-Pro Basketball 4%
8-Mens Golf 4%
3 tied for 9th with 2% Boxing, Mens Soccer, Horse racing
Since the poll was first conducted in 1985 the top 3 gainers were
1-Football +9%
2-Racing +6%
3-NHL and CFB tied at +3%
Biggest losers since 85
1-Baseball -9%
2-Mens Tennis -4%
3-NBA, Horses, Bowling -2%
In 1985 pro football had a 1% lead over Baseball, that lead is now 19% of fans, staggering.
Baseball lost me in the work stoppage of 1981, their multiple strikes have severly crippled the sport, and the steroids issue aren't helping either.
The NBA peaked in 1997-98 at 13%, due in most part to Michael Jordan and has plummeted since the emergence of idiots like Dennis Rodman, Kobe etc. If the NBA doesn't figure out that it's appeal is tied to off court (and on court) behavior and maybe playing something called defense once in a while they're doomed.
The NHL declined in the late 90's thanks to the trap defense. It seems the rule changes are having an impact in turning it around, although I miss the fights.
Rant over.