Just wondering: Which sports team is most popular in Chicago? (Golf: transplants, school)

[TheLordYourGod]

Originally Posted by Hendu

Not very popular and mostly ignored by our media, but it's there. I'm in Section 8, the Chicago Fire supporters group. We do our best to create an atmosphere inside the stadium by singing, jumping, waving flags, etc. We also bring groups to follow the club on the road. There are a handful of soccer bars in the city, including the Globe Pub (which has been voted best soccer bar in the States for a couple years in a row by USsoccer.com)

As for the question posed, it's the Bears and it's not really close.

The Globe's a lot of fun, especially during the World Cup.

[Hendu]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

Yea, we have europeans who wake up at 7am on Saturday and head to bars to watch football (soccer) games. I know some hardcore fans, but they berate and belittle the US pro soccer league, I'm not sure why, maybe the quality of play doesn't stand up to the rest of the world? Dunno.

That's usually the bs excuse, but if that's the case then nobody would follow the smaller local teams in Europe. I think the real reason has to do with: a) it's more 'hip' to follow European football, or 2) defensiveness about the upstart USA dominating almost everything else.

I love the Sox, but I don't see the point in belittling the Atlantic Coast League or the Japanese Baseball League.

[mas23]

Originally Posted by YankeesGiantsRangersNYK

I know its probably either the Cubs or Bears but which one is it?

I have people tell me its a baseball town and some people tell me its a football town. Which is which?

PS: Cubs are my NL team. I'm a diehard Yankee fan but if I had to chose an NL team it would probably be those cubbies.

looks like we're polar opposites

I'm a sox fan who also likes the mets
It's got to be the sox they're the last team to win a championship.
DA BEARS are a close second

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by YankeesGiantsRangersNYK

Blackhawks are still that low? Even after their resurgance this year?

How about the Fire? Is football (REAL football) popular in Chicago? Like are their bars with transplanted Europeans who watch football?

I think hockey is still seen as a sport for Michigan and Minnesota hicks by many in Chicago.

[Hendu]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

I think hockey is still seen as a sport for Michigan and Minnesota hicks by many in Chicago.

No way, we're an original six city. There was a time in the early to mid 90s where the Hawks were in the discussion of most popular teams in the city. Then they tore down the old barn on Madison (which destroyed 90% of the atmosphere at Hawks games) and Dollar Bill Wirtz tightened his grip on the franchise. No televised home games, trading star player after star player, etc. After Wirtz died, the Hawks have started to come back, but they have a long way to go. A Stanley Cup run would wake everyone up.

[HockeyFan]

I have to say I've been disappointed by the level of hockey during my time in Chicago. I've heard so much the past year about the resurgence of the Hawks, how the Hawks are relevant again, etc. To an extent, it's true. The UC is jammed every game, and the fans are very knowledgable. Yet every time I watch hockey in a pub, I'm the only one watching. One late 20s guy said in his age group, there are very few hockey fans. It's almost like 20-35 is the lost generation for hockey in Chicago, unless they moved from Detroit, Buffalo, or St. Louis. I see many 40+ suburbanites at games, and lots of kids in Kane jerseys. But the 20-somethings seem to like baseball best, followed relatively distantly by football. Hockey and basketball (NBA anyway) seem to lag way behind in that age group.

Regarding soccer/football.... Toronto or Montreal is the best North American bet, as they're the only markets where the media treats it as a major sport. Great support for the local sides in both cities too! The Fire have some passionate fans, but the MLS seems out of the consciousness of the mainstream Chicago sports fan.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

I have to say I've been disappointed by the level of hockey during my time in Chicago. I've heard so much the past year about the resurgence of the Hawks, how the Hawks are relevant again, etc. To an extent, it's true. The UC is jammed every game, and the fans are very knowledgable. Yet every time I watch hockey in a pub, I'm the only one watching. One late 20s guy said in his age group, there are very few hockey fans. It's almost like 20-35 is the lost generation for hockey in Chicago, unless they moved from Detroit, Buffalo, or St. Louis. I see many 40+ suburbanites at games, and lots of kids in Kane jerseys. But the 20-somethings seem to like baseball best, followed relatively distantly by football. Hockey and basketball (NBA anyway) seem to lag way behind in that age group.

Regarding soccer/football.... Toronto or Montreal is the best North American bet, as they're the only markets where the media treats it as a major sport. Great support for the local sides in both cities too! The Fire have some passionate fans, but the MLS seems out of the consciousness of the mainstream Chicago sports fan.

Detroit and Buffalo, yes. St. Louis? HECK NO! Sure there are fans but overall? St. Louis is not a hockey city whatsoever. And how do you know the people at games are suburbanites? Seems like an odd generalization to me.

Anyways, hockey has been in Chicago for 80+ years and its been through its rough times no doubt. The recent resurgence in fans is kind of annoying to be honest. The UC used to be filled (er, empty actually) with Chelios, Mikita, Zhamnov, Hull, Esposito, Probert, etc, jersies... now its only Kane and Toews Reebok Edge jersies everywhere. Im glad fans are coming back, but I have a feeling that if the Hawks suck for the next few years then the UC will be empty again.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

... St. Louis is not a hockey city whatsoever. And how do you know the people at games are suburbanites? Seems like an odd generalization to me...

Well actually it is a fair assumption.

"The median income for a household in the city was $29,156, and the median income for a family was $32,585. Males had a median income of $31,106 versus $26,987 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,108."

"The racial makeup of the city of St. Louis (as separate and distinct from St. Louis County and the rest of the MSA) was 51.20% African American, 43.85% White, 1.98% Asian, 0.27% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other ethnic groups, and 1.88% of two or more ethnicities. "

St. Louis, Missouri - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The median income for a household in the city was $38,625, and the median income for a family was $46,748. Males had a median income of $35,907 versus $30,536 for females..."

"At the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, Chicago's population was: 38.9% White (30.9% non-Hispanic-White), 35.6% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 21.3% some other race and 1.6% two or more races. 28.1% of the total population were Hispanic or Latino of any race."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago
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A huge number fans that watch the Blackhawks at the United Center are from the burbs. I see no reason to not assume a huge number of Blues fans are from the St. Louis burbs as well.

Hockey (and any other major sport) tickets are not cheap.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

\

A huge number fans that watch the Blackhawks at the United Center are from the burbs.

Naturally, yes. A huge number of Chicagoans also watch the games at the UC.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Naturally, yes. A huge number of Chicagoans also watch the games at the UC.

I think it it safe to say a majority are from the burbs. How else would the parking lots be so full?