Each month, the ESPN CHILTON Sports Poll computes a
Twelve-Sport Fan Index, the combined average fan activity of
the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA basketball and football, pro golf,
pro tennis, pro soccer, pro figure skating and pro boxing.
The Twelve-Sport Fan Index is tracked year to year and month
to month. Changes are noted each month in THE DAILY. The
following are February's changes. Note: The ESPN Chilton
Sports Poll interviews 2000 respondents ages 12+ each month.
CHANGE IN THE TWELVE-SPORT FAN INDEX
February '99 - February '00 January '00 - February '00
+0.8% -3.6%
After consecutive increases over the past three months,
the Twelve-Sport Fan Index fell in February 2000, down 3.6%
from January. Eleven of twelve sports used to calculate the
index experienced a slight decrease in their fan bases from
January 2000 to February 2000 (Pro Golf's fan base increased
4.2%). When comparing February 2000 to February '99, the
Twelve-Sport Index is nearly identical, up 0.8%. However,
Pro Golf and Pro Tennis both experienced statistically
significant increases from February '99 to February 2000,
their fan bases rising 14.3% and 9.3%, respectively.
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