Who is the Most Popular Sports Franchise???

[zdaddy]

Poll coming.

There will be an "other" option if you dont agree with the 9 given. I chose based on overall percepted popularity.

[41ravens]

there's a difference between "popular" and "loved".

that being said, i voted yanks. sox are a close second.

[Fishbulb290]

Football is the most popular sport. Cowboys are the most popular team in said sport.

[thebestauntie]

Well I voted Sox, but I think it's really the Yanks (but I just couldn't vote for them!).

[zdaddy]

Football is the most popular sport. Cowboys are the most popular team in said sport.
typical naive cowboys fan;) :lol

[SqueeBaBooSquee]

I think the most hated sports teams are Chicago teams ( besides The White Sox and Bulls )

What do you mean by popular ?

The most "liked" sports team ? or just the most "heard of " ?

[zdaddy]

I think the most hated sports teams are Chicago teams ( besides The White Sox and Bulls )

What do you mean by popular ?

The most "liked" sports team ? or just the most "heard of " ?
its really a combination of both, so im hoping no one will say "other" and then state Tampa Bay Devil Rays because they are their favorite baseball team

[boarderx5423]

Yanks.

[Fishbulb290]

typical naive cowboys fan;) :lol

It's fact...

Going by the definition of popular...

[smeritt]

The Cowboys have always been America's team. And honestly when you think of football you think of the Cowboys.

But sorry Yanks take the cake.

[zdaddy]

It's fact...

Going by the definition of popular...

Why, because they are popular this year? Steelers and Packers over the course of time have been statistically more popular. My comment was more of a joke because i have a lot of family that lives in Texas and they are all hardcore cowboy fans, and its always a little fun feud we have.

I guess if there is anything else to say, my dad is consistently overseas for business, and whenever US sports gets brought up, the 4 things that are always asked about are: Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers.

[spoot388]

The Yankees are recognized throughout the entire world, not just the US. They are the most famous and most popular. Hell, just because of Matsui, half of Japan is now a Yankee fan. Sure the other half is a Marinesrs fan, but no one outside of Seattle and Japan really care for the M's. And Yankees are even more popular than the Cowboys, even if its just in the US.

[zdaddy]

The Yankees are recognized throughout the entire world, not just the US. They are the most famous and most popular. Hell, just because of Matsui, half of Japan is now a Yankee fan. Sure the other half is a Marinesrs fan, but no one outside of Seattle and Japan really care for the M's. And Yankees are even more popular than the Cowboys, even if its just in the US.
Most well known? By and far (I cannot stress that enough!)! Problem is almost everyone ive ever met (and im including people from New York in this) despise the Yankees more than almost any other team

[funksoul]

The Yankees are recognized throughout the entire world, not just the US. They are the most famous and most popular. Hell, just because of Matsui, half of Japan is now a Yankee fan. Sure the other half is a Marinesrs fan, but no one outside of Seattle and Japan really care for the M's. And Yankees are even more popular than the Cowboys, even if its just in the US.

Agreed with Yankees. to further the point they have some sort of co-merchandising deal with Manchster United, which I believe is the most popular franchise globally. Also, baseball is way more global than football.

[aeroshady]

Poll coming.

There will be an "other" option if you dont agree with the 9 given. I chose based on overall percepted popularity.

if you mean in the World...no one comes close to Manchester United. ESPN did something on this like 4 or 5 years ago.

[funksoul]

I should have read the poll question. Not most popular (although they're probably a top 10 because of the WGN superstation) but possibly most loved is Chicago Cubs. Nobody besides White Wox and Cardinals fans really hate the Cubs. If they were in the World Series, 95% of the US and the rest of the world would be cheering for them. Name another franchise who can claim that!!

[ProudestAnt]

I should have read the poll question. Not most popular (although they're probably a top 10 because of the WGN superstation) but possibly most loved is Chicago Cubs. Nobody besides White Wox and Cardinals fans really hate the Cubs. If they were in the World Series, 95% of the US and the rest of the world would be cheering for them. Name another franchise who can claim that!! Just because they're possibly the most pathetic team in sports, doesn't mean they're the most loved...

[SoRight24]

I think we are talking just in the US right?

Nobody cares about Soccer anyways...

I'd have to go with the Cowboys.

[Fishbulb290]

Why, because they are popular this year? Steelers and Packers over the course of time have been statistically more popular. My comment was more of a joke because i have a lot of family that lives in Texas and they are all hardcore cowboy fans, and its always a little fun feud we have.

I guess if there is anything else to say, my dad is consistently overseas for business, and whenever US sports gets brought up, the 4 things that are always asked about are: Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers.

I would like to see where your info is coming from. The Cowboy's across the sport have the most fans. More people watch football than any other sport.

Done and done.

[LisaH]

It kills me to admit, but I went with the Cowboys.

[zdaddy]

I would like to see where your info is coming from. The Cowboy's across the sport have the most fans. More people watch football than any other sport.

Done and done.
I just said this came from my dads mouth. He also lived in Europe for several years, which is arguably the biggest foreign market of US based sports. Internationally it is the Steelers and Packers. And im not sure where you are getting this across the sport thing, because ESPN ( i believe, sorry i cant site a source now) had Pittsburgh and Green Bay virtually tied for the top spot in NFL fanbase.

[vinyljunkie]

there was just a story about this on yahoo a few weeks ago, the cowboys are the most popular team in the nation. U guys didnt see that?

[ProudestAnt]

there was just a story about this on yahoo a few weeks ago, the cowboys are the most popular team in the nation. U guys didnt see that? Too bad there was a poll on ESPN this morning that said that the Sox were America's team. You see what I did there?

[Fishbulb290]

I just said this came from my dads mouth. He also lived in Europe for several years, which is arguably the biggest foreign market of US based sports. Internationally it is the Steelers and Packers. And im not sure where you are getting this across the sport thing, because ESPN ( i believe, sorry i cant site a source now) had Pittsburgh and Green Bay virtually tied for the top spot in NFL fanbase.

If we are talking about European/across the world teams (which I'm 99% sure we aren't) then some soccer team would win hands down.

[zdaddy]

If we are talking about European/across the world teams (which I'm 99% sure we aren't) then some soccer team would win hands down.
my poll was based upon US (and one Canadian, heck were practically the same) based sports teams. Probably should have put that in the top post, my fault

[vinyljunkie]

Too bad there was a poll on ESPN this morning that said that the Sox were America's team. You see what I did there?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/Dallas-most-popular-NFL-team-Jags-least?urn=nfl,47568

[Fishbulb290]

my poll was based upon US (and one Canadian, heck were practically the same) based sports teams. Probably should have put that in the top post, my fault

Than what you are talking about is irrelevant.

[Fishbulb290]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/Dallas-most-popular-NFL-team-Jags-least?urn=nfl,47568

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POPUP_TYPE&newsId=20071001005193&ndmHsc=v2*A1191247200000*B1191311634000*DgroupByIn dustry*E1000171*G2*J1*N1000001&newsLang=en&beanID=1802668732&viewID=news_view_popup

There is the full thing...

[BreakFree27]

why the hell are the maple leafs on the list???

[zdaddy]

why the hell are the maple leafs on the list???
for those crazy toothless hockey fans;)

[ProudestAnt]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/Dallas-most-popular-NFL-team-Jags-least?urn=nfl,47568 Most popular NFL team, congrats, want a cookie?

[funksoul]

Just because they're possibly the most pathetic team in sports, doesn't mean they're the most loved...

Yikes tough words from a Bills man.

Anyways...the more I think about I think the Cubs might be the most loved team...not most popular but most loved.

Seriously can anyone name one other team in ANY sport that would have more fans rooting for them than a Cubs World Series? Or conversely name any other team that would have less fans rooting against them.

[ProudestAnt]

Yikes tough words from a Bills man.

Anyways...the more I think about I think the Cubs might be the most loved team...not most popular but most loved.

Seriously can anyone name one other team in ANY sport that would have more fans rooting for them than a Cubs World Series? Or conversely name any other team that would have less fans rooting against them. Again, people only cheer for them because it's so pathetic how long they've gone without winning. And yes, I'm a Bills fan, but you don't see me with delusions of grandure about my team being the most popular in sports...

[funksoul]

Again, people only cheer for them because it's so pathetic how long they've gone without winning. And yes, I'm a Bills fan, but you don't see me with delusions of grandure about my team being the most popular in sports...

I clearly said I did NOT think they were the most popular. Please read again.

I'm simply saying they might be the least hated...for whatever reasons that may be...yes much of it has to do with the "lovable losers" stigma but that is what it is regardless of the reasons.

So can you name another team?

[Amy1518]

When I think of "popular" I think of who has the most fans/who is least despised. Just about everyone that I know hates the Yankees, honestly I can't think of one person I know that actually likes them. Perhaps if there was a most hated franchise they would win. I would have loved to have said the Red Sox, but I was trying not to be biased. I went with Green Bay Packers, and I hate the Packers. Maybe it's just because I'm in the midwest and that's all I seem to see around here. But the history that they have is amazing...and a ridiculously loyal following.

[Fishbulb290]

Most popular NFL team, congrats, want a cookie?

That's pretty much the point of this thread, no?

[funksoul]

Again, people only cheer for them because it's so pathetic how long they've gone without winning. And yes, I'm a Bills fan, but you don't see me with delusions of grandure about my team being the most popular in sports...

To summarize in US:

Popular-Yankees
Loved-Cubs

World:

Popular: Man. U
Loved: ?

[ProudestAnt]

That's pretty much the point of this thread, no? The idea of THIS thread is the most popular in general, not just in one sport...

[Fishbulb290]

The idea of THIS thread is the most popular in general, not just in one sport...

I understand I'm just saying the NFL is most popular. Cowboys are are most popular in the sport.

Whether or not that translates to most popular overall I'm not sure.

[funksoul]

I understand I'm just saying the NFL is most popular. Cowboys are are most popular in the sport.

Whether or not that translates to most popular overall I'm not sure.

I'm not going to debate whether the NFL is the nost popular sport because it clerly is. BUT...you do have to consider tens of thousand of more Americans attended a baseball game this year than did an NFL game.

[ProudestAnt]

I'm not going to debate whether the NFL is the nost popular sport because it clerly is. BUT...you do have to consider tens of thousand of more Americans attended a baseball game this year than did an NFL game. Because they play 162x30 games as opposed to the NFL's 16x32...

[Fishbulb290]

I'm not going to debate whether the NFL is the nost popular sport because it clerly is. BUT...you do have to consider tens of thousand of more Americans attended a baseball game this year than did an NFL game.

I'm basing that on tv ratings only.

[funksoul]

Because they play 162x30 games as opposed to the NFL's 16x32...

I agree with your math and once again I did not say MLB was more popular...

[funksoul]

Because they play 162x30 games as opposed to the NFL's 16x32...


and i noticed you have declined to produce another more loved/least hated team than the Cubs.

[ProudestAnt]

and i noticed you have declined to produce another more loved/least hated team than the Cubs. I voted for the Cowboys...:evil

[funksoul]

I voted for the Cowboys...:evil

not the poll question per se...just a general question.

basic fact...any team that has a storied history is going to be hated by many. the cubs don't have that. your bills could fit into that category actually but not on the same level.

[SoRight24]

not the poll question per se...just a general question.

basic fact...any team that has a storied history is going to be hated by many. the cubs don't have that. your bills could fit into that category actually but not on the same level.

:lol :lol

The only history the Bills have is choking in the Super Bowl, numerous times.

[ProudestAnt]

:lol :lol

The only history the Bills have is choking in the Super Bowl, numerous times. 4 asshole...;)

[SoRight24]

4 asshole...;)

I wasn't sure if it was 3 or 4, notice the last second switch. :lol ;)

[zdaddy]

I wasn't sure if it was 3 or 4, notice the last second switch. :lol ;)
well i think the one was a complete blowout, but the other were fairly close (if im correct), so technically they only truly "choked" 3 times

[funksoul]

:lol :lol

The only history the Bills have is choking in the Super Bowl, numerous times.

Oh God...I was equating them with losers like the Cubs...not the storied history of winning group.

[smeritt]

4 asshole...;)
I saw a shirt once the simply said BILLLLS. You get it :D

[demar727]

the yankees


sadly

[ProudestAnt]

I saw a shirt once the simply said BILLLLS. You get it :D Die...

[SoRight24]

I saw a shirt once the simply said BILLLLS. You get it :D

:lol :lol :lol

That is great.

It's okay Ryan, the Jets suck too.

[dowling25]

Boston,

[seekupig]

Manchester United

[cryfreedom4136]

Anyone who didn't say Yankees is kidding themselves.... I think Red Wings and Bruins should have been options too

[VanHorneDog]

ill go with Ditka... by far the most popular sports franchise person.

[thom hudson]

no Rockies in this poll? :rolleyes

[GavMan33]

The New York Yankees are the most known franchise in all of sports. But the Red Sox are the most popular (and loved for that matter)

EDIT: But I do agree that the NFL is the most popular sport in America

[bradshaw06]

i think the steelers, look at any away game they have. the crowd is packed with steeler fans.

[Fishbulb290]

no Rockies in this poll? :rolleyes

Who?

[dmbmuskie]

I'd say the Steelers. Steeler Nation isn't just an expression.

[GavMan33]

i think the steelers, look at any away game they have. the crowd is packed with steeler fans.

I'd say the Steelers. Steeler Nation isn't just an expression.

Actually you guys make a great point. I didn't think of it, but you're right. Anywhere they play, they have a lot of fans. Good call :thumbsup

[dmbmuskie]

Actually you guys make a great point. I didn't think of it, but you're right. Anywhere they play, they have a lot of fans. Good call :thumbsup

The other thing is the "Steeler bar". You can find one everyplace I have ever been.

[crashintonickdm]

the leafs got a vote before the celtics? :freak

[BotheDMBFan]

Chicago Cubs.

A lot of people hate all of the teams listed above...it's kinda hard to hate the Cubbies.

[JamesM]

oh yes. the maple leafs

[TheOtherside]

the bulls? they're not even the best loved franchise in the city.

Yankees - man u of the US
Cowboys - the south
Cubs - wgn, ex-chicagoans all over the place
Lakers - i don't know why
Packers - people are stupid

[justinandimcool]

The Cubs are the most loved? I didn't notice. I fucking hate the Cubs and laugh hysterically at every time they lose.

Yankees
Red Sox
Packers
Cowboys
Lakers

[Dads_obsessed]

The Cubs are the most loved? I didn't notice. I fucking hate the Cubs and laugh hysterically at every time they lose.

Yankees
Red Sox
Packers
Cowboys
Lakers

Whats interesting is those teams can also be listed as the most hated.

[Fishbulb290]

Whats interesting is those teams can also be listed as the most hated.

A top 5 most hated list would probably 99 times out 100 contain all 5 of those teams.

[justinandimcool]

Whats interesting is those teams can also be listed as the most hated.


No doubt. We either love them or love to hate them. The fact that they draw so much attention from so many fans has to rank them high on this poll.

[matthews41]

The next one to win a championship.

[bullox005]

i don't see how the yankees are winning. i voted sox. outside of new york, the yankees are pretty much hated. i live in the south, and most people down here hate the yankess, but for whatever reason love the sox. the sox seem to attract fans from everywhere in the country.

[groton]

Yankees most populer but not most loved

Most Loved would be Redsox on that list in my eyes

Celtics ten + years ago would be ahead of the sox
the Bull's nah I would of had the Cubs in the Bull's spot from Chicago

For Football the Cowboys play the same role in the NFL as the Yankee's do
and the Packers play the Redsox Role i'd say

[Tiduwho]

Seemed like just about everyone in the country had a Jordan jersey back in the 90s, but I'd say that the Cubs deserve to up on here more than the Bulls do...

[groton]

Seemed like just about everyone in the country had a Jordan jersey back in the 90s, but I'd say that the Cubs deserve to up on here more than the Bulls do...

Yeah and everyone in the country had a Walter Payton Jersey in the 80's

but overall When someone out side of Chicago thinks of Chicago sports You think of the lovable losers aka the Cubs

[DMBsniper12]

The Yankees for sure.

I don't know why you have the Maple Leafs on this poll over the Red Wings.

[dmbgodagirl41]

1. its "WHAT" franchise. A franchise is a thing, not a person.
2. I said NYY because its the biggest bunch of bandwagon pricks youll ever meet.

[TheOtherside]

the red sow are quickly catching up with the yankee's level of bandwagon douchery. i see more annoying people wearing sox hats these days than yankees hats. face it, sox fans, you're the new yankees.

[dmbgodagirl41]

the red sow are quickly catching up with the yankee's level of bandwagon douchery. i see more annoying people wearing sox hats these days than yankees hats. face it, sox fans, you're the new yankees.

i see you read whats-his-face.

:)

I agree to an extent. But I'm sorry, if you were born and raised in China, why the fuck do you have yankees shit? Kill yourself!

i need a nap.

[GavMan33]

the red sow are quickly catching up with the yankee's level of bandwagon douchery. i see more annoying people wearing sox hats these days than yankees hats. face it, sox fans, you're the new yankees.

I don't quite agree. Almost, but not quite.

The Yankees are the most universally-known franchise in the world. They are also pretty universally hated in this country, outside the tri-state area, and the immediate surroundings. And you can't even say New England, since that is Boston country. I'll say Yankee fans are split in Upstate New York State as a whole with Red Sox fans and Mets fans sprinkled around. Downstate, split between Yankees/Mets. Northern Pennsylvania out to Scranton, maybe a bit farther, is Yankee country. Once you get south of there, it's Phillies country. North Jersey is Yankees/Mets, South Jersey is Phillies. Delaware/Maryland will be Yankees/Orioles fans.

Outside of those boundaries, the Yankees are pretty much universally hated. So they cannot possibly the most "loved" franchise in the country.

The Red Sox fan base has increased exponentially since they won the World Series in 2004. It may be bandwagon fans, but they are still considered the fan base. Their popularity has just sky-rocketed. I would say the two most "loved" franchises in baseball are the Red Sox and Cubs, and the Red Sox by a mile.

[DMB0715]

Is this just including the options given?

[Munford]

well I think the hip hop scene has increased the sales of atlanta hats over the past couple years.. In various colors I might add.

[Lcsulla]

Yanks have the most recognizable symbol in sports. Their popularity waxes and wanes depending on how good they are but no team in the US can claim to be as popular worldwide as they are. Just flip on the news, go to footage of any city in the world and you will probably see someone in a Yankee hat. Other teams may generate a short term buzz but the Yankees are always a popular team. Baseball history pretty much parallels Yankee history, as such the Yankees will be the face of sports for a long time, inside and out of the US.

[groton]

I don't quite agree. Almost, but not quite.

The Yankees are the most universally-known franchise in the world. They are also pretty universally hated in this country, outside the tri-state area, and the immediate surroundings. And you can't even say New England, since that is Boston country. I'll say Yankee fans are split in Upstate New York State as a whole with Red Sox fans and Mets fans sprinkled around. Downstate, split between Yankees/Mets. Northern Pennsylvania out to Scranton, maybe a bit farther, is Yankee country. Once you get south of there, it's Phillies country. North Jersey is Yankees/Mets, South Jersey is Phillies. Delaware/Maryland will be Yankees/Orioles fans.

Outside of those boundaries, the Yankees are pretty much universally hated. So they cannot possibly the most "loved" franchise in the country.

The Red Sox fan base has increased exponentially since they won the World Series in 2004. It may be bandwagon fans, but they are still considered the fan base. Their popularity has just sky-rocketed. I would say the two most "loved" franchises in baseball are the Red Sox and Cubs, and the Red Sox by a mile.


I live in Eastern CT which is more New England then the Rest of The State and its almost Fifty Fifty Redsox/Yankee Fans with a mix of Mets fans also
In RI there is plenty of Yankee Fans also.

so Not all of New England is 100% Redsox Nation Sadly

[Lcsulla]

Yeah, CT has a strange dynamic with baseball fans. You will find fans of different teams mixed all over but theres a noticeable pattern. You could almost draw a line in Hartford and assume that people if you go south or west you'll come into Yankee territory, if you go north or east you'll find more Sox fans. I am in SW CT and it is probably 75/25 Yankees if you ignore the college since people are transplanted. Makes sense too, the Stadium is about 5 minutes from here but Fnway is about 2 and a half hours away. The 22 Met fans in the state are pretty evenly distributed - and they're hidden now, they all put their hats away after Phillie caught them.

[groton]

Jamie There is only 21 Mets Fans Left in CT
Since my Brother now lives in Kentucky
I work with Two of them at EB one lives in Norwich and the other lives in Branford :lol

[UNLTrpt]

/grammerpolice

shouldn't it be WHAT is the most popular sports franchise?

/grammerpolice

[Fishbulb290]

Shouldn't it be grammar?

[Lcsulla]

Jamie There is only 21 Mets Fans Left in CT


My mistake. 21 it is. :lol