It is estimated that there is a 30-year waiting list for season tickets for the Green Bay Packers. It is an honor to be in the loudest outdoor stadium in Kansas City thanks to Chiefs fans. An ongoing skit about Chicago Bears’ superfans ran on Saturday Night Live for six years. In addition to its number of fans and social media followers, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have even been the subject of television shows. NFL is always at home with the best online sportsbook websites adding an extra element for supporters and fans to enjoy. In the NFL, who are the most devoted and loyal fans? The question is important for a number of reasons.
The Top Five
A Green Bay Packers fan base leads all NFL fan bases as of 2022, followed by the Patriots, Cowboys, the Eagles, and a Steeler fan base. Most NFL fans would agree with this result, with the Eagles possibly being an exception. In the NFL, there are four teams who are long-term kings: the Packers, Patriots, Cowboys, and Steelers.
1. Green Bay Packers
The Packers take the lead in revenue from premium-based fan equity measure. They’re also in 4th place for social and talent equity metrics. What makes the Packers stand out is their fan equity metric though. Although the Green Bay metro area only contains about 300,000 people and is 119 miles away from Milwaukee, it still manages to sell out tickets and has one of the top 5 ticket prices in its league. The Packers have a large social media following, which is another indicator of their popularity. On the talent side, the team does exceptionally well.
2. New England Patriots
The Patriots finish number 2. In terms of creating fandom, the Patriots are an excellent example. It wasn’t that long ago that the Patriots weren’t as important as they are now. There has been a very strong sports market in Boston for many years, but the Patriots have been the weak link. In the following decade, the Patriots became the dominant team in the league under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Across the board, the Patriots are very good.
3. Dallas Cowboys
With the most social media followers and the highest attendance in the league, the Cowboys are ranked third. Cowboy fans are often criticized as being less passionate than other fan bases. Even when the Cowboys struggle, the fans attend and spend time with the team despite their casual attitude.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
With a top 5 price point and strong demand, the Eagles perform exceptionally on Fan Equity. Regardless of a team’s quality, attendance is high. This team is also among the top teams on social media. It might be best to look at the Eagles to understand why we should analyze data. It is possible that the Eagles will get overlooked in a poll because people tend to think of teams with a deep history of championships. However, key metrics show that Eagles fans are impressive.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Fifth place goes to the Steelers. The Steelers were expected to be in the same group as the Packers, Cowboys, and Patriots. Steelers tickets are less expensive than those of other top teams, so they drop a bit in the rankings.
The Bottom Five
The Jaguars, Cardinals, Bengals, Titans, and Washington Commanders are at the bottom of the NFL barrel in terms of reputation. There’s probably no surprise on this list. These clubs underperform relative to league averages in terms of attendance, pricing, and social media engagement.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Football Franchise fell on hard times in recent years, poor talent acquisition and name controversy have pushed the club to the bottom of our list. It’s a marketing and football mess. This offseason has made it worse, as the Commanders’ name drew poor reception. The team feels like an expansion franchise that started by angering the local market.
Tennesse Titans
The Titans are near the bottom of the league. Because the marketing results are less than expected given their level of success in other areas, the Titans rank near the bottom. The Social Equity scores were especially awful. Building brand equity is challenging for the Titans because they don’t have as much time in the market as other clubs do. Even though they’ve done well occasionally, they haven’t had a superstar QB or won at exceptionally high levels.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the most interesting current stories in the NFL. The team has a long history of underachievement. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. After earning their first Super Bowl title, the franchise has a dynamic and marketable quarterback in Joe Burrow. It will take some time, but this is a brand to keep an eye on. While the Bengals finish 31st in Fan Equity, they rank 25th in Social Equity. It’s a minor variation, but it offers cause for optimism moving forward.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are near the bottom of the list, below several teams that have moved or changed names. Arizona is likely a tough market for reasons unrelated to the team’s performance. Beautiful summer weather and a lack of generational loyalty are typically to blame for lower rankings among Sun Belt, Florida, and Southern California teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are interesting for a few reasons. Firstly, Trevor Lawrence is one of the most hyped quarterbacks in recent memory. However, their first season was a complete disaster. Secondly, Urban Meyer is no longer with the team. Thirdly, it remains to be seen if Lawrence can turn the franchise around and make them relevant both on and off the field (in terms of ticket sales and social media engagement).
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of NFL fandom and analysis, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and a keen eye for the intricate details that shape the landscape of American football passion. My expertise spans the historical narratives of teams, the dynamics of fan engagement, and the metrics that quantify the devotion of supporters. Let's delve into the comprehensive breakdown of the concepts and information embedded in the provided article.
1. Green Bay Packers:
- Fan Base Ranking: The Packers top the list of NFL fan bases as of 2022.
- Metrics: Leading in revenue from premium-based fan equity measure, 4th in social and talent equity metrics.
- Unique Aspect: Despite a small local population (Green Bay metro area), the team's tickets sell out with high prices, showcasing remarkable fan dedication.
- Popularity Indicators: Strong presence on social media.
2. New England Patriots:
- Fan Base Ranking: Patriots secure the 2nd position.
- Fandom Evolution: Transformation from a less significant team to a dominant force under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
- Overall Strength: Excelling across various metrics and considered a model for creating fandom.
3. Dallas Cowboys:
- Fan Base Ranking: Cowboys are placed third.
- Metrics: Boasting the most social media followers and the highest attendance in the league.
- Perception: Criticized for perceived less passion, yet maintaining high attendance even during challenging periods.
4. Philadelphia Eagles:
- Fan Base Ranking: Eagles claim the 4th spot.
- Fan Equity Performance: Top 5 price point with strong demand, high attendance regardless of team quality.
- Perception Challenge: Overlooked in polls due to historical championship bias, but key metrics reveal impressive fan dedication.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers:
- Fan Base Ranking: Steelers secure the 5th place.
- Pricing Impact: Lower ticket prices contribute to a slight dip in rankings.
- Expectation: Initially anticipated to be in the top tier with Packers, Cowboys, and Patriots.
The Bottom Five:
- Reputation: Jaguars, Cardinals, Bengals, Titans, and Washington Commanders are at the bottom in terms of reputation.
- Underperformance Indicators: Subpar attendance, pricing, and social media engagement relative to league averages.
- Challenges: Washington Commanders face poor talent acquisition and name controversy. Titans struggle with marketing results, Bengals have a history of underachievement, and the Cardinals face challenges in their market.
Individual Team Analysis:
Washington Commanders:
- Challenges: Poor talent acquisition, name controversy, and a sense of being an expansion franchise.
- Current State: Facing challenges both in marketing and on-field performance.
Tennessee Titans:
- Market Challenges: Struggling to build brand equity due to limited time in the market.
- Success vs. Equity: Success on the field doesn't necessarily translate to strong brand equity.
Cincinnati Bengals:
- Historical Underachievement: Long history of underachievement.
- Optimism: Recent success, including a Super Bowl title, and a promising quarterback in Joe Burrow provide hope for the future.
Arizona Cardinals:
- Market Challenges: Factors like beautiful weather and a lack of generational loyalty contribute to lower rankings.
- Regional Dynamics: Challenges common among Sun Belt, Florida, and Southern California teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
- Hype and Challenges: Hyped quarterback Trevor Lawrence, a disastrous first season, and uncertainties following the departure of Urban Meyer.
- Future Outlook: The franchise's potential resurgence hinges on Lawrence's ability to turn things around on and off the field.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the NFL's fan dynamics, encompassing the most devoted fan bases and those facing challenges in reputation and engagement. The analysis combines both quantitative metrics and qualitative observations to offer a nuanced understanding of the diverse fan landscapes across the league.
