Harris Poll Shows NFL Still Rules in America with NCAA Football Gaining on Major League Baseball

HarrisInteractive released a poll showing that the NFL leads the nation in popularity with pro baseball, college football , Auto Racing, men's pro basketball and men's college basketball closing out the top 6.

As you see (below), the NFL more than doubles its closest competitor, with 29% of Americans liking "America's League", 15% better than MLB. 2005 was the most popular year for the NFL with a 33% favorite rating. It's important that they dominate in the U.S. because international presence is currently lacking.

College Football continues to nip at the heels of pro baseball, remaining within a percentage point away at 13%. 13% is college football's best showing yet (tied with last year) and raises a question: Does college football really want a playoff? My feeling is that we will see a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mentality for many years to come. If college football ever does go to a playoff, maybe then we should worry. In the mean time, enjoy the mess.

College basketball is holding steady at 5%. I expect this to rise a little bit in the near future with the new NBA rule in place (players are not allowed to go straight from high school to the NBA). This in turn should help the NBA as players slowly become familiar faces to fans rather than pampered troublemakers. The NBA 'rebounded' nicely this year after a record low 4% in 2005 (Think Kobe scandal, Detroit Brawl).

Men's Golf barely edged Hockey. Hockey will always have a diehard fanbase as will golf. Golf had it's highest popularity rating when Tiger Woods splashed onto the scene in 1997 and has tapered since.

Demographics

Their sports demographics poll is equally, if not more intriguing and explains a lot about what I see around me.

Pro football attracts fans that make between $35,000-$49,999. They also attract Gen Xers (30-41) and African Americans. This explains why bars are filled with fans who want to watch their favorite team but don't want to spend the money needed to watch it at home (also known as money saved to spend on alcohol while watching the game at a bar). Low-income families are their smallest demographic.

Contrast that with college football, where the best demographics lie with incomes ranging from 25,000-34,999 (I'm thinking college grads) and those who make $75,000+ (I'm thinking college grads parents who were also college grads). African American is one of the lowest demographics, possibly offering an explanation to why so many collegiate athletes leave early for the NFL. Well, that and millions of dollars.

East coast liberal like baseball the most. Yankees vs. Redsox. No wonder that's the only teams we hear about.

Auto Racing has a high following for Gen Xers and those with 'high school or less' education. College grads and post grads are among the lowest percentage of followers. The racing demographic is certainly interesting.

It can't be any surprise that the one sport that is not offered in a school system is most popular with those who go to school the least. It's a "bad ass" sport with a bunch of "yee-haw" mixed in. Tell me where to sign.

Overall

More and more sports genres (thing X-Games) are being etched into impressionable American brains on a daily basis. It's like candy or G.I. Joe, we never seem to get enough of it. That is the common thread between all sports fans.