Poll Indicates Nats Have Usurped Redskins As DC's Favorite Team

A new poll shows that the Nationals are "now clearly" DC's favorite sports franchise, according to Maese & Guskin of the WASHINGTON POST. In the poll, more than one in four DC residents -- 28% -- "name the Nationals as their favorite local team," four times the number that named them in '10. Fandom for the Redskins, long the "dominant sports team in the region, has plummeted," with just 13% now calling them their "favorite local team," down 21% from '10. The Nationals and Redskins are followed by the Capitals with 10%, the Wizards and WNBA Mystics, both at 8%, and DC United at 6%. Under a quarter -- 23% -- said that they "don't prefer any of the local teams." The poll was "conducted Nov. 12-17 among a random sample of 905 adult residents of the District, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus four points." The poll "did not include residents of the Maryland and Virginia suburbs." These results "underscore the elation that surrounded the Nationals' postseason run but also the precipitous fall" for the Redskins. In poll results released in March '10, about one in three DC residents -- 34% -- "named the Redskins as their favorite team, far more than any other professional sports franchise in the region." Since that time, the Redskins' "continued struggles in the standings have manifested themselves in the stands, as many fans have aimed their ire" at team Owner Daniel Snyder and President Bruce Allen.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS: The poll results also "reveal stark divisions among demographic groups." While 43% of white DC residents "name the Nationals as their favorite local team," just 5% "name the Redskins." Meanwhile, Black residents are "more divided," as 21% name the Redskins and 18% chose the Nationals. In addition, residents who have lived in DC for 20 years or more are "more likely to say the Redskins are their favorite team" than those who have lived in the city for less time. Additionally, the poll results "indicate a major generational shift," as a younger generation that "didn't experience the Redskins' glory years has less affinity for the local football team." The Nationals have "steady support among all age groups," but the Redskins' "highest support" is among residents 65 and older. Twenty-two percent of that demo call the Redskins their favorite team, and that support "weakens with each younger age group" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/21).