Ranking Jazz Fans
You’ve heard this stuff before. A player or team official gets the microphone at a press conference, or prior to a game, and calls Jazz fans “the best fans in the NBA” or the “best fans in the world.”
Not according to Forbes magazine.
The magazine recently ranked the country’s top fan followings, based on home and away attendance, merchandise sales and in-market popularity surveys. Jazz fans didn’t make list of America’s 16 best.
Leading the way were Red Sox fans, followed by Steelers, Red Wings and Colts fans. The study chose four teams from each of the four major spectator sports. Highest rated basketball fan base was the Boston Celtics, ranked No. 7 on the list. Other NBA teams to make the list: Spurs (8), Lakers (12) and Cavs (13).
The Jazz are immensely popular in their market. Their fan base is among the loudest in the NBA. But the best fans in the league? Not if the survey is correct.
The magazine didn’t provide details, but I’m guessing the Jazz did fantastically on home attendance and the in-market survey. But the team simply doesn’t sell much national merchandise, nor is it a phenomenal draw on the road.
Curiously, I’ve been to playoff games in L.A. and San Antonio, and I don’t think their crowds are particularly fanatical, and neither makes a lot of noise. But selling t-shirts and drawing fans on the road are a different story entirely.
As with all surveys, it depends on the questions that are asked.