I have often wonderd about the popularity of the various different major sports in the United States. The impression I have, is that NFL is by far, the most popular sport and of the 'big games', the real football is the least popular. However, I really cannot be 100% certain and just thought it would be a bit of fun to get the opinions of everyone here.

So, what is your favourite?

Day Drinking

I voted NFL, but I think baseball is the most popular here.

I spend as little time as possible watching sports.  All the money has ruined everything.

I was given courtside tickets to a few basketball games a few years ago.  I'm not just talking about on the floor level.  My feet were on the damn hardwood.  I was thinking it would be the most exciting experience ever.  Instead, I was just disillusioned.  The only people nearby were those with big money to burn.  Not necessarily big fans.  Wine sipping, arriving late, leaving early, talking on the phone, etc..  I should have known better.  It kind of reminds me of what I see at concerts too.  

basebal bin berri berri good to me............

i love the world cup

htm...baseball and football and basketball are all insanely popular here in the us.  hockey probably being the least popular.  i do not watch every game from the home teams but when it comes to the playoffs from baseball/football and basketball i pretty much watch all the playoff games.

hope that answers your question.

Most popular team sport is football.
One need look no further than TV ratings of the Super Bowl for validation.

NASCAR isn't a team sport, but the number of live spectators is huge.
Lots of big tracks with attendances of 150,000 +.

My favorite is baseball.

Well, of the choices there, it's definitely NFL football {although I love college football as well---Big 12, Pac 10}.

I also love tennis {which was HUGE in the 70's}, and I got to hang out with a lot of famous players, but it wasn't on the list...

left shoe shuffle wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 6:05pm:

NASCAR isn't a team sport

Try telling that to the guys who prep the cars all year, and especially the drivers & crewmen who literally risk their lives TOGETHER to field a competitive team.

Motorsports is it for me, just wish I could vote for it. Drag racing, IndyCar & Nascar in that order.

Baseball...

Edith Grove wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 6:31pm:

left shoe shuffle wrote on Feb 17th, 2009 at 6:05pm: NASCAR isn't a team sport Try telling that to the guys who prep the cars all year, and especially the drivers & crewmen who literally risk their lives TOGETHER to field a competitive team. Motorsports is it for me, just wish I could vote for it. Drag racing, IndyCar & Nascar in that order.

True enough, EG.
However, in the "team" sport context, NASCAR still doesn't count.

BTW, love me some nitro guzzlin', ground poundin' NHRA action, too.
Hope they get the fuel cars back up to 1320 soon...

as genesis tells us, baseball was created by god on the 7th day. and he saw it and said it was damn fine...

however, football is by far the most popular sport in the US. the real football isn't even a real sport here, so it being on the list is a bit odd. i wonder who the loser that voted for it is?!!

Starbuck wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 7:59pm:

as genesis tells us, baseball was created by god on the 7th day. and he saw it and said it was damn fine...

God was unavailable for comment after he saw it being played on plastic grass under a Hefty bag...

left shoe shuffle wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 7:45pm:

BTW, love me some nitro guzzlin', ground poundin' NHRA action, too. Hope they get the fuel cars back up to 1320 soon...

I love the smell of nitromethane in the morning!   http://www.baronhats.com/images/Apoc-ani.gif

BTW, NHRA has announced they will continue 1000-foot racing through 2009.

Edith Grove wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 8:08pm:

BTW, NHRA has announced they will continue 1000-foot racing through 2009.

And not recognize any records while doing so.

Wally Parks must be spinning in his grave...

Edith Grove wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 6:31pm:

left shoe shuffle wrote on Feb 17th, 2009 at 6:05pm: NASCAR isn't a team sport Try telling that to the guys who prep the cars all year, and especially the drivers & crewmen who literally risk their lives TOGETHER to field a competitive team. Motorsports is it for me, just wish I could vote for it. Drag racing, IndyCar & Nascar in that order.

Yeah that's kind of the wierd thing about NASCAR. It's more of a team sport off the track,then on. When you have sponsors and owners with deep pockets and share info among teams. That's actually what is kind of ruining the sport. Their are only about 3-4 big teams that dominate. Yet,their are 43 cars that start each week. Half of which have NO chance of winning.

left shoe shuffle wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 6:05pm:

Most popular team sport is football. One need look no further than TV ratings of the Super Bowl for validation.

A big part of the ratings are probably people...

Watching the new commercials
Watching the half-time show
Just having it on in the background as an excuse to have a Super Bowl party!

sweetcharmedlife wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 8:39pm:

Yeah that's kind of the wierd thing about NASCAR. It's more of a team sport off the track,then on. When you have sponsors and owners with deep pockets and share info among teams. That's actually what is kind of ruining the sport. Their are only about 3-4 big teams that dominate. Yet,their are 43 cars that start each week. Half of which have NO chance of winning.

Anyone remember this guy? http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/4330/marcis/dave.jpg

Dave Marcis, probably the last of the great independent drivers.
Had to finally give it up maybe due to age, but I think mostly due to the current "corporate" situation of racing today.
Famous for driving in his wingtip shoes and kept on wearing them until he retired.
He ran his last few races with the help of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s team.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Marcis

As a couple here have mentioned it, I have decided to include NASCAR. I don't see why motorsport cannot be included in this poll.

I'll draw the line at F1 etc however, as it is not unique to North America.

btw, I am also aware that the sports included in the poll are also played outsise North America, but the purpose is discuss the favourites in the States, hence NBA, NFL, MLS etc

Honky Tonk Man wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 2:40pm:

I have often wonderd about the popularity of the various different major sports in the United States. The impression I have, is that NFL is by far, the most popular sport and of the 'big games', the real football is the least popular. However, I really cannot be 100% certain and just thought it would be a bit of fun to get the opinions of everyone here. So, what is your favourite?

You forgot college football.  It's much more enjoyable than pro.  College football has all the traditions of the schools and the guys do it mostly for the love of it - not money.   Go Huskers!

So that's my favorite spectator sport.  My favorite sport in which I participate is hunting - especially duck hunting.  

Greatest Video Ever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu82zQo39hk

Or if you can't watch YouTube from work:

http://www.studio425.com/video.php?vid_id=24


"From the outside looking in, you don't understand it.  From the inside lookiing out, you can't explain it."

Bring that trophy back to Lincoln!

Wild Bill wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 12:42pm:

Greatest Video Ever! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu82zQo39hk Or if you can't watch YouTube from work: http://www.studio425.com/video.php?vid_id=24 "From the outside looking in, you don't understand it.  From the inside lookiing out, you can't explain it." Bring that trophy back to Lincoln!

bill wins the award for "most annoying font 2009". congrats.

left shoe shuffle wrote on Feb 17^th, 2009 at 8:04pm:

Starbuck wrote on Feb 17th, 2009 at 7:59pm: as genesis tells us, baseball was created by god on the 7th day. and he saw it and said it was damn fine... God was unavailable for comment after he saw it being played on plastic grass under a Hefty bag...

sheeeaaat, son! god used to live in the metrodome back in the late 80s and early 90s. he lifted kirby up on his back to rob gant of that liner....as well as filled his bat with the strength of ten men in the bottom of the 11th....

and we all know what he did for morris in game 7.

NASCAR,nothing else comes close...No steroid BS...no strikes....

Can't have baseball tie or overtake football, so I just voted for the NFL.

LJ.

BASEBALL, baby!
(cackle, cackle...tee to the muthafuckin' hee!)
:aimama

GotToRollMe wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 1:32pm:

BASEBALL, baby! (cackle, cackle...tee to the muthafuckin' hee!) :aimama

PLEASE!!!!
Oh that's right you like to take naps.

C-RACK!!!!!!!!!!!

LJ.

LadyJane wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 1:38pm:

PLEASE!!!! Oh that's right you like to take naps. C-RACK!!!!!!!!!!! LJ.

I'll give ya a c-rack, ya doity bastid. Bronx Bombers Rule!

Okay, so I basically find all sports boring as an 8-minute live version of "Miss You."  I just find baseball less boring than the rest. And it has given me some truly exciting moments over the years.

Now football - that is some prime nap-inducing material right there.

Starbuck wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 1:05pm:

Wild Bill wrote on Feb 18th, 2009 at 12:42pm: Greatest Video Ever! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu82zQo39hk Or if you can't watch YouTube from work: http://www.studio425.com/video.php?vid_id=24 "From the outside looking in, you don't understand it.  From the inside lookiing out, you can't explain it." Bring that trophy back to Lincoln! bill wins the award for "most annoying font 2009". congrats.

But you're the wanker who didn't learn proper grammar in school!

detroitken wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 1:13pm:

NASCAR,nothing else comes close...No steroid BS...no strikes....

And it originated in the great sport of moonshine running!

GotToRollMe wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 1:54pm:

LadyJane wrote on Feb 18th, 2009 at 1:38pm: PLEASE!!!! Oh that's right you like to take naps. C-RACK!!!!!!!!!!! LJ. I'll give ya a c-rack, ya doity bastid. Bronx Bombers Rule! Okay, so I basically find all sports boring as an 8-minute live version of "Miss You."  I just find baseball less boring than the rest. And it has given me some truly exciting moments over the years. Now football - that is some prime nap-inducing material right there.

I actually still get off on the 8 minute live versions of Miss You. And yes, NFL is mindnumbing boring until the playoffs.

NFL came about because traditional rugby was too complicated for Americans: discuss!  ;)

Honky Tonk Man wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 2:37pm:

NFL came about because traditional rugby was too complicated for Americans: discuss!  ;)

things some americans don't get 3.1

rugby
jellied eels
cricket
queen
the queen
queen of puddings
house of lords

Honky Tonk Man wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 2:37pm:

NFL came about because traditional rugby was too complicated for Americans: discuss!  ;)

actually A. I thought it was because rugby wasn't complicated enough

slightly OT - you wonder why this version of football never really caught on - all you need is a ball, a wall and a tree

here are the rules and a bit of history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eton_Wall_Game

as played circa 1920

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSdlWtk1grI

they're still at it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr-K7bbz82Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-zVkRrw1Tc



stool ball??????????????????????????????????????????????

I would like to know more about rugby {than I do now}.

And cricket too. I know some cricket matches can last for days! {maybe longer...?}

Sioux wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 6:21pm:

I know some cricket matches can last for days! {maybe longer...?}

That's gotta be more boring than the real football.  :boring

OK, I voted for baseball before NASCAR was on the poll.

Can I change my vote? Huh? Please? Can I change it?  :Youmakeagrownmancrylikejoey

Lol, maybe....to Americans, anyway. But I'd still like to know a bit more about the rules and such.

I can watch pretty much any sport---except for basketball. Just don't like it. I got mad at "it" back in the early 70's when ACC basketball pre-empted a made-for-TV movie that I really wanted to see. lol I had met one of the actors in the movie {Ben Murphy, of "Alias Smith & Jones" fame}, and talked to him about it, and I just really, really wanted to see it after that. Turned on the TV.....and.....GRRRRR. Basketball instead.

Plus, basketball, in one form or another {college, pro,women's} is on TV literally TWELVE months of the year. Overkill.

Sioux wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 7:38pm:

Lol, maybe....to Americans, anyway. But I'd still like to know a bit more about the rules and such.

I actually would like to attend a Cricket match on my next trip to the UK.
I was really into baseball when I was younger, so I'd like to see how it compares.
Would help if I could go with someone who wouldn't mind putting up with me for a few hours!  :blankfriggingstare1

I went with baseball, my long time favorite.  But I've been wondering why.  It's always the same old teams that get all the big free agents and are always in the playoffs.  Why should a Baltimore Orioles fan care about baseball any longer when the Yankees or Red Sox will aways be ahead?  No reason any more, eally.   :(

Edith Grove wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 9:26pm:

Sioux wrote on Feb 18th, 2009 at 7:38pm: Lol, maybe....to Americans, anyway. But I'd still like to know a bit more about the rules and such. I actually would like to attend a Cricket match on my next trip to the UK. I was really into baseball when I was younger, so I'd like to see how it compares. Would help if I could go with someone who wouldn't mind putting up with me for a few hours!  :blankfriggingstare1

Ok,you know what.I'm as big of a sports junkie as anyone. I mean we're not just talking  :weed :booze kind of junkie. I mean I'm a  :funny :pullanolte kind of sports junkie....But Cricket? WTF? I have tried watching a second or two of cricket. Really what the hell is the general principle of the game. It's like baseball with tea and Heroin.

Does stoopball count?

Football.  More popular than God.   I love baseball, but the game has been ruined, by the Yanks, Redsox.  Steinbitch could not win six Supes.  

stonedinaustralia wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 5:21pm:

Honky Tonk Man wrote on Feb 18th, 2009 at 2:37pm: NFL came about because traditional rugby was too complicated for Americans: discuss!  ;) actually A. I thought it was because rugby wasn't complicated enough

Hmm... I can understand someone trying to make something less of a complication, but not the other way round. Maybe you are right, of course. I'll just carry on beleiving my theory!  ;)

I've even gotten into the X-games....love to see skateboard park {ramps, stair railings, etc} and snowboarding. I can get into BMX bikes and stuff too. Heck, I'll even watch bull riding! Seriously, just about everything but basketball, although I have to be in the mood for SLOW golf...

While all you sports fans are here I need some help picking my boat for my Fantasy Bassmasters League? Any ideas??

gimmekeef wrote on Feb 19^th, 2009 at 3:24pm:

While all you sports fans are here I need some help picking my boat for my Fantasy Bassmasters League? Any ideas??

go with the SS Minnow......

gimmekeef wrote on Feb 19^th, 2009 at 3:24pm:

While all you sports fans are here I need some help picking my boat for my Fantasy Bassmasters League? Any ideas??

At some point a line must be drawn :thatwassmart

gimmekeef wrote on Feb 19^th, 2009 at 3:24pm:

While all you sports fans are here I need some help picking my boat for my Fantasy Bassmasters League? Any ideas??

http://www.3rednecktenors.com/images/redneck_houseboat.jpg

GotToRollMe wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 1:54pm:

Okay, so I basically find all sports boring as an 8-minute live version of "Miss You."  I just find baseball less boring than the rest. And it has given me some truly exciting moments over the years. Now football - that is some prime nap-inducing material right there.

GTRM - at last !! - we have finally found something we  can disagree on!!

sweetcharmedlife wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 10:58pm:

Ok,you know what.I'm as big of a sports junkie as anyone. I mean we're not just talking  :weed :booze kind of junkie. I mean I'm a  :funny :pullanolte kind of sports junkie....But Cricket? WTF? I have tried watching a second or two of cricket. Really what the hell is the general principle of the game. It's like baseball with tea and Heroin.

well SCL - i guess it is a cultural thing to an extent -  i grew up with the game and have loved it all my life (cf M.Jagger) - still some people (see for e.g. J.P.Getty) have fallen for it later in life -

cricket is to chess as baseball is to checkers

the 5 day Tests are great - the highlight of  the summer holiday period is to watch all 30 or so hours of a Test Match over 5 days - it's a marathon it's epic - it's a true test of character and ability - that's why they call them Tests

for mine I find motor sports (watching cars drive round in circles WTF??) totally dull so there you go - each to their own

stonedinaustralia wrote on Feb 19^th, 2009 at 6:17pm:

[quote author=sweetcharmedlife link=1234903204/25#41 date=1235019518] cricket is to chess as baseball is to checkers

I was wondering if that was the case.....

left shoe shuffle wrote on Feb 19^th, 2009 at 5:57pm:

gimmekeef wrote on Feb 19th, 2009 at 3:24pm: While all you sports fans are here I need some help picking my boat for my Fantasy Bassmasters League? Any ideas?? http://www.3rednecktenors.com/images/redneck_houseboat.jpg

Get er done tater :retarded

Football for me, in fact Im in the pains of With drawls these days. :funny

---

Kilroy wrote on Feb 19^th, 2009 at 11:33pm:

Football for me, in fact Im in the pains of With drawls these days. :funny

For sure, it's the shortest pro sports season. :(

That’s Racing: Inmate sues: ‘NASCAR made me do it!’
By: Larry Woody, Sports Correspondent
Posted: Friday, February 20, 2009 12:16 am

Just when you think you’ve heard it all:

An inmate in federal prison has filed a $23 million lawsuit claiming NASCAR is responsible for his laundry list of criminal activity, from speeding to credit card fraud.

Jonathan Lee Riches filed suit in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va., stating that watching races “influenced him to speed … doing 135 mph and getting tickets.”

And that’s not all. He said his NASCAR addiction caused him to use “illegally obtained credit cards to attend races,” and once there, he used more stolen credit cards to purchase products hawked by race drivers.

“I used (Kyle) Petty’s Discover Card to buy Mark Martin Viagra,” states the tardy complaint. (Viagra no longer sponsors Martin’s car.)

Riches said he bought race tickets using credit cards that he admitted were fraudulent, “but the defendants insisted they did not care and encouraged me to buy Budweiser beer and funnel cake with more stolen funds.”

He concludes by claiming that Jeff Gordon’s Dupont-sponsored car “poisoned me with Dupont chemicals. I pray this court will grant my motions for relief. I don’t want to die in prison.”

Shakespeare said it best: “A noble mind is here or’thrown.”

http://nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=66199

Ha ha! I basically live in Richmond, Va. And we're not ALL that dumb............or are we? ::) ;) I guess I could come up with some great reasons why I do the things I do too. Those car fumes can get pretty thick at the raceway.... :P

I like baseball, football and basketball in that order. But lately all the steroid use is a phony way of breaking records and it's cheating. IMO sports lost it's innocence with steroids coz I dont trust any of the team's or the individual players. It's too bad steroid use ruined sports in the US.

Not only steriod use, but just the fact that sports are all about money, money, money. Hype and money. TV rights and money. Not enough emphasis on actual SPORTS.

Sioux wrote on Feb 21^st, 2009 at 4:34pm:

Not only steriod use, but just the fact that sports are all about money, money, money. Hype and money. TV rights and money. Not enough emphasis on actual SPORTS.

Hear! Hear! :wow

I was watching a couple of GSN shows the other night (insomnia!) & they happened to featured sports stars who weren't recognized by the game show panels. In fact, one guy introduced himself as a car salesman who also played for the "New York football Giants"! Not a trace of irony, either. Things have changed & not for the better.

wrote on Feb 21^st, 2009 at 6:14pm:

I was watching a couple of GSN shows the other night (insomnia!) & they happened to featured sports stars who weren't recognized by the game show panels. In fact, one guy introduced himself as a car salesman who also played for the "New York football Giants"! Not a trace of irony, either. Things have changed & not for the better.

Was it Brad Benson?

Former offensive lineman, not really a "star".
Those guys go largely unrecognized.

He owns a very successful Hyundai dealership in NJ.

Nah, this was the 1950's. He was a right tackle. I'll look it up & let you know shortly.

Bob Mischak. & Kyle Rote was another unrecognized guest. I guess the shows would use the players as fill-ins. BTW The show was called To Tell The Truth & these guys would be liars used to distract from the actual guest.

Bob Mischak was unrecognized in his own house...

Kyle Rote though?

Yeah, that guy was a star.

Guess he never had tea with Kitty Carlisle...

Aussie Rules football is the greatest sport on Earth.

Sioux wrote on Feb 18^th, 2009 at 6:21pm:

I would like to know more about rugby {than I do now}. And cricket too. I know some cricket matches can last for days! {maybe longer...?}

I'd like to know more about those two also.  I've been trying to get this one Indian friend in my neighborhood to take me to one of his cricket matches, but he always has some damn excuse why he won't take me.  Must be a secret society.  Hell, I have white clothes to wear if that's what it takes.  And I don't need to try to play the first time I go either.


Sioux wrote on Feb 21^st, 2009 at 4:34pm:

Not only steriod use, but just the fact that sports are all about money, money, money. Hype and money. TV rights and money. Not enough emphasis on actual SPORTS.

That's why college football needs to be added to the list of poll choices.  It's 50 times more fun to watch than pro.

High school football is more fun to watch than pro too.  The kids are just out there to have a great time.

That's true, Wild Bill.....high school and college both. Love 'em. :)

stonedinaustralia wrote on Feb 19^th, 2009 at 6:01pm:

GotToRollMe wrote on Feb 18th, 2009 at 1:54pm: Okay, so I basically find all sports boring as an 8-minute live version of "Miss You."  I just find baseball less boring than the rest. And it has given me some truly exciting moments over the years. Now football - that is some prime nap-inducing material right there. GTRM - at last !! - we have finally found something we  can disagree on!!

Well, nobody's perfect...
:areyoufuckingserious