ESPN runs some great participant surveys, here is some information they have come up with over the last month. Most of it will not shock hard core sports fans, but many of the results surprised this writer.
Percentages of participants who think these sports are fixed:
Pro wrestling 56%
Boxing 28%
Horse Racing 12%
NBA 6%
NFL 5%
Olympics 5%
MLB 5%
Percentage of participants that have gone to a game and…
Snuck into a better seat 27%
Missed a day off work or school 20%
Traveled more than 250 miles to get there 19%
Tailgated for 3 or more hours 17%
Scalped a ticket 13%
Verbally abused players from another team 10%
Painted their face 6%
Lied to a boss, parent or significant other to go 4%
Had sex 3%
Snuck in without paying 2%
% of participants who’d rather have their favorite team win a championship rather than…
Be U.S. president for one day 83%
Get Superhero powers for a day 64%
Have a year added to their life 63%
Have the best sex of their life 62%
Go on a dream vacation 48%
Win $100,000 Cash 17%
59% of fans say that their team was robbed by referees or umpires at some point this past year
63% of fans say that the U.S. has lost it’s relevance in International Sports.
8% of fantasy (league) players say they pay more attention to their teams than to their spouse.
29% say playing fantasy (leagues) make their lives better.
source ESPN magazine
