NBA 5th Most Popular Sport in America. (NFL #1, MLB #2)

[Budadiiii]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10354114/harris-poll-nfl-most-popular-mlb-2nd

Anyone surprised?

Basketball is not well respected by upper middle class white Americans.

[DukeDelonte13]

I feel like the NBA finals are watched by way more people than the world series.

EDIT this article has nothing to do with tangible results like ratings, it just was taken from a survey.

[Dagouch]

For some reason I didn't put in Nascar into that equation. Kinda suprising.

Is there a way to see how they did during Jordan's era?

[Budadiiii]

I feel like the NBA finals are watched by way more people than the world series.

EDIT this article has nothing to do with tangible results like ratings, it just was taken from a survey.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-selling-more-arenas-nba-225020461--nhl.html

The NBA seriously sucks.

I LOL @ anyone who says basketball is their favorite sport. Too many damn idiots. No fundamentals.

Just a big ****ing circus.

[Kingwillball]

Its my 2nd favorite sport..football being #1 and baseball a distant 3rd well i like boxing and MMA also.

[FreezingTsmoove]

Lack of good scheduling. Guarantee if TNT got rid of horrible eastern conference matchups on their first game and just replaced it with a western conference double header there would be more fans. Who wants to sit down and watch Knicks, Timberwolves, Bulls, and Lakers this season. Just look at the next tv game Knicks vs Cavs.

[fiddy]

Never understood why people watch american football.

[pauk]

Psh... tell me when american "foot" ball aka. american rugby aka. rugby with protection is more popular than NBA/Basketball or even in the vicinity of being just as popular in the rest of the world.

[moe94]

People tune into the watch the shit that matters for the NBA but the other shit does get lost in the wrath of the NFL, which dominates everything, regardless. NBA playoff games do better numbers than everything else, irrc.

NFL is hilariously irrelevant outside the US, though.

[christian1923]

They must have took this survey in some hick town.

[bagelred]

while those with a high school education or less tend to gravitate to auto racing.

:oldlol:

[Chicago Brawls]

Now add international viewership to the sports mentioned and the NBA is number 1.

:banana:

[fiddy]

People tune into the watch the shit that matters for the NBA but the other shit does get lost in the wrath of the NFL, which dominates everything, regardless. NBA playoff games do better numbers than everything else, irrc.

NFL is hilariously irrelevant outside the US, though.
Someone care to explain what so special about american football?

[Marlo_Stanfield]

how can u like football, baseball and ice hockey more than basketball:biggums: :biggums:

[leMVP]

Outside US, NBA is the most popular foreign league, If you got the permiership in football (soccer for US people), you got NBA in basketball.

NFL and Baseball outside US are considered as ping pong and bagmenton.

[livinglegend]

First, the survey asked people what their favourite sport was. That has nothing to do with popularity, it has to do with likeability. Bush was popular and still not liked.

Second, NBA is not a sport, it s a league. Basketball is the sport.

Third, we dont even know how many people voted in this survey.

Fourth, NBA gives the best ratings after NFL in USA, thus NBA is the 2nd most popular league in USA.

[Kingwillball]

Never understood why people watch american football.

Cause its the greatest sport on the planet.. And yes soccer is becoming even more popular because the risk of playing football but its a special game that is unique. Reason other country's dont play football is cause they dont have the athletes for it which is another reason it is unique as imagine Mexico or China playing the USA the defensive backs would be the size if the other country's linemen. The speed difference is another huge factor.

[moe94]

Someone care to explain what so special about american football?

It's actually pretty entertaining if you give it a real shot.

[DukeDelonte13]

Never understood why people watch american football.


it's cultural.

I'm a big NFL fan. I watch a lot of college football too. I think if I had not grown up in America I wouldn't be a fan of it. 11 minutes of actual action on a 3.5 hour block of TV is pretty ridiculous. :oldlol:

Even still I love me some football.

[Kingwillball]

The Super Bowl is like a national
Holiday in tbe USA.. By far the most single watched sporting event.

[Olacinco]

I blame it all on the lebron (and now kd) dikk riding..

Baseball and football there's dozens of stars and any1 can be better on a given night

[PizzamanIRL]

Its my 2nd favorite sport..football being #1 and baseball a distant 3rd well i like boxing and MMA also.

Cool. That should bump NBA up to at least 3rd.

[ArbitraryWater]

Feels like NBA is the most popular...

auto racing LMAO

[BoutPractice]

This poll is highly misleading. "The NBA", "college basketball" and "college football" are not sports. Basketball and football are.

This poll is actually telling us that basketball is the third most popular sports in America. 46% are football fans first (35 + 11), 14% baseball fans first, 9% basketball fans first (6 + 3), 7% autoracing fans, and 5% NHL fans.

Besides, it only concerns people over 18.

[KyrieTheFuture]

Cause its the greatest sport on the planet.. And yes soccer is becoming even more popular because the risk of playing football but its a special game that is unique. Reason other country's dont play football is cause they dont have the athletes for it which is another reason it is unique as imagine Mexico or China playing the USA the defensive backs would be the size if the other country's linemen. The speed difference is another huge factor.

This is so retarded.

Americans are the best at everything right?

[The Iron Fist]

Now add international viewership to the sports mentioned and the NBA is number 1.

:banana:

More people watch soccer and boxing than the nba.

[CeltsGarlic]

Psh... tell me when american "foot" ball aka. american rugby aka. rugby with protection is more popular than NBA/Basketball or even in the vicinity of being just as popular in the rest of the world.

Thats what I thought, but after the summer in America, I could say that football is awesome. Watching it with the right people who explain it made me appreciate it way more.

[FreezingTsmoove]

Cause its the greatest sport on the planet.. And yes soccer is becoming even more popular because the risk of playing football but its a special game that is unique. Reason other country's dont play football is cause they dont have the athletes for it which is another reason it is unique as imagine Mexico or China playing the USA the defensive backs would be the size if the other country's linemen. The speed difference is another huge factor.

Yeah im pretty sure Russia Africa Australia Mexico dont have big grown ass men to play football

[BoutPractice]

http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/popular-sport/analysis.htm
They have basketball at third.

[ImKobe]

Never understood why people watch american football.

Because it's a great sport, and very popular in high schools/colleges. And since there are less NFL games per season (16 for one team), it has more viewers on the regular.

I wasn't a big football fan myself, but I've really gotten into that sport in the past 10 years. The games are close more often that none and every year there are some great 4th quarters and clutch plays, the athletic running backs and WR's are a joy to watch when they break free and sprint towards the endzone, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are great to watch, some of those throws are just unbeliveable.

NBA season just feels too long at times, a lot of bad games between the bottom feeders, teams tanking, etc. Top players in the game are "coasting" to the Playoffs, players sit out even though they are healthy enough to play, last 1-2 minutes of a close game takes about 30 minutes with all the timeouts.

NBA Playoffs are the best, but I appreciate NFL a lot more because there aren't as many games and every game is big. I'm already missing the NFL regular season.

[ralph_i_el]

most of the MLB and NASCAR fans are dying from a combination of old age and heart disease don't worry

[Grinder]

This poll is highly misleading. "The NBA", "college basketball" and "college football" are not sports. Basketball and football are.

This poll is actually telling us that basketball is the third most popular sports in America. 46% are football fans first (35 + 11), 14% baseball fans first, 9% basketball fans first (6 + 3), 7% autoracing fans, and 5% NHL fans.

Besides, it only concerns people over 18.

Spot on. :applause:

I've also noticed that among the current generation of younger kids, football and basketball are by far the two most popular sports. Baseball is losing popularity fast while soccer is gaining a good bit of popularity thanks children of first generation immigrants.

[Le Shaqtus]

How is baseball #2? It's boring as shit

[NLZ]

NBA isn't a sport.. it's a league.

[Crafty]

I can tell you one thing. Basketball's the most popular sport outside the US.

[eliteballer]

There's no way auto racing is more popular than the NBA and I think saying baseball is 2 1/2 times more popular is a stretch too.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Soccer overtake hockey/the NHL in about 20 years either.

[guy]

Doesn't necessarily mean its the 5th most popular league (not sport). I'd assume a huge chunk of that 35% who's favorite is NFL has the NBA as their second.

[Beatlezz]

I can tell you one thing. Basketball's the most popular sport outside the US.

:yaohappy:

http://i.minus.com/ibp70vC7n0GtrX.jpg

[hateraid]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10354114/harris-poll-nfl-most-popular-mlb-2nd

Anyone surprised?

Basketball is not well respected by upper middle class white Americans.

Hockey?

[eliteballer]

:yaohappy:

http://i.minus.com/ibp70vC7n0GtrX.jpg

I think he's talking amongst the American sports...ISHiot.

[jzek]

Agree about the NFL being #1. I've yet to watch a full NBA game (only seen highlights on YouTube) whereas I've seen all the NFL pregame shows, full games, postgame shows, and highlights. It's just so much better all around - the rules, announcers, analysts, presentation, everything.

Surprised about baseball being #2.

[jzek]

how can u like football, baseball and ice hockey more than basketball:biggums: :biggums:

Football is better than basketball to watch on TV and live? There's no comparison. When you're at an Lakers game live for example, it's like a library - it's so quiet and ppl are on their phone. Not really interested in the game nor are they real fans.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks just set the Guinnes World Record for loudest arena. People are shouting, chanting, singing, stadium rumbling like there's an earthquake, it's a different experience.

NBA arena = libraries
NFL arena = rock and roll concert

[Crafty]

I think he's talking amongst the American sports...ISHiot.
I thought it was pretty obvious

[livinglegend]

http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/popular-sport/analysis.htm
They have basketball at third.

This is right.
Worldwide basketball is third most popular, while american football at 8th and baseball at 4.

USA its:
1. Football
2.Basketball
3.Baseball

[eliteballer]

Football is better than basketball to watch on TV and live? There's no comparison. When you're at an Lakers game live for example, it's like a library - it's so quiet and ppl are on their phone. Not really interested in the game nor are they real fans.



That's a flat out lie. The crowd is much livelier in person. I've sat close to the court at Laker games and the crowd is much more rowdy than it appears on tv.

[jzek]

Btw, to all those who haven't seen an NFL game, this February is your chance to see what the NFL hype is all about. You have the #1 offense (perhaps in history of the game) which broke all sorts of records this season featuring the greatest QB ever (4x MVP plus another one this year) against the #1 defense in the league featuring the most-feared secondary unit (all are All-Stars and talk trash and hit hard and showboat). Two best teams all season going at it for one final game of the season.

This year's Super Bowl will convert you into an NFL fan.

[livinglegend]

Btw, to all those who haven't seen an NFL game, this February is your chance to see what the NFL hype is all about. You have the #1 offense (perhaps in history of the game) which broke all sorts of records this season featuring the greatest QB ever (4x MVP plus another one this year) against the #1 defense in the league featuring the most-feared secondary unit (all are All-Stars and talk trash and hit hard). Two best teams all season going at it for one final game of the season.

This year's Super Bowl will convert you into an NFL fan.

watched the semis, very boring.

[tomtucker]

no wonder......games on TV are ruined by old white men talking nonstop about bullshit while the game is being played..........NBA commentators fukking blow

[CelticBaller]

Psh... tell me when american "foot" ball aka. american rugby aka. rugby with protection is more popular than NBA/Basketball or even in the vicinity of being just as popular in the rest of the world.
Because it is

[Milbuck]

I think we can all agree that table tennis is the backbone of American sports. Everything else is just a side dish to the main course.

[Raymone]

:yaohappy:

http://i.minus.com/ibp70vC7n0GtrX.jpg

Table Tennis? Jesus Christ, asians.

[chocolatethunder]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10354114/harris-poll-nfl-most-popular-mlb-2nd

Anyone surprised?

Basketball is not well respected by upper middle class white Americans.
I'm not sure what the implication of your statement is but everyone has different tastes. I doubt many Asians are fans of nascar. It doesn't make anyone evil. People are allowed to like different things. When someone doesn't like the same things that you do it doesn't make them bad.

[KyrieTheFuture]

Table Tennis? Jesus Christ, asians.


:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

China is not the entirety of the Asian continent.

[Raymone]

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

China is not the entirety of the Asian continent.

You must be asian.

[Prometheus]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-selling-more-arenas-nba-225020461--nhl.html

The NBA seriously sucks.

I LOL @ anyone who says basketball is their favorite sport. Too many damn idiots. No fundamentals.

Just a big ****ing circus.

and yet you still like it enough to submit over 5 thousand posts in a year and a half on a website that is solely dedicated to talking about basketball? dude must have a lot of down time...

[JimmyMcAdocious]

What is gaelic football and baseball?

[freshperry]

Every sport has its cons. American football has way too many commercials and its not as fun unless you're there live with beer! Same thing with basketball with the excessive timeouts/foul calls. Nevertheless, both sports are amazingly entertaining and dramatic. European football is great but they take diving to another level... I mean that shits so contagious it spread to the NBA.

[DonDadda59]

Anyone trying to argue that basketball is more popular than football in the U.S. is living in some weird isolation bubble. Football is far and away the most popular, most watched, most followed, most talked about sport in this country. The Superbowl is an unofficial American Holiday.

It's interesting how football overtook baseball as the national past time. Like the article stated, in 1985 the two sports were neck and neck, now the NFL completely blows the MLB out of the water. I don't see that happening with soccer in Brazil or cricket in India. I wonder what caused that seismic shift.

[SexSymbol]

NBA is the most popular league in the world and it's not even close.
Basketball is the second most popular sport in the world and that's what matters. It's slowly gaining on soccer too... one day, one day.

[outbreak]

NBA is the most popular league in the world and it's not even close.
Basketball is the second most popular sport in the world and that's what matters. It's slowly gaining on soccer too... one day, one day.

:biggums:

based on some nobody's statements on the internet?

I believe we've had 2 or 3 threads last year with actual numbers backing up the fact basketball was like 6 or 7 (from memory) in popularity around the world. Field Hockey, soccer and cricket were way higher from memory. People here are underrating baseball too, I'm not really a fan myself but I know a bunch of other countries follow MLB these days and the merch is for sale in more stores than NBA gear is (which always has the token 3-4 jerseys being kobe, lebron, durant). Around the world basketball is one of those sports were people "support" it but that's limited to buying a throwback hat and a flavour of the month jersey but not actually watching the game or following it. The amount of people I've met who I start a basketball conversation with because their wearing bball clothes who can't even name more than 4-5 players still in the league is amazing. I love the sport but let's not act like the actual NBA is followed closely around the world. Most people play basketball as a pass time but don't actually watch it.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Soccer = gay

[SexSymbol]

:biggums:

based on some nobody's statements on the internet?

I believe we've had 2 or 3 threads last year with actual numbers backing up the fact basketball was like 6 or 7 (from memory) in popularity around the world. Field Hockey, soccer and cricket were way higher from memory. People here are underrating baseball too, I'm not really a fan myself but I know a bunch of other countries follow MLB these days and the merch is for sale in more stores than NBA gear is (which always has the token 3-4 jerseys being kobe, lebron, durant). Around the world basketball is one of those sports were people "support" it but that's limited to buying a throwback hat and a flavour of the month jersey but not actually watching the game or following it. The amount of people I've met who I start a basketball conversation with because their wearing bball clothes who can't even name more than 4-5 players still in the league is amazing. I love the sport but let's not act like the actual NBA is followed closely around the world. Most people play basketball as a pass time but don't actually watch it.

Basketball is definitely top 3 along with tennis and soccer. It's common sense, not some damn numbers.
Anybody arguing, that it's 6th or 7th don't know what theire talking about the slightest.

[SexSymbol]

Soccer = gay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xLn-X8YJRg

truth be told

[outbreak]

Basketball is definitely top 3 along with tennis and soccer. It's common sense, not some damn numbers.
Anybody arguing, that it's 6th or 7th don't know what theire talking about the slightest.

not really, considering this is all your opinion. Time and time again we've seen stats, viewer ratings, surveys that prove this wrong so you really don't have anything to base your argument on. I don't remember were it fell exactly but I'm pretty confident it wasn't higher than 6 or 7. If you don't believe me google it, you'll be hard pressed to find a site that doesn't have things like cricket, soccer, hockey, table tennis etc above basketball for WORLD popularity.

[russwest0]

NBA = WWE. It's played out.

[SexSymbol]

not really, considering this is all your opinion. Time and time again we've seen stats, viewer ratings, surveys that prove this wrong so you really don't have anything to base your argument on. I don't remember were it fell exactly but I'm pretty confident it wasn't higher than 6 or 7. If you don't believe me google it, you'll be hard pressed to find a site that doesn't have things like cricket, soccer, hockey, table tennis etc above basketball for WORLD popularity.
Those stats are not of ratings, number of watchers or anything. It is of countries that those sports are implicated in. There's like 250 countries, cricket is played let's say in 190 of them and basketball in 180. Now the number of watchers/players for basketball is 300-500x more than Cricket, but due it spreading in many small countries it is considered more popular. At least that's how I see it, because I've been to most of the biggest countries besides USA and Brazil (basketball is top3 in both) and you can see basketball courts being full even in Britain, where basketball really isn't something big, only local city leagues, nothing really major.

[JUDGE WITNESS]

lol baseball

[mr.big35]

How is baseball 2nd most popular american sports. Their ratings for world series has been down always.

[outbreak]

Those stats are not of ratings, number of watchers or anything. It is of countries that those sports are implicated in. There's like 250 countries, cricket is played let's say in 190 of them and basketball in 180. Now the number of watchers/players for basketball is 300-500x more than Cricket, but due it spreading in many small countries it is considered more popular. At least that's how I see it, because I've been to most of the biggest countries besides USA and Brazil (basketball is top3 in both) and you can see basketball courts being full even in Britain, where basketball really isn't something big, only local city leagues, nothing really major.

again your completely wrong, basketball is talking millions of viewers whereas soccer, cricket and the like are talking billions. I know it's hard to comprehend if your not from countries that follow these sports but you can search yourself and you'll find these sports are far more popular world wide than the NBA is. I'm not talking about playing the sport as a past time (although again I'm sure cricket and soccer at least get played more worldwide) but in terms of the NBA's popularity it isn't up there.

[AnaheimLakers24]

americans are do it yourself types of people. when you have the face of the league teaming up cause he knows hes a loser they lose interest. people want kobes and durants

[Foster5k]

The NBA will continue to rise in popularity. The product is forever evolving and changing. Newer generations will gravitate towards the NBA. Bright skies are ahead for the league.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

First, the survey asked people what their favourite sport was. That has nothing to do with popularity, it has to do with likeability. Bush was popular and still not liked.

Second, NBA is not a sport, it s a league. Basketball is the sport.

Third, we dont even know how many people voted in this survey.

Fourth, NBA gives the best ratings after NFL in USA, thus NBA is the 2nd most popular league in USA.
Pretty much

[knicksman]

this is what happens when you let a beta become the face of the league

[Euroleague]

As usual, NBA only fans are delusional.

[oarabbus]

Basketball is definitely top 3 along with tennis and soccer. It's common sense, not some damn numbers.
Anybody arguing, that it's 6th or 7th don't know what theire talking about the slightest.


:biggums: are you FVCKING retarded? Basketball may very well be top 3, I don't know, but are you really that retarded.

[King Jane]

As usual, NBA only fans are delusional.
**** u ****** quit frontin u jusmad as hell cuz Europe still in the stone ages of hoopin :oldlol: I ball wit kids at my local stomping grounds that would shit on white European league players

http://www.thecoli.com/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/camby.png

[NumberSix]

This is not which sports are the most popular. It's how many people claim their favorite sport.

NBA ratings are higher than MLB or NHL ratings. That's a fact.

[Ken_Masters]

I'm a Bears fan, but i'm starting to lose interest in the NFL. Their officiating is no better than the NBAs, the pro bowl is not even worth watching, the players are extremely unlikeable, and their commissioner is one of the worst in all of sports. I think it's only the most popular because of the 16 game schedule.

[Jameerthefear]

i can't name 5 people i know that watch baseball. no joke.

[outbreak]

:biggums: are you FVCKING retarded? Basketball may very well be top 3, I don't know, but are you really that retarded.

some people just have issues comprehending how many billions of people live in other areas of the world that follow things their home countries have no interest in.

[oarabbus]

**** u ****** quit frontin u jusmad as hell cuz Europe still in the stone ages of hoopin :oldlol: I ball wit kids at my local stomping grounds that would shit on white European league players

http://www.thecoli.com/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/camby.png

Euroguy hates the NBA for some reason but... Like Dirk? How about Alexey Shved? :lol

[outbreak]

i can't name 5 people i know that watch baseball. no joke.

I can and I live in Australia and don't like it myself. I can name more people i know here who follow NFL and MLB than follow NBA. I can name a shitload more people who actually play basketball but most don't follow any league.

[NewYorkNoPicks]

People like the nfl so much because they like to fantasize about the war-like aspect of it. Guys think its a manly game reminiscent of warriors in ancient times going to battle, it provides them with that primal thrill.

But i think a lot of guys who watch it are trying too hard, it seems forced to me like a lot of guys are trying too hard to fit this supposed "manly" image of being one of those beer drinking "football guys".

Me personally i dont really watch football, i never let the masses dictate what i enjoy. Basketball is fast and filled with improvisation, when you watch a guy like Kobe for example the moves are aesthetically pleasing, etc

[Ken_Masters]

Someone care to explain what so special about american football?

Nothing much. I grew up watching it but i am realizing how overrated the sport truly is. The NBA is number 1 for me personally.

[KineticZhiv]

Cause its the greatest sport on the planet.. And yes soccer is becoming even more popular because the risk of playing football but its a special game that is unique. Reason other country's dont play football is cause they dont have the athletes for it which is another reason it is unique as imagine Mexico or China playing the USA the defensive backs would be the size if the other country's linemen. The speed difference is another huge factor.

11 minutes of action for each 3,5 hours.
Reason other country's dont play football is the boredom

[outbreak]

People like the nfl so much because they like to fantasize about the war-like aspect of it. Guys think its a manly game reminiscent of warriors in ancient times going to battle, it provides them with that primal thrill.

But i think a lot of guys who watch it are trying too hard, it seems forced to me like a lot of guys are trying too hard to fit this supposed "manly" image of being one of those beer drinking "football guys".

Me personally i dont really watch football, i never let the masses dictate what i enjoy. Basketball is fast and filled with improvisation, when you watch a guy like Kobe for example the moves are aesthetically pleasing, etc

I had a debate on this at christmas with some family members who were talking about NFL, while they didn't seem to be able to explain why they enjoy watching the NFL their main knock on the NBA was that it's just teams going up and down the court and it's the same thing over and over with one team shooting then another shooting. We know that's wrong but I've heard that perception a few times

[Pushxx]

I'm not gonna read this whole thread, but that poll only reflects that not many people have the NBA as their favorite sport. That doesn't mean the NBA isn't the #3 sport in America.

[hahaitme]

I can understand why people like NFL. Football (not soccer) is big in every country - they all have some variant.

Baseball though? C'mon, that game is boring as shit.

[HeatFanSince88]

I'm surprised at how the NBA manages to make so much money considering...

1) Theres only like 4 teams in the league actually worth watching
2) Half the arenas in the league are pretty much empty
3) Most NBA fans are young kids without a lot of disposable income.

Must be the tv deals? since most of these ****ers dont actually go to the games in person.

[Xover]

Table Tennis? Jesus Christ, asians.

Auto Racing fan here

[HeatFanSince88]

People like the nfl so much because they like to fantasize about the war-like aspect of it. Guys think its a manly game reminiscent of warriors in ancient times going to battle, it provides them with that primal thrill.

But i think a lot of guys who watch it are trying too hard, it seems forced to me like a lot of guys are trying too hard to fit this supposed "manly" image of being one of those beer drinking "football guys".

Me personally i dont really watch football, i never let the masses dictate what i enjoy. Basketball is fast and filled with improvisation, when you watch a guy like Kobe for example the moves are aesthetically pleasing, etc

The NFL is the most popular because the games are once a week. Sunday during NFL season is pretty much an event. Every game is huge in the NFL.

Where as the regular season for NBA and MLB, you get the feeling that no individual game really matters that ****ing much so why bother tuning in until the playoffs?

[[GR]]

I feel like the NBA finals are watched by way more people than the world series.

You're wrong.

[BigMacAttack]

Those stats are not of ratings, number of watchers or anything. It is of countries that those sports are implicated in. There's like 250 countries, cricket is played let's say in 190 of them and basketball in 180. Now the number of watchers/players for basketball is 300-500x more than Cricket, but due it spreading in many small countries it is considered more popular. At least that's how I see it, because I've been to most of the biggest countries besides USA and Brazil (basketball is top3 in both) and you can see basketball courts being full even in Britain, where basketball really isn't something big, only local city leagues, nothing really major.

Dude Indians worship cricket like a religon and there are a billion of them. Add in the rest of the subcontinent etc do you see the picture?

[RedBlackAttack]

The NFL is the most popular because the games are once a week. Sunday during NFL season is pretty much an event. Every game is huge in the NFL.

Where as the regular season for NBA and MLB, you get the feeling that no individual game really matters that ****ing much so why bother tuning in until the playoffs?
It's not just the NFL. This country loves football. Fridays are for high school, Saturdays for college, Sundays for the NFL.

People in this country just love (American) football. It wouldn't be any different if they mixed them up and played on different days of the week. The difference between football and all other sports in America is the difference between entertainment and religion.

I've seen 60,000+ people turn out for high school games in Ohio. The highest attendance number in this state for a high school game is 90,000+. HIGH SCHOOL.

[outbreak]

Dude Indians worship cricket like a religon and there are a billion of them. Add in the rest of the subcontinent etc do you see the picture?

cricket is on insane levels in india, I remember seeing a little segment on tendulkar once and how he can't even leave his house without a disguise because riots break out if there's a rumour of him being in public, people have been crushed in the stampede when he makes appearances, people name their kids after players. There's also some silly worship cult or something that puts him in some hindus beliefs as a reincarnated god or some shit I remember hearing awhile back.

[diamenz]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-selling-more-arenas-nba-225020461--nhl.html

The NBA seriously sucks.

I LOL @ anyone who says basketball is their favorite sport. Too many damn idiots. No fundamentals.

Just a big ****ing circus.

amen. i only watch the playoffs, and even then i think to myself - "man there's no substance to this shyt". nothing but a bunch of pick n rolls and three pointers.

[BigMacAttack]

cricket is on insane levels in india, I remember seeing a little segment on tendulkar once and how he can't even leave his house without a disguise because riots break out if there's a rumour of him being in public, people have been crushed in the stampede when he makes appearances, people name their kids after players. There's also some silly worship cult or something that puts him in some hindus beliefs as a reincarnated god or some shit I remember hearing awhile back.

Yeah its crazy, its literally dangerous for Tendulkar to go out in public in India.

[BigMacAttack]

As an Aussie I could really get into the NFL if it wasnt such a slow, stop start game, this totally makes it unwatchable. Ive watched games and I like the sport but the not the product, at all.

[Meticode]

It doesnt' surprise me. Living in Wisconsin I see it more than when I lived in Ohio. And the biggest problem with it among the people I talk to is how different it is compared to college. The same people that don't like the NBA, still love the NCAA.

Usually when I talk to people it's two reasons. College is more team-orientated. You see tons of players in the NBA playing 1v5, not passing the ball and show-boating all the time when they don't need to. And the sad part is the team will let it happen. The other players will just stand there and let it happen. Seen it many times at the need of Cavs games this season with Irving.

And the officiating. Nothing else to say about that.

And I frankly agree. I thoroughly enjoying watching college basketball versus the NBA. It's nice to see teams try to pass the ball for the best shot they can get and players not trying to play hero-ball all the damn time. I don't even get me started on the officiating and superstar calls. Because we all know it's part of the game unfortunately.

[MavsSuperFan]

Psh... tell me when american "foot" ball aka. american rugby aka. rugby with protection is more popular than NBA/Basketball or even in the vicinity of being just as popular in the rest of the world.
Tell me when the rest of the world matters. USA USA USA
calm you tits this was mostly in jest

[MavsSuperFan]

Now add international viewership to the sports mentioned and the NBA is number 1.

:banana:
Pretty sure it would be soccer, than badminton, than cricket, etc.

[Meticode]

As an Aussie I could really get into the NFL if it wasnt such a slow, stop start game, this totally makes it unwatchable. Ive watched games and I like the sport but the not the product, at all.
I agree, that's the one thing I don't like about the NFL. I love it when teams play no-huddle offenses though.

[BigMacAttack]

As for the NBA...i love it, its the only basketball league I really follow(a bit of college and Aus NBL also) but I agree with whoever said it is becoming the WWE.

Shit is sad when basic rules are often ignored by both players and refs and guys are changing their games to take advantage of officiating.

[JellyBean]

Not surprised.

[KyrieTheFuture]

It doesnt' surprise me. Living in Wisconsin I see it more than when I lived in Ohio. And the biggest problem with it among the people I talk to is how different it is compared to college. The same people that don't like the NBA, still love the NCAA.

Usually when I talk to people it's two reasons. College is more team-orientated. You see tons of players in the NBA playing 1v5, not passing the ball and show-boating all the time when they don't need to. And the sad part is the team will let it happen. The other players will just stand there and let it happen. Seen it many times at the need of Cavs games this season with Irving.

And the officiating. Nothing else to say about that.

And I frankly agree. I thoroughly enjoying watching college basketball versus the NBA. It's nice to see teams try to pass the ball for the best shot they can get and players not trying to play hero-ball all the damn time. I don't even get me started on the officiating and superstar calls. Because we all know it's part of the game unfortunately.

If they're getting the best shot, why do teams still shoot under 40% all the time? People mistake passing the ball around the arc for 30 seconds to be good team play and "finding the best shot". Half the time the best shot is one player creating, that's why they're stars. College games are very boring IMO. It's a whole lot of bricks and TOs, and the officiating is just as bad.

[Patrick Chewing]

Basketball would be more popular in the States if there was more parity. These teams winning it all for three years straight hurts fan interest.

[RedBlackAttack]

As an Aussie I could really get into the NFL if it wasnt such a slow, stop start game, this totally makes it unwatchable. Ive watched games and I like the sport but the not the product, at all.
You don't have to like it, but I wish more people outside the US would at least attempt to understand why/how the game works. It isn't rugby or futbol, which has basically nonstop play, but that is what makes it a completely different sport.

The speed of the game is actually incredible and that's precisely because of the time taken between snaps. You couldn't maintain the level of speed and intensity of American football if there was more constant motion. Because guys are playing at absolute maximum speed and intensity on every play, it makes the time when the play is actually going on that much faster and more brutal.

And, understanding the strategy is hugely important to appreciating the huddles and time taken between plays. It really is a chess game with all 11 guys on each side of the ball having a very specific task on every single play. Being just a shade out of position can literally lose you the game, that's how precise these guys are.

The problem is that people outside the US compare it to games like rugby and futbol, but it is totally and completely different in just about every possible way.

The difference between American football and rugby is like the difference between the 100 and 200 meter sprint and a marathon. Yeah, the marathon is much longer sustained action, while the sprints only last a few seconds... but those few seconds are amazing.

Guys can't run like they do in a sprint for longer races. The same applies to American football. You don't have to like it, but that should be an understandable analogy.

[Meticode]

If they're getting the best shot, why do teams still shoot under 40% all the time? People mistake passing the ball around the arc for 30 seconds to be good team play and "finding the best shot". Half the time the best shot is one player creating, that's why they're stars. College games are very boring IMO. It's a whole lot of bricks and TOs, and the officiating is just as bad.
Teams in college play more defense than the NBA does, plus the NBA is built on entertainment value of scoring the ball, so obviously the NBA is a more talented league where they cater to players who score the ball. In college you're fighting to get onto a team where players might be more talented than you, so you have to put more effort in places where you can balance that out. Which in term is effort on defense. They challenge shots more often, keep their hands up, contest and try to fight through screens. There's players in the NBA I see often that just don't fight through screens, a player will take a shot and the defensive player doesn't even put his damn hand up to contest and just looks at him shooting the ball (I do't know how many damn times I've seen Irving do this this season).

I love watching college. Go Cincy Bearcats!

[Meticode]

You don't have to like it, but I wish more people outside the US would at least attempt to understand why/how the game works. It isn't rugby or futbol, which has basically nonstop play, but that is what makes it a completely different sport.

The speed of the game is actually incredible and that's precisely because of the time taken between snaps. You couldn't maintain the level of speed and intensity of American football if there was more constant motion. Because guys are playing at absolute maximum speed and intensity on every play, it makes the time when the play is actually going on that much faster and more brutal.

And, understanding the strategy is hugely important to appreciating the huddles and time taken between plays. It really is a chess game with all 11 guys on each side of the ball having a very specific task on every single play. Being just a shade out of position can literally lose you the game, that's how precise these guys are.

The problem is that people outside the US compare it to games like rugby and futbol, but it is totally and completely different in just about every possible way.

The difference between American football and rugby is like the difference between the 100 and 200 meter sprint and a marathon. Yeah, the marathon is much longer sustained action, while the sprints only last a few seconds... but those few seconds are amazing.

Guys can't run like they do in a sprint for longer races. The same applies to American football. You don't have to like it, but that should be an understandable analogy.
Great analogy. :applause:

[BigMacAttack]

You don't have to like it, but I wish more people outside the US would at least attempt to understand why/how the game works. It isn't rugby or futbol, which has basically nonstop play, but that is what makes it a completely different sport.

The speed of the game is actually incredible and that's precisely because of the time taken between snaps. You couldn't maintain the level of speed and intensity of American football if there was more constant motion. Because guys are playing at absolute maximum speed and intensity on every play, it makes the time when the play is actually going on that much faster and more brutal.

And, understanding the strategy is hugely important to appreciating the huddles and time taken between plays. It really is a chess game with all 11 guys on each side of the ball having a very specific task on every single play. Being just a shade out of position can literally lose you the game, that's how precise these guys are.

The problem is that people outside the US compare it to games like rugby and futbol, but it is totally and completely different in just about every possible way.

The difference between American football and rugby is like the difference between the 100 and 200 meter sprint and a marathon. Yeah, the marathon is much longer sustained action, while the sprints only last a few seconds... but those few seconds are amazing.

Guys can't run like they do in a sprint for longer races. The same applies to American football. You don't have to like it, but that should be an understandable analogy.

Ok analogy but the difference between the sprint and nfl games are you can watch a 100m sprint race in 11 seconds, to watch 11 seconds of NFL you gotta be there for hours. There is no getting around that it moves at a snails pace.

I enjoy the strategic battles between teams and coaches but I would rather watch guys tear each other apart playing rugby league for 80 minutes then hours of stoppages and adds to see not much action albeit at a high intensity.

[red1]

nfl and college football is the same sport and we all know auto racing isnt a real sport so that means it ranks 3rd

[truhooper]

:facepalm at a poll consisting of 2,000 people having people think one sport>another sport

the nfl is clearly #1 in the US & the NBA #2 among the big 4

[RedBlackAttack]

Ok analogy but the difference between the sprint and nfl games are you can watch a 100m sprint race in 11 seconds, to watch 11 seconds of NFL you gotta be there for hours. There is no getting around that it moves at a snails pace.
But, it needs to be looked at as a series of sprints and it is fundamentally the same concept. You simply are not going to have the same kind of collisions and speed when you're running around for 90 minutes nonstop.

Again, I'm not saying you have to like it, but understanding the game and how it works, those stoppages are absolutely key.


I enjoy the strategic battles between teams and coaches but I would rather watch guys tear each other apart playing rugby league for 80 minutes then hours of stoppages and adds to see not much action albeit at a high intensity.

Which is fine... so you prefer futbol or rugby. I'm just trying to convey the differences in the game and why the stoppages are such an integral part of the game. For football fans, the huddles between plays are the times when you -- as a fan -- look at the situation (down/distance/personnel/etc) and see what the offensive/defensive coaches come up with to counter one another.

When you get into the real guts of American football, watching games is as much or more about strategy than seeing guys hit one another going 100 miles per hour. The strategy is probably my favorite part of the game and a faster pace would not allow for the same kind of focus on the intricacies of the game.

That's my take. I feel like it's a really great game that a lot of sports people outside of the US simply dismiss because they have a problem with it being called "football" or they are annoyed by Americans in general.

This country has plenty of flaws, but we have a pretty good history of coming up with cool sports. I wish people gave American football more of a chance. I'm not talking about you specifically, btw... just the general vibe that I get talking to people outside the US about American football.

[TonyMontana]

the nfl is clearly #1 in the US & the NBA #2 among the big 4

thats only among high school and college kids. in a lot of cities the NBA is dead last among people that actually have money. That's why the attendance sucks. of course this shit doesn't apply if your city is one of the 5 or so teams who actually has a chance at the title. NBA is a frontrunning sport, waste of time watching the 25 irrelevant teams.

I bet if I made a thread on this forum "Have you attended an NBA game this year?" that 90%+ of members on this site would say no. And that's asking people that like the NBA enough to sign up and talk about it on a forum.

[BigMacAttack]

But, it needs to be looked at as a series of sprints and it is fundamentally the same concept. You simply are not going to have the same kind of collisions and speed when you're running around for 90 minutes nonstop.

Again, I'm not saying you have to like it, but understanding the game and how it works, those stoppages are absolutely key.


Which is fine... so you prefer futbol or rugby. I'm just trying to convey the differences in the game and why the stoppages are such an integral part of the game. For football fans, the huddles between plays are the times when you -- as a fan -- look at the situation (down/distance/personnel/etc) and see what the offensive/defensive coaches come up with to counter one another.

When you get into the real guts of American football, watching games is as much or more about strategy than seeing guys hit one another going 100 miles per hour. The strategy is probably my favorite part of the game and a faster pace would not allow for the same kind of focus on the intricacies of the game.

That's my take. I feel like it's a really great game that a lot of sports people outside of the US simply dismiss because they have a problem with it being called "football" or they are annoyed by Americans in general.

This country has plenty of flaws, but we have a pretty good history of coming up with cool sports. I wish people gave American football more of a chance. I'm not talking about you specifically, btw... just the general vibe that I get talking to people outside the US about American football.

Im not having a go at American football FTR, I just cannot enjoy watching it(on tv, at the game would be another story). My preferences just lie elsewhere with sports.


I think when you are raised watching a sport it certainly holds more appeal for you. Thats why we see sports like american football, Rugby(League and Union), baseball, cricket etc have a big pro league with major popularity in a small number of countries.

[knicksman]

nba couldve been on the same level as nfl if not for stern. too bad stern is a beta who caters to fans wishes instead of following his own instincts.

[Budadiiii]

thats only among high school and college kids. in a lot of cities the NBA is dead last among people that actually have money. That's why the attendance sucks. of course this shit doesn't apply if your city is one of the 5 or so teams who actually has a chance at the title. NBA is a frontrunning sport, waste of time watching the 25 irrelevant teams.

I bet if I made a thread on this forum "Have you attended an NBA game this year?" that 90%+ of members on this site would say no. And that's asking people that like the NBA enough to sign up and talk about it on a forum.
Bingo.

I'm starting to feel an obligation not to like the NBA.

I'm gravitating towards crossfit action, triathlon events, tennis, water polo, lacrosse, horse racing, baseball, rugby, football, soccer, cycling, jacking off in your mothers' apartment complex, and boat racing.

The clownary in professional and collegiate basketball just doesn't excite me like it used to.

Grown men actually watch this shit? :facepalm

[truhooper]

thats only among high school and college kids. in a lot of cities the NBA is dead last among people that actually have money. That's why the attendance sucks. of course this shit doesn't apply if your city is one of the 5 or so teams who actually has a chance at the title. NBA is a frontrunning sport, waste of time watching the 25 irrelevant teams.

I bet if I made a thread on this forum "Have you attended an NBA game this year?" that 90%+ of members on this site would say no. And that's asking people that like the NBA enough to sign up and talk about it on a forum.

I'm talking about tv ratings


the nfl is clearly #1 in the US & the NBA #2 among the big 4

[fragokota]

Football is better than basketball to watch on TV and live? There's no comparison. When you're at an Lakers game live for example, it's like a library - it's so quiet and ppl are on their phone. Not really interested in the game nor are they real fans.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks just set the Guinnes World Record for loudest arena. People are shouting, chanting, singing, stadium rumbling like there's an earthquake, it's a different experience.

NBA arena = libraries
NFL arena = rock and roll concert

LOL, i higly doubt that....no comparison whatsoever against some loud football arenas in Latin America and Europe

[Awkrewen]

For those that are interested in the Harris Poll, the nba has actually been declining.

in 1994 had 11% for the most popular sport. http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris-Interactive-Poll-Research-PRO-FOOTBALL-MAINTAINS-ITS-POSITION-AS-NATIONS-MOS-1994-06.pdf

Went up to 13% in 1998
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris-Interactive-Poll-Research-1998-HARRIS-SPORTS-POLL-1998-10.pdf

back down to 11% in 2002
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris-Interactive-Poll-Research-Professional-Football-Widens-Its-Lead-Over-Basebal-2002-10.pdf

Then a steady decline since. Between 1993 and 2003 Basketball looked to be overtaking baseball as the second favorite sport among americans. Basketball kept gaining and Baseball was losing followers. But since 2003 there has been a steady decline. Auto Racing and College Football grew in popularity and Baseball leveled off.

Here is the chart for all the results from 1985 to 2011.
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris%20Poll%209%20-%20Favorite%20sport_1.25.12.pdf

[Kungfro]

NFL is hilariously irrelevant outside the US, though.

*and Canada

[BigMacAttack]

LOL, i higly doubt that....no comparison whatsoever against some loud football arenas in Latin America and Europe

I dont know about no comparison, America has many of the worlds biggest stadiums, fill them up and they would be loud.

You would have to think that 80-90k plus at Wembley or the camp nou would be pretty ****ing loud though, I think that record seattle game for noise only had 68-70k.

[RedBlackAttack]

For those that are interested in the Harris Poll, the nba has actually been declining.

in 1994 had 11% for the most popular sport. http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris-Interactive-Poll-Research-PRO-FOOTBALL-MAINTAINS-ITS-POSITION-AS-NATIONS-MOS-1994-06.pdf

Went up to 13% in 1998
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris-Interactive-Poll-Research-1998-HARRIS-SPORTS-POLL-1998-10.pdf

back down to 11% in 2002
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris-Interactive-Poll-Research-Professional-Football-Widens-Its-Lead-Over-Basebal-2002-10.pdf

Then a steady decline since. Between 1993 and 2003 Basketball looked to be overtaking baseball as the second favorite sport among americans. Basketball kept gaining and Baseball was losing followers. But since 2003 there has been a steady decline. Auto Racing and College Football grew in popularity and Baseball leveled off.

Here is the chart for all the results from 1985 to 2011.
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris%20Poll%209%20-%20Favorite%20sport_1.25.12.pdf
It's no coincidence that the numbers fluctuated based on where Michael Jordan was in his career. In 1993, ratings were at an all-time high. They fell off in 1994-95 with his first retirement... went back up in the 1996-98 range before falling. Then, his second comeback brought general sports fans back, but when it was a clear he was a shell of his former self, interest was lost. It has been in decline since.

Never has interest in a sport been so completely tied to one guy.

[fragokota]

I dont know about no comparison, America has many of the worlds biggest stadiums, fill them up and they would be loud.

You would have to think that 80-90k plus at Wembley or the camp nou would be pretty ****ing loud though, I think that record seattle game for noise only had 68-70k.

These mentioned are not really that loud.They may be the biggest but not so crazy fans.I am talking more passionate arenas like from south america(boca,river etc) and mainly south european and Balkans(turkey, greece,serbia,italy)arenas

[BigMacAttack]

It's no coincidence that the numbers fluctuated based on where Michael Jordan was in his career. In 1993, ratings were at an all-time high. They fell off in 1994-95 with his first retirement... went back up in the 1996-98 range before falling. Then, his second comeback brought general sports fans back, but when it was a clear he was a shell of his former self, interest was lost. It has been in decline since.

Never has interest in a sport been so completely tied to one guy.

Its crazy really, the only comparable situation I can come up with is Tiger Woods.

[RedBlackAttack]

LOL, i higly doubt that....no comparison whatsoever against some loud football arenas in Latin America and Europe
What do you "highly doubt?" They did, in fact, break the sound record and even set off a freaking seismometer with the crowd noise.

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2406710/Seahawks-fans-break-noise-record-again-set-off-seismometer-with-quakelike-shakes

There's nothing to doubt. NFL stadiums are insanely loud. Unless you've been to one, you don't understand. Deafening.

[outbreak]

redblackattack - I'm not a fan of NFL myself but I know exactly what you are saying about people not understanding or learning the sport before dismissing it. It happens with every sport, I'm a big cricket fan and I've had plenty of friends who've said they hate the game and it's so boring only to find they enjoy it once they learn the rules and the strategies being played out that aren't obvious to see until you learn the game, myself I always found tennis boring but my girlfriend got me into the australian open this year and I've actually enjoyed afew game after learning the rules a bit better and learning to spot players weaknesses and when their being exploited. Most sports have things like this going on that you don't realise until you know the sport, same goes for basketball - a regular person may say oh their just running up and down the court taking it in turns shooting whereas we would see the screens, traps, clearing sides etc that is actually going on.

[MavsPoke]

I love football and basketball.

I don't rank which is better. I just know I love them.

I love my college teams and my pro teams. I love them all equally.

I can watch baseball and probably would love hockey if I got into it. Racing seems extremely dull. I like to watch the Olympics. I do enjoy a good Tennis match. Golf is alright. Curling is not a sport but I will enjoy the hell out of it in Sochi.

To sum up:

Baskeball = Football >>>> Tennis > everything else >>>> nascar

[RedBlackAttack]

redblackattack - I'm not a fan of NFL myself but I know exactly what you are saying about people not understanding or learning the sport before dismissing it. It happens with every sport, I'm a big cricket fan and I've had plenty of friends who've said they hate the game and it's so boring only to find they enjoy it once they learn the rules and the strategies being played out that aren't obvious to see until you learn the game, myself I always found tennis boring but my girlfriend got me into the australian open this year and I've actually enjoyed afew game after learning the rules a bit better and learning to spot players weaknesses and when their being exploited. Most sports have things like this going on that you don't realise until you know the sport, same goes for basketball - a regular person may say oh their just running up and down the court taking it in turns shooting whereas we would see the screens, traps, clearing sides etc that is actually going on.
Yep.

To me, it is even more important to understand the strategic aspect of American football because, if you don't, the stoppages in play will just look like guys standing around. And, I think that is what turns a lot of people off.

The fact of the matter is, once you get into the intricacies of the game, you realize that there is as much going on during the stoppages as when the play is going on. The other thing is understanding the rules, which can be very complicated. If you don't really understand what is going on, the flags will look completely arbitrary.

I'm not saying it is for everybody, but like you said... I just wish more people would take the time to try and understand how the game works, because I'm positive there would be a lot more international interest if they did.

[BrownEye007]

Never understood why people watch american football.
Never understood why the rest of the world watches soccer.