Nationality and US popularity

[tarheelhockey]

While without a doubt football is a very popular sport for gamblers, the vast majority of football fans are not gambling on football. Studies show that in 2001 65% of American men and 42% of American women considered themselves football fans (Gallup survey).


MOD: deleted.

This is what I've been trying to express. No doubt that football is a great "fit" for gambling and that gives it an edge among gamblers, but the vast majority of fans are not habitual gamblers and I bet a solid majority have not been significantly influenced by gambling. Even if gambling ceased to exist, football would still be the most popular sport by a wide margin.

 

[Badger36]

Id say its more that most people didnt play hockey as a kid, so they dont understand it and that hockey has to compete with the NFL and baseball and its very difficult for hockey to compete with estabilshed sports that people have watched/played all their lives.

 

[TaketheCannoli]

Id say its more that most people didnt play hockey as a kid, so they dont understand it and that hockey has to compete with the NFL and baseball and its very difficult for hockey to compete with estabilshed sports that people have watched/played all their lives.

I'm just not too sure this is very accurate. First, if 40+% of women are football fans, its extremely unlikely they played. I don't have any studies to cite, but I think the vast majority of football fans aren't very knowledgeable. They don't understand much beyond pass or run. For the most part they have a basic understanding of football rules.

I believe hockey's challenge is lack of exposure in much of the US. In my travels, I find the average person in markets like Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, and San Jose is not a hockey fan.

 

[MAROONSRoad]

Hasn't happened. Won't happen. Ever. That's my beef with the Phoenix fans. They were lucky enough to benefit from our loss, and they have completely ignored the gift they were given. They don't give a ****, so **** 'em.

I think your beef with Phoenix fans is that they don't exist, at least in large numbers. However, your beef should be directed at the NHL, not the actual hockey fans that do happen to exist down there. They have my sympathy for having to go through this ordeal. It is the NHL that is to blame for the current state of the league. The policies of the NHL are really no different than the policies of most global corporations -- they are looking to expand their business and could care less about anything else such as being stewards of the game. The problem with the NHL is they are not particularly good at this despite claims of increased revenues.

GHOST

 

[KuralySnipes]

Hockey is big here in New England, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Chicago/Milwaukee area

 

[KuralySnipes]

oh ya forgot Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington.