Each month the ESPN Chilton Sports Poll computes a
Twelve-Sport Fan Index, the combined average fan activity of
the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA basketball and football, pro
golf, pro tennis, pro soccer, pro figure skating, auto
racing and pro boxing. The Twelve-Sport Fan Index is
tracked year-to-year and month-to-month, and changes are
noted each month in THE DAILY. The Sports Poll interviews
2000 respondents age 12+ each month (ESPN Chilton):
CHANGE IN THE TWELVE-SPORT FAN INDEX
December '98-December '99 November '99-December '99
+5.2% +0.5%
The increase in the Twelve-Sport Fan Index from
December '98-December '99 was aided by a large increase in
the fan base of the NBA and moderate increases in the fan
bases of college basketball, pro soccer and pro tennis. The
NBA's fan base percentage change from December '98-December
'99 is 33%. The twelve-sport index fluctuates slightly when
comparing November '99-December '99. However, the fan base
of college basketball did increase significantly when
comparing these two months.
-30-
