August 10th, 2022, YouGov
America’s most popular sports league is also perceived as the property which puts on the best show for fans, according to data collected on a daily basis by YouGov SportsIndex.
The Quality metric, on which this is based, is comprised of two questions: “Which of the following sports leagues/events do you think are presented and staged to a high standard?” and “Which of the following sports leagues/events do you think are presented and staged to a poor standard”. The difference between the two scores delivers the Quality metric. The NFL takes the crown based on its average score over the past 12 months.
Next in the list after the NFL is Major League Baseball (MLB), the oldest major professional sports league in the world, with 38. The National Basketball Association (NBA) ranks third with a net Quality score of 31. NCAA Division 1 College Basketball follows closely behind with a net Quality score of 28 among sports fans in the US.
The Summer Olympics (28), National Hockey League (28) and NCAA Division 1 Football (27) have a similar degree of Quality perception among US sports fans. The Winter Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup score 25 each. PGA Men’s Golf Tour takes the ninth spot with a Quality Net score of 23.
Receive monthly topical insights about the sports industry, straight to your inbox. Sign up today.
Methodology: YouGov SportsIndex collects data on every major sports property in the US. Quality score is based on the questions: “Which of the following sports leagues/events do you think are presented and staged to a high standard?” and “Which of the following sports leagues/events do you think are presented and staged to a poor standard?” and delivered as a net score between –100 and +100. Scores are based on a sample size of between 575 – 666 US adults who say that sports is one of their top interests. Figures are based on a one-year net average.