Back in 1985, there was only a one-point difference between the percentage of American adults who followed at least one sport and considered pro football (24%) or baseball (23%) to be their favorite.
Today, “America’s pastime” remains in the past, as pro football is still America’s Favorite Sport — now by a 16-point margin over baseball.
Pro football is the top pick among 32% of sports fans, while baseball only garners “favorite” status among half as many Americans (16%), according to a new study from The Harris Poll.
However, baseball aficionados can feel good that their sport of choice has managed a 2 percentage point increase from last year’s 14%, while football saw a three- point decrease from 2013’s 35% — meaning the gap between the two narrowed by five points year-over-year.
As if only to confirm the sport’s widespread appeal, men’s college football comes in as America’s third favorite sport, with 10% of adults supporting its claim, though, like its professional counterpart, this sport has also seen a narrow decrease from last year’s 11%.
The next two top sports have maintained their same fan percentages, with auto racing at 7% and men’s pro basketball, part of a three-way tie at 6%. Tied with basketball at 6% and up from only 2% last year, the most notable increase across the board, men’s soccer has made the list of America’s top five favorite sports.
The final member of the 6% three-way tie for America’s fifth favorite sport is ice hockey, most beloved by one percent more of the population compared with last year (5%).
Though the total number of sports fans considering pro football to be their favorite is 32%, some demographics are more attached to the game than others are. Generation X (43%), Easterners (37%), and moderates (35%) are the demographics most likely to consider pro football to be their favorite sport.
Meanwhile, the lowest numbers can be found among Millennials (25%), adults who have competed post- graduate degrees (25%), and liberals (26%).
As for those who believe RBIs and home runs are number 1, the largest percentages can also be found among Easterners (23%), liberals (22%) and Baby Boomers (20%). Meanwhile, those who consider baseball their favorite sport are less abundant among Midwesterners (12%), and adults with children in their households (10%).