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One thing that hasn’t been brought up is sports radio rankings and market share. In cities like NYC, Boston, Philly, Chicago, this is big stuff. It’s a pseudo-gauge on how involved an area is day in and day out.
Since the departure of Francesa and Russo on New York’s WFAN, Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub lead by Felger and Mazz has dominated the National Barret Rankings. Felger and Mazz float between a 20-25% local market share. I believe those Nielsen ratings mean 1/4 or 1/5 of all radio listeners are tuned into Felger and Mazz sports talk. That’s insane given the fact that 98.5 isn’t the only sports talk station locally. In fact, the simulcasts viewership for Felger and Mazz often outdo popular TV shows. Meaning, more households in Boston are watching them talk sports than nearly anything else on TV late afternoons and early evening.
I know they are widely considered the industry standard now. I’d have to look at the other cities most popular shows/personalities to understand Nielsen ratings. But that’s one thing I know from living in Boston and then elsewhere… It’s a religion there.
Great point! It's definitely one way to gauge fan interest and involvement beyond attendance numbers.
As are the Blackhawks, Flyers, and two-thirds of the NYC area teams.
The Rams are 6th in attendance. I don't know the stats on opposing fan ticket sales but it makes sense that a city without a team for 3 decades would have fans of other teams. Especially in a sports capital. Either way the fans are there.
They maybe 6th in attendance but most people who at Rams games aren't Rams fans. Most of them are fans of the opposing team, Their on vacation in L.A. or are transplants from other cities that go to the games to support their hometown team. L.A. doesn't have a die-hard football fanbase right now. The Rams' Super Bowl parade was a clear example of that. In a city of 5 million-plus, only over 20,000 fans showed up to that parade.
MLS MLB NFL NBA NHL cities ranked by attendance and value
This is my list of sports capitals based on attendance and value in MLS MLB NHL NBA and NFL.
Tier 1
New York City
Los Angeles
Boston
Toronto
Chicago
Tier 2
Dallas
Washington DC
Houston
Philly
Tier 3
Atlanta
San Francisco
Seattle
Portland
Tier 4 (no particular order)
Green Bay
Montreal
Miami
Denver
Charlotte
St. Louis
Tier 5 (no particular order)
Edmonton
Baltimore
San Diego
Nashville
Cincinnati
Raleigh
Tampa
Vancouver
Minneapolis
Cleveland
I personally wanted to kick San Diego and St. Louis up a notch just because of a phenomenal fan experience at mlb games but that wouldn't be objective.
Last edited by mjtinmemphis; 12-11-2023 at 02:27 PM..
Reason: take portland out of 5th tier
This is my list of sports capitals based on attendance and value in MLS MLB NHL NBA and NFL.
Tier 1
New York City
Los Angeles
Boston
Toronto
Chicago
Tier 2
Dallas
Washington DC
Houston
Philly
Tier 3
Atlanta
San Francisco
Seattle
Portland
Tier 4 (no particular order)
Green Bay
Montreal
Miami
Denver
Charlotte
St. Louis
Tier 5 (no particular order)
Edmonton
Baltimore
San Diego
Nashville
Cincinnati
Raleigh
Tampa
Vancouver
Minneapolis
Cleveland
I personally wanted to kick San Diego and St. Louis up a notch just because of a phenomenal fan experience at mlb games but that wouldn't be objective.
I have no idea what your criteria means. All I do know is that dropping a sports-crazed city like Cleveland to the lowest tier (with the likes of Raleigh and Tampa) with some of the best attendance (NFL and NBA) and rising attendance last season with the Guardians (MLB), the finest, most-accessible downtown arena complex and with some of the best sports bars ... makes absolutely zero sense.
I have no idea what your criteria means. All I do know is that dropping a sports-crazed city like Cleveland to the lowest tier (with the likes of Raleigh and Tampa) with some of the best attendance (NFL and NBA) and rising attendance last season with the Guardians (MLB), the finest, most-accessible downtown arena complex and with some of the best sports bars ... makes absolutely zero sense.
Yes it does.
Cleveland NFL ranks 19 in attendance. NBA ranks 7th.
NBA value is 17. The browns are 19th.
I think Cleveland is a wonderful city. But I was looking at what cities ranked in the top 10 of value and attendance.
Cleveland NFL ranks 19 in attendance. NBA ranks 7th.
NBA value is 17. The browns are 19th.
I think Cleveland is a wonderful city. But I was looking at what cities ranked in the top 10 of value and attendance.
OK on attendance, although I'm really skeptical the Browns would be so low at 19th. The fact the Cavs rank 7th in attendance as a small market team, means something. But what the heck is 'value?
One thing that hasn’t been brought up is sports radio rankings and market share. In cities like NYC, Boston, Philly, Chicago, this is big stuff. It’s a pseudo-gauge on how involved an area is day in and day out.
Since the departure of Francesa and Russo on New York’s WFAN, Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub lead by Felger and Mazz has dominated the National Barret Rankings. Felger and Mazz float between a 20-25% local market share. I believe those Nielsen ratings mean 1/4 or 1/5 of all radio listeners are tuned into Felger and Mazz sports talk. That’s insane given the fact that 98.5 isn’t the only sports talk station locally. In fact, the simulcasts viewership for Felger and Mazz often outdo popular TV shows. Meaning, more households in Boston are watching them talk sports than nearly anything else on TV late afternoons and early evening.
I know they are widely considered the industry standard now. I’d have to look at the other cities most popular shows/personalities to understand Nielsen ratings. But that’s one thing I know from living in Boston and then elsewhere… It’s a religion there.
Boston is considered a launch pad career wise for anythingsports, former ESPN Reporter Michael Smith said as much. I remember for years there was ESPN Boston to match with ESPN Chicago LA and NY.
I also remembered recently that Dana White founded the UFC. White lived in MA and Bostonvoff an on before returning to Las Vegas to start UFC. Went to UMass Boston in Dorchester and fought in Peter Welch's Gym in Southie. I could go on with pugilist stories though.
OK on attendance, although I'm really skeptical the Browns would be so low at 19th. The fact the Cavs rank 7th in attendance as a small market team, means something. But what the heck is 'value?
I would say: Boston, Philly, Chicago and NY are the top 4 in that all 4 major sports are major franchise with loyal followings. Maybe LA, although their commitment to NFL is pretty weak. Detroit should probably also be up there.
This is my list of sports capitals based on attendance and value in MLS MLB NHL NBA and NFL.
Tier 1
New York City
Los Angeles
Boston
Toronto
Chicago
Tier 2
Dallas
Washington DC
Houston
Philly
Tier 3
Atlanta
San Francisco
Seattle
Portland
Tier 4 (no particular order)
Green Bay
Montreal
Miami
Denver
Charlotte
St. Louis
Tier 5 (no particular order)
Edmonton
Baltimore
San Diego
Nashville
Cincinnati
Raleigh
Tampa
Vancouver
Minneapolis
Cleveland
I personally wanted to kick San Diego and St. Louis up a notch just because of a phenomenal fan experience at mlb games but that wouldn't be objective.
You can move DC a notch down. Capital & Wizards are moving to VA
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MLS MLB NFL NBA NHL cities ranked by attendance and value
