Last week the Commissioners and Union leaders from the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB appeared before Congress to discuss drug-testing, performance enhancing drugs and other forms of substance abuse.   David Stern said the 4 leagues had “gotten it right” in the last 3 years.

Have the four major leagues “gotten it right” in the last 3 years?

No – 64.65%
Yes – 28.28%

Have the 4 major leagues done enough to help stem substance abuse in amateur sports?

No – 74.24%
Yes – 9.09%

What is the most important issue currently facing the PGA Tour?

What is your perception of golf fans – are they as loyal to their favorite golfer as NASCAR fans are to their favorite driver?

Golf fans are less loyal than NASCAR fans – 73.33%
About the same – 15.90%
Golf fans are more loyal than NASCAR fans – 2.56%

How would you describe your perception of sponsorships in professional golf?

Tired – behind the curve compared with other professional sports – 46.15%
About the same – neither ahead nor behind – 44.62%
Innovative – ahead of the curve compared with other professional sports – 5.64%

What sports concessions trend will gain the MOST traction over the next two years?

All-inclusive tickets (unlimited food and drinks included in price of tickets) – 30.77%
Loaded tickets (containing credits for limited concessions purchases) – 27.69%
Faster/greater payment options – 12.31%
Healthier food offerings – 12.31%
Branded drinking/social areas – 5.64%
Expanded in-seat ordering/delivery – 3.59%
Improved food quality – 3.08%
Greater menu selection – 2.05%
Other - 2.05%

Do you agree with the following statement:  food & beverage concessions in sports facilities are NOT keeping pace with the trend toward healthier foods?

Somewhat Agree – 48.72%
Strongly Agree – 41.54%
Somewhat Disagree – 9.23%
Strongly Disagree – 0.51%

Should concessionaires re-examine their beer sales policies and consider cutting-off beer sales sooner at sporting events?

No – 58.46%
Yes – 35.38%

New financing mechanisms are entering sports, including the emergence of investment funds with the specific goal of investing in sports businesses.

Is it good for the industry to have investment funds buying into sports teams?

No – 53.37%
Yes – 29.53%

How concerned are you that investment funds are too focused on short-term returns to be good sports team owners?

Somewhat concerned – 54.92%
Extremely concerned – 21.76%
Not concerned at all – 15.54%

In which of the following leagues would you most like to own a team?

Minor League Baseball – 56.48%
Arena Football League (AFL) – 15.54%
National Lacrosse League (NLL) – 6.74%
NBA – Development League – 6.22%
Minor League Hockey – 3.63%
Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) – 3.11%

Which of the following reasons BEST describes the decline of horse racing in America?

The circuit is too decentralized – 21.47%
Lack of television coverage – 18.85%
Difficult to make horses into stars – 15.18%
Difficult to make jockeys into stars – 7.85%
Deterioration of the tracks – 5.76%
Other – 21.99%

What should the sport of horse racing do to attract more fans?

Enhance the at-event experience – 37.17%
More aggressive marketing – 30.89%
Target a family audience – 10.99%
Improve the tracks – 2.62%
Other – 7.33%

Thinking about your own particular business, what best describes your confidence level regarding the next 12 months for your own business?

5- Somewhat Optimistic – 38.22%
6- Very Optimistic – 35.60%
7- Extremely Optimistic – 10.99%
3- Somewhat Pessimistic – 7.85%
4- Neither Optimistic nor Pessimistic – 5.76%
1 - Extremely Pessimistic – 0.52%
2- Very Pessimistic - 0