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 following are January's
changes. Note: The Sports Poll interviews 2000 respondents
age 12+ each month (ESPN Chilton Sports Poll):
CHANGE IN THE TWELVE-SPORT FAN INDEX
January '99-January '00 December '99-January '00
+8.8% +2.1%
The growth in the Twelve-Sport Fan Index when comparing
January '99 to January '00 is once again related to an
increase in the fan base of the NBA and pro soccer, and
moderate increases in the fan bases of auto racing, pro
soccer, pro golf and the NHL. The NBA's fan base increased
17.5% from January '99 to January '00, while the pro soccer
fan base increased 30.6% during the same time period. The
2.1% increase in the Twelve-Sport Fan Index from December
'99 to January '00 is related mostly to a 5.9% increase in
the fan base of the NBA and 10.4% increase in the fan base
of the NHL during those two months.
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