November 2009
Major League Baseball, college sports and the Year in Review
Did you watch more of the World Series this year than you did in 2008?
No response/Not sure - 0.68%
The TV ratings for the 2009 World Series increased by 39% over 2008. What impact did the earlier start times have on the TV ratings?
No response/Not sure - 6.85%
Do you think that the umpiring in this year's MLB postseason will lead to expanded use of instant replay in MLB?
No response/Not sure - 8.97%
Do you support the expanded use of instant replay in MLB?
No response/Not sure - 3.78%
What do you see as the biggest issue facing the next president of the NCAA?
- Structure of BCS - 27.62%
- Revenue disparities between athletic departments - 26.57%
- Over-commercialization of college sports - 12.94%
- TV rights fees/negotiations - 11.19%
- Graduation rates among student-athletes - 8.39%
- Effects of Title IX - 3.50%
- Other (Please specify) - 2.45%
No response/Not sure - 7.34%
What background should the next president of the NCAA come from?
- College president - 29.02%
- College athletic director - 26.22%
- Pro sports property executive - 17.13%
- Executive outside the sports industry - 13.99%
- Broadcast media executive - 3.15%
- Sponsor/agency executive - 1.40%
- Other (Please specify) - 1.75%
No response/Not sure - 7.43%
Is the total compensation that the following people at Football Bowl Subdivision institutions receive excessive in the context of higher education?
Your brand is looking to activate in college sports. Beyond football and basketball, which NCAA sport would you turn to first?
- Baseball - 28.42%
- Lacrosse - 17.89%
- Hockey - 15.09%
- Soccer - 9.82%
- Track and Field - 4.21%
- Softball - 2.46%
- Volleyball - 2.46%
- Rowing - 0.70%
- Gymnastics - 0.35%
- Swimming & Diving - 0.35%
- Tennis - 0.35%
- Wrestling - 0.35%
- Other - 1.75%
No response/Not sure - 15.79%
How do you feel about the NBA's 19 year old minimum age requirement?
- I agree with a minimum age requirement, but it should be 20 - 43.66%
- I agree with the rule - 28.17%
- There should be no minimum age requirement - 17.96%
- I agree with a minimum age requirement, but it should be 18 - 7.75%
No response/Not sure - 2.46%
Other than the general fallout from the nation’s economic crisis, what has been the biggest sports business story of 2009?
- Chicago losing its bid for 2016 Summer Olympics - 25.27%
- Opening of new stadiums in Dallas and New York - 23.13%
- Labor unrest in Big 4 Leagues - 16.37%
- TicketMaster/Live Nation merger - 7.47%
- Phoenix Coyotes being sold to the NHL - 7.12%
- New York Yankees and Jets lowering ticket prices in new stadiums - 6.05%
- Sale of Chicago Cubs - 3.56%
- AFL folding - 2.85%
- Passing of NCAA President Myles Brand - 2.14%
- Other (Please specify) - 3.20%
- No response/Not sure - 2.85%
What was the most memorable championship event of 2009?
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals - Super Bowl - 28.11%
- Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees - World Series - 21.35%
- Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick - Wimbledon Championships - 17.44%
- Stewart Cink vs. Tom Watson - British Open - 12.46%
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings - Stanley Cup Finals - 6.76%
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic - NBA Finals - 5.69%
- North Carolina vs. Michigan State - NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship - 2.85%
- Florida Gators vs. Oklahoma Sooners - BCS Title Game - 2.14%
- Other (Please specify) - 1.78%
No response/Not sure - 1.42%
Which brand had the most successful year in sports?
- SpongeTech - 11.03%
- Gatorade - 10.68%
- Under Amour - 9.61%
- Nike - 7.47%
- Bud/Bud Light - 6.41%
- Land Shark - 4.27%
- AT&T - 3.91%
- Visa - 3.56%
- Adidas - 3.20%
- Coca-Cola - 2.85%
- Subway - 2.85%
- Coors/Coors Light - 2.49%
- MasterCard - 2.14%
- State Farm - 2.14%
- Verizon - 2.14%
- vitaminwater - 2.14%
- Miller/Miller Lite - 2.14%
- McDonald's - 1.78%
- Sprint - 1.42%
- Pepsi - 1.07%
- IZOD - 0.71%
- American Express - 0.36%
- Other (Please specify) - 2.85%
No response/Not sure - 12.81%
Which of the following was the biggest surprise of 2009?
- Tom Watson finishing 2nd at the British Open - 30.25%
- Arizona Cardinals advancing to Super Bowl - 26.69%
- Y.E. Yang beating Tiger Woods in the PGA Championship - 24.20%
- US Men's soccer team making it to Confederations Cup Championship - 11.03%
- A-Rod/Manny/Ortiz being linked to PEDs - 3.56%
- Orlando Magic reaching the NBA finals - 1.78%
- Other (Please specify) - 0.36%
No response/Not sure - 2.14%
Which sport/league will see the biggest percentage increase in revenue in 2010?
- UFC - 13.52%
- NCAA football - 12.46%
- NFL - 12.46%
- MLB - 11.39%
- MLS - 6.76%
- NHL - 6.05%
- IRL - 3.91%
- MiLB (Minor League Baseball) - 3.91%
- NASCAR - 3.20%
- NCAA basketball - 3.20%
- NBA - 2.49%
- PGA - 1.78%
- ATP - 0.71%
- LPGA - 0.71%
- WNBA - 0.00%
- WTA - 0.00%
No response/not sure - 17.44%
What is your favorite type of Thanksgiving pie?
- Pumpkin - 36.65%
- Apple - 23.13%
- Pecan - 18.86%
- Cherry - 7.12%
- None - I don't eat pie - 6.76%
- Blueberry - 3.56%
- Mince meat - 0.71%
- Other (Please specify) - 2.85%
No response/Not sure - 0.36%
From a business standpoint, what statement best sums up 2009 for you?
- Good year - 35.59%
- Fair year - 35.23%
- Excellent year - 12.81%
- Poor year - 11.03%
- Very poor year - 4.27%
No response/Not sure - 1.07%
What is your favorite type of Thanksgiving pie?
- Pumpkin - 36.65%
- Apple - 23.13%
- Pecan - 18.86%
- Cherry - 7.12%
- None - I don't eat pie - 6.76%
- Blueberry - 3.56%
- Mince meat - 0.71%
- Other (Please specify) - 2.85%
No response/Not sure - 0.36%
Thinking about your own particular business, what best describes your confidence level regarding the next 12 months?
Since November 2008, optimism amongst Turnkey Sports Poll members has risen by 176%.
