TURNKEY Sports Poll September 2005 - NHL Popularity after holdout, popularity of boxing, Hurricane Katrina

TURNKEY Sports Poll

Turnkey Sports & Entertainment owns the Turnkey Sports Poll, the industry’s continuing survey of senior-level executives and owners which probes the hottest issues inside sports. The results of the poll appear weekly in the SportsBusiness Journal.

September 2005
NHL Popularity after holdout, popularity of boxing, Hurricane Katrina

When do you think the NHL will reach the attendance levels they had before the holdout (SELECT ONE)?

After one season - 29%

After two seasons - 29%

After three or more seasons - 21%

This upcoming season - 21%

When do you think the NHL will reach the TV ratings levels they had before the holdout (SELECT ONE)?

After three or more seasons - 40%

After two seasons - 30%

This upcoming season -16%

After one season -13%

No Response - 1%

Do you agree that the NHL's new labor agreement will make it more difficult for players in other leagues to win concessions from owners in their next collective bargaining negotiation?

Somewhat Agree - 46%

Neither Agree nor Disagree -19%

Somewhat Disagree - 16%

Strongly Agree - 11%

Strongly Disagree - 5%

How often do you watch boxing on television?

Rarely - 43%

Never - 39%

Occasionally - 16%

Regularly - 2%

Do you think that boxing is making a comeback?

No - 82%

Don’t Know - 12%

Yes - 6%

Please grade the sports industry's reaction to Katrina?

B - 48%

A - 33%

C - 15%

D - 3%

F - 1%

Which of the following BEST describes the sports industry's "responsibility" in the aftermath of a natural disaster like Katrina, a terrorist attack or other emergency (SELECT ONE)?

Utilize visibility in order to raise funds for the needy - 61%

Continue to play in order to provide a needed and welcome distraction - 24%

Cease to play for a appropriate period of time in memorial - 8%

Dedicate staff, players and coaches to hands on relief efforts - 4%

The sports industry has no responsibility - 2%

The sports industry has other responsibilities - 0%

No Response - 1%

Player agents are certified by the player unions, but investment advisors are NOT because player unions do not have the legal authority to do so. What is your general perception of the quality of the investment /financial advisers to professional athletes today? Pro athletes have (SELECT ONE)

Some are good and some are not - 76%

Solid financial advisors - 10%

Low quality financial advisors - 3%

The very best financial advisors - 1%

No Response - 10%

Should other player unions adopt the methods of the NFLPA and publish a list of approved financial advisors (SELECT ONE)?

Yes - 85%

No - 10%

No Response - 5%

Do you agree that the NBA has placed too much emphasis on the hip-hop culture?

Strongly Agree - 46%

Somewhat Agree - 36%

Neither Agree nor Disagree - 10%

Somewhat Disagree - 6%

Strongly Disagree - 1%

No Response - 1%

If the Charlotte Hornets need to move out of New Orleans, where would be the best place for them to relocate (SELECT ONE)?

Las Vegas - 44%

Okalahoma City - 18%

Anaheim - 10%

Nashville - 7%

Louisville - 5%

Norfolk - 4%

Baltimore - 4%

No Response - 8%

What will be the state of the NBA three (3) years from now?

About the Same - 47%

Somewhat Weaker - 25%

Somewhat Stronger - 23%

Much Stronger - 3%

Much Weaker - 2%

From a business perspective, which city is the best location to place the new NASCAR Hall of Fame?

Charlotte - 47%

Daytona Beach - 22%

Atlanta - 17%

New York - 4%

Kansas City - 3%

Richmond - 1%

Other - 1%

No Response - 5%

Do you prefer David Letterman or Jay Leno?

Letterman - 61%

Leno - 26%

Neither - 10%

No Response - 3%

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

Very Optimistic - 38%

Somewhat Optimistic - 32%

Neither Optimistic Nor Pessimistic - 13%

Extremely Optimistic - 12%

Somewhat Pessimistic - 2%

Very Pessimistic - 1%

Extremely Pessimistic - 1%

No Response - 1%