The Face of NFL Fandom on Facebook
January 30, 2013 7:27 AM Subscribe
With the Superbowl only days away, Facebook conducted a study of its customers' pages to see how NFL team fan representation played out across the site and geographically. Via Gizmodo.
I kind of love how they used grey in there when it's a team color, even though grey typically signifies "no data." Bold choice. NFL team colors aren't exactly a wide palette (note how the Cowboys ended up lilac), and I think it would have been a more effective map if they hadn't tried to stick with that convention. But I appreciate that they tried.
posted by troika at 7:37 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by troika at 7:37 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hmm. I knew there were a lot of Steelers fans here in North Carolina, but I had no idea how much of a foothold they had. Redskins fans are also common here. Surprised they didn't pick up any counties. I'd be interested to see this kind of map for other sports.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:38 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by Rock Steady at 7:38 AM on January 30, 2013
Heh, no one in the Bay Area likes the Raiders.
posted by octothorpe at 7:39 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by octothorpe at 7:39 AM on January 30, 2013
Way too many similar reds, but as a Bills fan, it's pretty easy to tell which red is "longest streak without making the playoffs."
posted by tjenks at 7:45 AM on January 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by tjenks at 7:45 AM on January 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
Whenever I am called upon to explain my Packers fandom here in lie-downs country, I simply say: my people are from the UP. At which everyone nods sagely and peaceful commiseration takes place.
posted by Chrischris at 7:46 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Chrischris at 7:46 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
I had to check at least four separate times to see what other teams use that yellow, because why in the name of Franco Harris are there so many Steelers fans in South Carolina, southern Nevada, Oregon and Alaska?
posted by Etrigan at 7:50 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by Etrigan at 7:50 AM on January 30, 2013
Hmm. I knew there were a lot of Steelers fans here in North Carolina, but I had no idea how much of a foothold they had. Redskins fans are also common here. Surprised they didn't pick up any counties. I'd be interested to see this kind of map for other sports.
North Carolina's relationship with pro sports is incredibly weird. I'd sort of figure they'd be split between Panthers fans and Redskins fans, but no, apparently it's the Panthers for the people around Charlotte and bandwagon teams from the 70s for the rest of the state (well and Washington County seems to love the Vikings, but I'm guessing that's small sample size since the entire population of that county would be a tiny crowd in any NFL stadium).
Growing up there, pro sports were at a best a minor diversion until the real sport (college basketball) started, but you'd think they'd at least have the decency not to root for teams for up north.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:53 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
North Carolina's relationship with pro sports is incredibly weird. I'd sort of figure they'd be split between Panthers fans and Redskins fans, but no, apparently it's the Panthers for the people around Charlotte and bandwagon teams from the 70s for the rest of the state (well and Washington County seems to love the Vikings, but I'm guessing that's small sample size since the entire population of that county would be a tiny crowd in any NFL stadium).
Growing up there, pro sports were at a best a minor diversion until the real sport (college basketball) started, but you'd think they'd at least have the decency not to root for teams for up north.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:53 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
too many teams with purple and/or deep blue. Especially when two states close together have similar colors, took me a puzzled moment to differentiate MN from CHI, with IA being the battle ground.
posted by edgeways at 7:54 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by edgeways at 7:54 AM on January 30, 2013
For one week only the Niners are officially "America's Team". #QuestForSix Frank Gore MVP!!!
posted by Roger_Mexico at 7:59 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Roger_Mexico at 7:59 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
"yea im from pittsburgh when i was in colorado i was in 2 steeler bars and had the chance to buy a steelers bowling ball but i passed on the ball that map needs some fixing"
If I were part of the data team at Facebook, I'd think twice before putting any work into something for the hoi polloi. On the other hand, I'm probably going to adopt that as my response when I don't agree with someone but don't have a good explanation.
posted by yerfatma at 7:59 AM on January 30, 2013
If I were part of the data team at Facebook, I'd think twice before putting any work into something for the hoi polloi. On the other hand, I'm probably going to adopt that as my response when I don't agree with someone but don't have a good explanation.
posted by yerfatma at 7:59 AM on January 30, 2013
Question for the football people: Will this SuperBowl be worth watching, gamewise?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:59 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:59 AM on January 30, 2013
Heh, no one in the Bay Area likes the Raiders.
This "study" is so sloppy that you can't really draw conclusions like this.
First, the guy assumes a Facebook "like" only means you are a fan of a team, not that it is also possible for someone to "like" a team in the bookmarking sense so they can follow news about that team (much like metafilter favorites can signal both approval and/or bookmarking).
Second, he's taking a winner take all approach to assigning a county to a team. The 49ers might have 1 more "like" than the Raiders in Alameda county, or 100K more, there's no way to know.
Third, he doesn't know geography - population density isn't taken into account (the Broncos look like they have a huge fanbase in western Nebraska but many of those counties only have a couple thousand people in them apiece, if a third of those people are on facebook, and a third of those on facebook are football fans, etc. you wind up with the Bronco fanbase of a couple dozen people per county). Similarly with the Steelers fans on the North Slope of Alaska (I'd be willing to bet it's not the natives that are football fans but oil workers). The real tip-off to geographic ignorance is the analysis of Florida facebook fans where he doesn't understand that people have retired to Florida from places north, hence their allegiance to northern teams.
posted by plastic_animals at 8:01 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
This "study" is so sloppy that you can't really draw conclusions like this.
First, the guy assumes a Facebook "like" only means you are a fan of a team, not that it is also possible for someone to "like" a team in the bookmarking sense so they can follow news about that team (much like metafilter favorites can signal both approval and/or bookmarking).
Second, he's taking a winner take all approach to assigning a county to a team. The 49ers might have 1 more "like" than the Raiders in Alameda county, or 100K more, there's no way to know.
Third, he doesn't know geography - population density isn't taken into account (the Broncos look like they have a huge fanbase in western Nebraska but many of those counties only have a couple thousand people in them apiece, if a third of those people are on facebook, and a third of those on facebook are football fans, etc. you wind up with the Bronco fanbase of a couple dozen people per county). Similarly with the Steelers fans on the North Slope of Alaska (I'd be willing to bet it's not the natives that are football fans but oil workers). The real tip-off to geographic ignorance is the analysis of Florida facebook fans where he doesn't understand that people have retired to Florida from places north, hence their allegiance to northern teams.
posted by plastic_animals at 8:01 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I wish there was some kind of mouseover you could do because some of those colors are hard to make out. I can't tell what's going on in Alaska, for example. Also, as far as I can tell, the Jets are only popular in one or two counties on Long Island.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 8:02 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 8:02 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Much as I suspected. Patriots fandom is metastatic.
posted by Mayor West at 8:04 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Mayor West at 8:04 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
"Question for the football people: Will this SuperBowl be worth watching, gamewise?"
Yes. The Ravens and the 49ers have two of the best Defenses in the league, and maybe in league history. It will be Ray Lewis' last game, and he is considered to be one of the greatest linebackers to play the game. The new greatest LB to play, Patrick Willis, is on the 9er defense . On the offensive side you have amazing playmakers in SF QB Colin Kaepernick, Bal RB Ray Rice, WR Torrey Smith and QB Joe Flacco. Frank Gore (SF) is an exciting running back to watch and Randy Moss (SF) has just proclaimed himself the greatest receiver ever. (cough Jerry Rice cough). Lastly the Harbaugh brothers are the opposing head coaches, and have been fierce rivals all of their lives. There should be plenty of interesting story lines throughout the game, and some incredible play from both offenses and defenses...
posted by Roger_Mexico at 8:05 AM on January 30, 2013 [8 favorites]
Yes. The Ravens and the 49ers have two of the best Defenses in the league, and maybe in league history. It will be Ray Lewis' last game, and he is considered to be one of the greatest linebackers to play the game. The new greatest LB to play, Patrick Willis, is on the 9er defense . On the offensive side you have amazing playmakers in SF QB Colin Kaepernick, Bal RB Ray Rice, WR Torrey Smith and QB Joe Flacco. Frank Gore (SF) is an exciting running back to watch and Randy Moss (SF) has just proclaimed himself the greatest receiver ever. (cough Jerry Rice cough). Lastly the Harbaugh brothers are the opposing head coaches, and have been fierce rivals all of their lives. There should be plenty of interesting story lines throughout the game, and some incredible play from both offenses and defenses...
posted by Roger_Mexico at 8:05 AM on January 30, 2013 [8 favorites]
Cincinatti BengalsWhy can no one ever spell Cincinnati right...
posted by Gordafarin at 8:05 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
This "study" is so sloppy that you can't really draw conclusions like this.
You see maps like this produced fairly often, with similar levels of accuracy. Honestly, I'd like to see someone do it with rigor, polling people to see how many are sports fans, how many follow each sport, what their favorite team is, and with what level of devotion they follow their team. It could be interesting, especially if you could also look at in relation to things like race, income, or place of birth, as opposed to where you currently live.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:08 AM on January 30, 2013
You see maps like this produced fairly often, with similar levels of accuracy. Honestly, I'd like to see someone do it with rigor, polling people to see how many are sports fans, how many follow each sport, what their favorite team is, and with what level of devotion they follow their team. It could be interesting, especially if you could also look at in relation to things like race, income, or place of birth, as opposed to where you currently live.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:08 AM on January 30, 2013
Lastly the Harbaugh brothers are the opposing head coaches, and have been fierce rivals all of their lives.
!!! Wow, I was totally unaware of that, that's pretty nuts. Thanks!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:08 AM on January 30, 2013
!!! Wow, I was totally unaware of that, that's pretty nuts. Thanks!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:08 AM on January 30, 2013
Interesting. UP of Michigan is mostly Green Bay fans and the very southwestern corner of the lower peninsula is Bears. Also: poor NY Jets, nobody loves you!
posted by dabug at 8:11 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by dabug at 8:11 AM on January 30, 2013
plastic_animals: The real tip-off to geographic ignorance is the analysis of Florida facebook fans where he doesn't understand that people have retired to Florida from places north, hence their allegiance to northern teams.
I'm not sure that's the case. The anomalous Florida teams (Steelers, Packers, Vikings, Cowboys and maybe Patriots? I can't discern the greys too well) are basically anomalies all over the country. These were the bandwagon teams in the 70s/80s/90s, so their popularity is not due to emigration, but just national prominence. The Patriots would be the exception to that, and maybe that does show some Snowbird influence.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:11 AM on January 30, 2013
I'm not sure that's the case. The anomalous Florida teams (Steelers, Packers, Vikings, Cowboys and maybe Patriots? I can't discern the greys too well) are basically anomalies all over the country. These were the bandwagon teams in the 70s/80s/90s, so their popularity is not due to emigration, but just national prominence. The Patriots would be the exception to that, and maybe that does show some Snowbird influence.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:11 AM on January 30, 2013
Before I figured out how the maps worked: "Sonofabitch!! Minnesota did NOT turn green once they were eliminated from the playoffs. These maps are made of LIES!!"
Then I realized that, once you removed all of the Vikings Fans, that left about 5 people in my county that liked any other football teams...and three of them are probably Packer Backers. Okay, then.
And - like the Harbaugh brothers - the coaches of the Puppy Bowl this year both came from the same litter!
posted by Elly Vortex at 8:13 AM on January 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Then I realized that, once you removed all of the Vikings Fans, that left about 5 people in my county that liked any other football teams...and three of them are probably Packer Backers. Okay, then.
And - like the Harbaugh brothers - the coaches of the Puppy Bowl this year both came from the same litter!
posted by Elly Vortex at 8:13 AM on January 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Bulgaroktonos: North Carolina's relationship with pro sports is incredibly weird.
For a couple years there the Raleigh stations would show San Diego Chargers games seemingly any time they had a chance. It took me a while to figure out they were just following former Wolfpack QB Philip Rivers.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:19 AM on January 30, 2013
For a couple years there the Raleigh stations would show San Diego Chargers games seemingly any time they had a chance. It took me a while to figure out they were just following former Wolfpack QB Philip Rivers.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:19 AM on January 30, 2013
Why can no one ever spell Cincinnati right...
Our decadent society has long since forgotten the example of humility, moderation, and prudence that was Cincinnatus returning to his plow after being named Dictator of Rome.
Also it's a Latin word derived from a three thousand year old family name that's probably originally Etruscan or something and there's no way to tell from pronunciation where all the extra Ns and Ts go.
posted by Copronymus at 8:19 AM on January 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
Our decadent society has long since forgotten the example of humility, moderation, and prudence that was Cincinnatus returning to his plow after being named Dictator of Rome.
Also it's a Latin word derived from a three thousand year old family name that's probably originally Etruscan or something and there's no way to tell from pronunciation where all the extra Ns and Ts go.
posted by Copronymus at 8:19 AM on January 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
the Harbaugh brothers are the opposing head coaches, and have been fierce rivals all of their lives
Another fun fact is that the Harbaughs' brother-in-law is Tom Crean, head coach of the Indiana University basketball team, which is currently ranked third in the country. Or maybe you only care about that if you're a big Hoosiers fan.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 8:23 AM on January 30, 2013
Another fun fact is that the Harbaughs' brother-in-law is Tom Crean, head coach of the Indiana University basketball team, which is currently ranked third in the country. Or maybe you only care about that if you're a big Hoosiers fan.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 8:23 AM on January 30, 2013
I had to check at least four separate times to see what other teams use that yellow, because why in the name of Franco Harris are there so many Steelers fans in South Carolina, southern Nevada, Oregon and Alaska?
There is a background noise of national fans of a few specific teams; the "who is friends with who" matrix below is a really helpful guide, since most people are fans of their local team and friends with people in their same location. In areas without a specific favoured local team, this baseline of national fans can take over. The Steelers are one of the strongest national fan groups, along with the Cowboys especially. Other teams with strong national followings seem to be the Packers and (maybe to a lesser degree) the Raiders and Patriots.
All of these teams have distinctive "personalities" and a long history with success in multiple eras -- the Steelers and Cowboys played each other in Super Bowls in both the 1970s and 1990s. The Cowboys and Steelers are tied for most appearances, the Patriots are 3rd and the Raiders and Packers are tied for 6th. All of these teams have appearances in two different decades, and all but the Cowboys in three different decades.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 8:23 AM on January 30, 2013
There is a background noise of national fans of a few specific teams; the "who is friends with who" matrix below is a really helpful guide, since most people are fans of their local team and friends with people in their same location. In areas without a specific favoured local team, this baseline of national fans can take over. The Steelers are one of the strongest national fan groups, along with the Cowboys especially. Other teams with strong national followings seem to be the Packers and (maybe to a lesser degree) the Raiders and Patriots.
All of these teams have distinctive "personalities" and a long history with success in multiple eras -- the Steelers and Cowboys played each other in Super Bowls in both the 1970s and 1990s. The Cowboys and Steelers are tied for most appearances, the Patriots are 3rd and the Raiders and Packers are tied for 6th. All of these teams have appearances in two different decades, and all but the Cowboys in three different decades.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 8:23 AM on January 30, 2013
For a couple years there the Raleigh stations would show San Diego Chargers games seemingly any time they had a chance. It took me a while to figure out they were just following former Wolfpack QB Philip Rivers.
Yeah, if you watch what's being broadcast, you'll see stuff like this. For a while Packers games were always being broadcast in Mississippi and then Favre left and that stopped.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:27 AM on January 30, 2013
Yeah, if you watch what's being broadcast, you'll see stuff like this. For a while Packers games were always being broadcast in Mississippi and then Favre left and that stopped.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:27 AM on January 30, 2013
Bulgaroktonos: Yeah, if you watch what's being broadcast,
As a transplanted Bostonian, I am very familiar with the magic of the506.com.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:30 AM on January 30, 2013
As a transplanted Bostonian, I am very familiar with the magic of the506.com.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:30 AM on January 30, 2013
Interesting. UP of Michigan is mostly Green Bay fans
The UP has always felt more like an extension of Northern WI then of MI to me. I am sure there are people both in Northern WI and in the UP who will disagree vehemently with this feeling, but there you go.
posted by edgeways at 8:31 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
The UP has always felt more like an extension of Northern WI then of MI to me. I am sure there are people both in Northern WI and in the UP who will disagree vehemently with this feeling, but there you go.
posted by edgeways at 8:31 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
The UP has always felt more like an extension of Northern WI then of MI to me
It originally was part of Wisconsin (or at least the part of the Northwest Territories that would become Wisconsin). Michigan only got it after they were forced to give Toledo to Ohio.
posted by Copronymus at 8:37 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
It originally was part of Wisconsin (or at least the part of the Northwest Territories that would become Wisconsin). Michigan only got it after they were forced to give Toledo to Ohio.
posted by Copronymus at 8:37 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
It originally was part of Wisconsin (or at least the part of the Northwest Territories that would become Wisconsin). Michigan only got it after they were forced to give Toledo to Ohio.
Jesus. Talk about a lose-lose scenario.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:38 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Jesus. Talk about a lose-lose scenario.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:38 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'd take that trade any day (sorry Toledo!)
posted by dabug at 8:38 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by dabug at 8:38 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
One thing I liked about the playoff maps is that they show how many sports fans are shameless frontrunners. Was 3/4 of the country really excited about the prospect of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick winning a fourth Super Bowl? The Patriots don't even have a particularly glorious legacy from before the 2000s, and I don't feel like there's been a Patriots fan diaspora in the way that the Steelers and Packers have had. It's just picking the most famous team because you'd rather not back a loser.
posted by Copronymus at 8:44 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by Copronymus at 8:44 AM on January 30, 2013
Thanks for this. It's stunning how much this map resembles America's regional cultures.
posted by downing street memo at 8:47 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by downing street memo at 8:47 AM on January 30, 2013
Huh, lotta Packer fans up in Alaska. Maybe they're decent people after all.
posted by echo target at 8:50 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by echo target at 8:50 AM on January 30, 2013
It originally was part of Wisconsin (or at least the part of the Northwest Territories that would become Wisconsin). Michigan only got it after they were forced to give Toledo to Ohio.
The UP was never part of any organized American area called "Wisconsin," territory or state. Before the Toledo War, the Michigan Territory included all of the UP and what's now Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and the eastern halves of North and South Dakota. The Toledo concession was that Michigan would get statehood with the entire UP rather than just the eastern bit.
posted by Etrigan at 8:52 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
The UP was never part of any organized American area called "Wisconsin," territory or state. Before the Toledo War, the Michigan Territory included all of the UP and what's now Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and the eastern halves of North and South Dakota. The Toledo concession was that Michigan would get statehood with the entire UP rather than just the eastern bit.
posted by Etrigan at 8:52 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Copronymus: I don't feel like there's been a Patriots fan diaspora in the way that the Steelers and Packers have had.
Boston sports teams always have a decent national presence, theoretically due to kids coming to New England for college and falling in love with the local teams. It's why the Red Sox refer to their fandom as Red Sox Nation, for example. So between the success of the Pats and the general inclination to Boston sports having a national reach, I'm not too surprised.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:55 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Boston sports teams always have a decent national presence, theoretically due to kids coming to New England for college and falling in love with the local teams. It's why the Red Sox refer to their fandom as Red Sox Nation, for example. So between the success of the Pats and the general inclination to Boston sports having a national reach, I'm not too surprised.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:55 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's just picking the most famous team because you'd rather not back a loser.
Isn't that how everything works? Writ large = U.S. presidential election. Backing the winner is the deciding factor for 80-90% of the populace, i.e. "See, I was right!"
posted by mrgrimm at 8:56 AM on January 30, 2013
Isn't that how everything works? Writ large = U.S. presidential election. Backing the winner is the deciding factor for 80-90% of the populace, i.e. "See, I was right!"
posted by mrgrimm at 8:56 AM on January 30, 2013
I'm surprised how many state borders are also fandom borders. Even borders between states neither of which have a team - why should the Arkansas-Mississippi border also be the Cowboys-Saints border, for example? Why does Broncos fandom stop cold at the New Mexico border? Why do so many of these examples involve the Cowboys?
Dallas sucks.
posted by madcaptenor at 8:56 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Dallas sucks.
posted by madcaptenor at 8:56 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
I suspect that the large number of Steelers fans in NC and SC are the legacy of 70s-80s NFL TV programming decisions. Every weekend you'd see the Steelers or the Cowboys on TV.
And obviously no one with any sense is gonna root for the Cowboys.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 8:58 AM on January 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
And obviously no one with any sense is gonna root for the Cowboys.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 8:58 AM on January 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
madcaptenor: I'm surprised how many state borders are also fandom borders.
Official NFL TV Markets. This means that networks in those markets are obligated to show the "home team" on TV over any other matchup.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:01 AM on January 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
Official NFL TV Markets. This means that networks in those markets are obligated to show the "home team" on TV over any other matchup.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:01 AM on January 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
I don't feel like there's been a Patriots fan diaspora in the way that the Steelers and Packers have had.
In San Francisco, I'd say Patriots and Red Sox fans are the biggest groups of non-local sports fans. Coliseum dollar day at A's-Red Sox is a fucking nightmare.
And maybe it's because I lived near the Buccaneer and Shanghai for a stretch, but there are a LOT of Patriots fans at bars (enough to pre-empt local college basketball games - grr). Also, Jack's/Elixir, lots of Boston fans...
posted by mrgrimm at 9:01 AM on January 30, 2013
In San Francisco, I'd say Patriots and Red Sox fans are the biggest groups of non-local sports fans. Coliseum dollar day at A's-Red Sox is a fucking nightmare.
And maybe it's because I lived near the Buccaneer and Shanghai for a stretch, but there are a LOT of Patriots fans at bars (enough to pre-empt local college basketball games - grr). Also, Jack's/Elixir, lots of Boston fans...
posted by mrgrimm at 9:01 AM on January 30, 2013
All I can say is this Vikings fan is glad the hockey season decided to start. What is this "Superbowl" of which you speak? I think my parents went to the last important one, oh, in 1977. Do they still have Super Bowls?
posted by jillithd at 9:02 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jillithd at 9:02 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
it is also possible for someone to "like" a team in the bookmarking sense so they can follow news about that team
While that's possible, do people really do that with sports teams? I 'like' (and actually like!) the NY Giants, and though I follow other NFC East news, I wouldn't 'like' the Eagles or Cowboys to keep up with them.
posted by lullaby at 9:05 AM on January 30, 2013
While that's possible, do people really do that with sports teams? I 'like' (and actually like!) the NY Giants, and though I follow other NFC East news, I wouldn't 'like' the Eagles or Cowboys to keep up with them.
posted by lullaby at 9:05 AM on January 30, 2013
Interesting map. Best evidence ever that Cowboys as America's team is not completely ridiculous, although it applies more to square mileage than asses in seats.
posted by bukvich at 9:07 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by bukvich at 9:07 AM on January 30, 2013
it is also possible for someone to "like" a team in the bookmarking sense so they can follow news about that team
I do this with my local political representatives (even the ones I would rather kick in the junk than vote for), but I don't think anyone needs to Facebook-like any NFL team to find out what's going on with it, given the plethora of blogs and websites and television shows and television networks that are devoted to covering the NFL.
posted by Etrigan at 9:10 AM on January 30, 2013
I do this with my local political representatives (even the ones I would rather kick in the junk than vote for), but I don't think anyone needs to Facebook-like any NFL team to find out what's going on with it, given the plethora of blogs and websites and television shows and television networks that are devoted to covering the NFL.
posted by Etrigan at 9:10 AM on January 30, 2013
My suspicions confirmed: nobody cares about Jacksonville.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:35 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:35 AM on January 30, 2013
Jacksonville's area is about the same size as Houston's. What amazes me is that there are any Jet counties or Raider counties at all. That has to be the order of the statistical sampling non-randomness if you ask me.
Error ~= size of Jet-land or size of Raider-land.
posted by bukvich at 9:41 AM on January 30, 2013
Error ~= size of Jet-land or size of Raider-land.
posted by bukvich at 9:41 AM on January 30, 2013
I'm surprised how many state borders are also fandom borders. Even borders between states neither of which have a team - why should the Arkansas-Mississippi border also be the Cowboys-Saints border, for example?
One aspect is that the border between Arkansas and Mississippi is the Mississippi river. It's not the same type of border where everyone knows everyone five miles away on the other side of the state line, so there's definitely less room for cross pollination so to speak.
Another aspect is that neither state has a NFL franchise. Throw in the other facts that Dallas is one of the nearest very successful football teams, that the Cowboys are owned by Jerry Jones, a member of the University of Arkansas National Championship team ('64), and its most successful coach, Jimmy Johnson, was ALSO part of that Championship team, which possesses a gifted status in Arkansas. (Of note - the University of Arkansas Razorbacks is considered THE team of Arkansas, aka, a one school state, in terms of fandom. That's not to say people don't cheer on the Red Wolves of Arkansas State, for example, but pretty much almost every corner has a Razorback fan). Finally, because Arkansas played in the Southwest Conference, which could have also been renamed (Texas schools plus Arkansas), Arkansas football fans had for decades been used to focusing on Texas as the heart of all things football.
So....the above convergence of these facts is why Arkansas is a mostly solid Dallas Cowboys state of fans.
Arguably, Oklahoma's dearth of professional football also lent itself to Cowboy fascination.
posted by Atreides at 10:07 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
One aspect is that the border between Arkansas and Mississippi is the Mississippi river. It's not the same type of border where everyone knows everyone five miles away on the other side of the state line, so there's definitely less room for cross pollination so to speak.
Another aspect is that neither state has a NFL franchise. Throw in the other facts that Dallas is one of the nearest very successful football teams, that the Cowboys are owned by Jerry Jones, a member of the University of Arkansas National Championship team ('64), and its most successful coach, Jimmy Johnson, was ALSO part of that Championship team, which possesses a gifted status in Arkansas. (Of note - the University of Arkansas Razorbacks is considered THE team of Arkansas, aka, a one school state, in terms of fandom. That's not to say people don't cheer on the Red Wolves of Arkansas State, for example, but pretty much almost every corner has a Razorback fan). Finally, because Arkansas played in the Southwest Conference, which could have also been renamed (Texas schools plus Arkansas), Arkansas football fans had for decades been used to focusing on Texas as the heart of all things football.
So....the above convergence of these facts is why Arkansas is a mostly solid Dallas Cowboys state of fans.
Arguably, Oklahoma's dearth of professional football also lent itself to Cowboy fascination.
posted by Atreides at 10:07 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
madcaptenor: I'm surprised how many state borders are also fandom borders.
Official NFL TV Markets. This means that networks in those markets are obligated to show the "home team" on TV over any other matchup.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:01 PM on January 30 [3 favorites -] [!]
That map is not completely accurate.
From long discussions on this with their Analytics staff, take each stadium, draw a 75 mile ring around the stadium. What state you intersects is considered 'your territory'.
Next, where two stadium 75 mile rings intersect, there is sometimes a border at the intersect points so technically 'ravens' and 'redskins' are separated by that line that bisects the area shared by the two circles. Philly and Baltimore get the same treatment, leading to the ravens having a very thin slice of the pie.
Now, areas outside of the 75 mile ring that are attributed to you are shared - meaning that in Conneticut Fairfield County (SW) is considered Jets/Giants territory, and Windham (NE) is considered part of New England; however Middlesex (Central) gets both.
This is the broadcast/blackout range as well as the range in which affiliated advertisers can use individual team deal imagery (some exceptions apply, national campaign stuff is a bit different).
So yes, state geography has a lot to do with what team you are shown in many places.
There are some other nuances I may have failed to describe, but the biggest problem with the map I see here is that VT is actually not considered part of official New England Patriots territory (cue my wife flipping out as she tells me Vermont is full of Pats fans) because their border is .18 miles short of the 75 mile exclusion ring. I don't make the blackout rules, I just have to follow them.
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:42 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
echo target: Huh, lotta Packer fans up in Alaska. Maybe they're decent people after all.
Or maybe they've been drinking radiator fluid.
{/Skol Vikings!}
posted by mfu at 10:44 AM on January 30, 2013
Or maybe they've been drinking radiator fluid.
{/Skol Vikings!}
posted by mfu at 10:44 AM on January 30, 2013
I'd add, that yes, NY Jets and NY Giants share the same territory; however the Nielsen ratings between the two give the NY Giants about a 5:1 advantage in their territory.
Also, Oklahoma has a very thin overlap of the 75 mile Dallas ring (hence their Cowboys affiliation).
LA has a 75 Mile exclusion around their old stadium despite that the Raiders have been in Oakland for almost twenty years.
The Raiders / 49ers ring gets confusing.
Also, these maps don't give good ideas of the populations of the territories each team has...
Lets just say Green Bay may have die hard fans; however there are a lot fewer Green Bay fans in their team area than there are Eagles fans in the Eagles area.
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:54 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also, Oklahoma has a very thin overlap of the 75 mile Dallas ring (hence their Cowboys affiliation).
LA has a 75 Mile exclusion around their old stadium despite that the Raiders have been in Oakland for almost twenty years.
The Raiders / 49ers ring gets confusing.
Also, these maps don't give good ideas of the populations of the territories each team has...
Lets just say Green Bay may have die hard fans; however there are a lot fewer Green Bay fans in their team area than there are Eagles fans in the Eagles area.
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:54 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Is there a reason that TV market map shows NE North Carolina as a TV market for the Steelers?
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 10:56 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 10:56 AM on January 30, 2013
I dug up an old Reddit thread, and it seems like they're just using a non-adjacent color to show a Carolina/Redskins split, which makes more sense than just deciding that Perquimans County should be a Steelers market randomly.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 11:03 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 11:03 AM on January 30, 2013
Boston sports teams always have a decent national presence, theoretically due to kids coming to New England for college and falling in love with the local teams.
Yeah, that was me! Despite growing up in Redskins country and living Giants/Jets way now. For the Pats anyway.
posted by sweetkid at 11:08 AM on January 30, 2013
Yeah, that was me! Despite growing up in Redskins country and living Giants/Jets way now. For the Pats anyway.
posted by sweetkid at 11:08 AM on January 30, 2013
Bulgaroktonos: I dug up an old Reddit thread, and it seems like they're just using a non-adjacent color to show a Carolina/Redskins split, which makes more sense than just deciding that Perquimans County should be a Steelers market randomly.
I was a bit dubious of that as well, Bulgaroktonos. Looking into it further, it's not entirely clear that the map I linked to is actually "official" in any way a cursory Googling suggests, for what it's worth.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:09 AM on January 30, 2013
I was a bit dubious of that as well, Bulgaroktonos. Looking into it further, it's not entirely clear that the map I linked to is actually "official" in any way a cursory Googling suggests, for what it's worth.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:09 AM on January 30, 2013
sweetkid: Yeah, that was me! Despite growing up in Redskins country and living Giants/Jets way now. For the Pats anyway.
Yeah, I was able to infect my college roommate with Boston-sports-fan-ism, and when he moved to NYC he said he was kind of shocked at how much joy he took in wearing a Sox cap in Yankee country. I told him I felt like a proud parent.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:17 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I was able to infect my college roommate with Boston-sports-fan-ism, and when he moved to NYC he said he was kind of shocked at how much joy he took in wearing a Sox cap in Yankee country. I told him I felt like a proud parent.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:17 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
People. Steeler Nation is everywhere. That's all the explanation all the gold on that map requires.
And Dallas does indeed suck.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 11:24 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
And Dallas does indeed suck.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 11:24 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Steeler Nation is everywhere.
Like chlamydia.
posted by Etrigan at 11:35 AM on January 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
Like chlamydia.
posted by Etrigan at 11:35 AM on January 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
There's, like, one guy from Pittsburgh living in Bethel with an internet connection. Hence, the North Slope is yellow.
posted by Foam Pants at 11:36 AM on January 30, 2013
posted by Foam Pants at 11:36 AM on January 30, 2013
Etrigan: Steeler Nation is everywhere.
Like chlamydia.
There's got to be a Ben Roethlisberger joke there somewhere.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:37 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Like chlamydia.
There's got to be a Ben Roethlisberger joke there somewhere.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:37 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Elly Vortex: Before I figured out how the maps worked: "Sonofabitch!! Minnesota did NOT turn green once they were eliminated from the playoffs. These maps are made of LIES!!"
Totally agree. I nearly did a spit-take when I read this in the article: "Most Facebook users in Illinois, usually fervent Chicago Bears fans, were probably hoping the rival Packers would continue their regular season success."
Um, no. Talk about a faulty conclusion drawn from data. I bleed green and gold, and if the positions were reversed, I would be rooting only for a Bears loss--the more humiliating the better.
The map of all 32 fan bases is solid and interesting (greetings to my fellow Cheeseheads in Alaska!), but once he starts removing fan bases, there's not enough description of the methodology to really know. Is it all likes in recorded history or only likes that occurred during the study period (the season? The playoffs?) as he seems to imply? In any case, clearly there were Packer likes in Illinois (and Minnesota) all along, but that signal was simply swamped by the "noise" of Bears/Vikings likes until those were removed. This would not pass peer review.
posted by dust of the stars at 11:50 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Totally agree. I nearly did a spit-take when I read this in the article: "Most Facebook users in Illinois, usually fervent Chicago Bears fans, were probably hoping the rival Packers would continue their regular season success."
Um, no. Talk about a faulty conclusion drawn from data. I bleed green and gold, and if the positions were reversed, I would be rooting only for a Bears loss--the more humiliating the better.
The map of all 32 fan bases is solid and interesting (greetings to my fellow Cheeseheads in Alaska!), but once he starts removing fan bases, there's not enough description of the methodology to really know. Is it all likes in recorded history or only likes that occurred during the study period (the season? The playoffs?) as he seems to imply? In any case, clearly there were Packer likes in Illinois (and Minnesota) all along, but that signal was simply swamped by the "noise" of Bears/Vikings likes until those were removed. This would not pass peer review.
posted by dust of the stars at 11:50 AM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
The funny thing is that because rivalries tend to be geographic, you're going to have a lot of cases where eliminating one team results in them picking their rival. There's a decent number of Packers fans in Chicago because Chicago is close to Wisconsin and people from Wisconsin move there and the 14th Amendment means that they can't be kicked out like they deserve.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 11:58 AM on January 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 11:58 AM on January 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
If I am reading this right, there are a ton of Steelers fans in Hawaii. Where are all you people? I've had to sate myself with football debates again Seahawks and 49ers fans for twenty years. I'd much rather get into it with a Steelers fan. They are merciless.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:02 PM on January 30, 2013
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:02 PM on January 30, 2013
There's a decent number of Packers fans in Chicago because Chicago is close to Wisconsin and people from Wisconsin move there and the 14th Amendment means that they can't be kicked out like they deserve.
"The best argument against enfranchisement is a five-minute conversation with the average cheesehead." -- Winston Churchill
posted by Etrigan at 12:02 PM on January 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
"The best argument against enfranchisement is a five-minute conversation with the average cheesehead." -- Winston Churchill
posted by Etrigan at 12:02 PM on January 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
"Other friendships appear to be driven by geographical proximity, such as with the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders, while other friendships bridge division rivalries, such as the large number of friendships between Bears and Packers fans."
I know Facebook is based in an outlying fringe of the country, but they do know that Chicago is only 60 miles away from Wisconsin, right?
posted by escabeche at 12:06 PM on January 30, 2013
I know Facebook is based in an outlying fringe of the country, but they do know that Chicago is only 60 miles away from Wisconsin, right?
posted by escabeche at 12:06 PM on January 30, 2013
Joey Michaels: If I am reading this right, there are a ton of Steelers fans in Hawaii. Where are all you people?
Not necessarily. Just slightly more Steelers fans than any other single team. And their fandom is only measured by a Facebook "Like", so maybe not very serious fans.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:06 PM on January 30, 2013
Not necessarily. Just slightly more Steelers fans than any other single team. And their fandom is only measured by a Facebook "Like", so maybe not very serious fans.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:06 PM on January 30, 2013
Randy Moss (SF) has just proclaimed himself the greatest receiver ever. (cough Jerry Rice cough)
Not only is he not the greatest receiver ever on the 49ers, he isn't the greatest receiver ever on the Vikings (cough Cris Carter should be in the Hall of Fame already cough)
All I can say is this Vikings fan is glad the hockey season decided to start.
Gosh, if you were a true Vikings fan you'd have been excited about their going 10-6 and making the playoffs this season after going 3-13 last season. The team had a great crop of draft picks and 2nd-season starters, Leslie Frazier's doing a good job coaching, and Christian Ponder is elevating his game into mediocrity. I'm looking forward to next season!
posted by kirkaracha at 1:34 PM on January 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Notice on the map how all of Tennessee is Titans territory except for the extreme southwestern tip. That's Shelby County, where Memphis is located. The Titans were located in Memphis for one season after they left Houston while the Titans stadium in Nashville was being finished. They sucked, and everyone in the city knew that we were being used by Nashville, and the games ended up being only sparsely attended. It looks like that sentiment still hasn't worn off.
posted by vibrotronica at 2:14 PM on January 30, 2013
posted by vibrotronica at 2:14 PM on January 30, 2013
I know Facebook is based in an outlying fringe of the country, but they do know that Chicago is only 60 miles away from Wisconsin, right?
From Palo Alto to the Nevada border is about a four-hour drive. In other words, around here "out-of-state" means "far". (I'm guessing there are places in Texas where the drive to the nearest point out of state is longer, but maybe not because Texas is so damn nonconvex...)
When I moved to Oakland one thing I noticed is that there are very few out-of-state license plates. I grew up in Philadelphia, which is on a state border, so this was strange.
posted by madcaptenor at 2:18 PM on January 30, 2013
From Palo Alto to the Nevada border is about a four-hour drive. In other words, around here "out-of-state" means "far". (I'm guessing there are places in Texas where the drive to the nearest point out of state is longer, but maybe not because Texas is so damn nonconvex...)
When I moved to Oakland one thing I noticed is that there are very few out-of-state license plates. I grew up in Philadelphia, which is on a state border, so this was strange.
posted by madcaptenor at 2:18 PM on January 30, 2013
Gosh, if you were a true Vikings fan...
Uh, I think you missed my point there. The hockey season started *after* the Vikings lost in the playoffs. So, no more Vikings games to watch means I'm thankful there's hockey to watch. In other words, my interest in football is done now that the Vikings are done playing it this season.
posted by jillithd at 2:53 PM on January 30, 2013
Uh, I think you missed my point there. The hockey season started *after* the Vikings lost in the playoffs. So, no more Vikings games to watch means I'm thankful there's hockey to watch. In other words, my interest in football is done now that the Vikings are done playing it this season.
posted by jillithd at 2:53 PM on January 30, 2013
"...means I'm thankful there's hockey to watch."
Bay Area Fans are doubly lucky in this regard. The Niners are in the Superbowl and the Sharks are 6-0. Boom.
posted by Roger_Mexico at 7:12 PM on January 30, 2013
Bay Area Fans are doubly lucky in this regard. The Niners are in the Superbowl and the Sharks are 6-0. Boom.
posted by Roger_Mexico at 7:12 PM on January 30, 2013
Hence, the North Slope is yellow.
Looks like the guy in Denali unfriends everything, drops out of Facebook and unplugs the old Pentium 90 when his team misses the playoffs. Time to build a snow cave and wait out the winter.
posted by relish at 7:20 PM on January 30, 2013
Looks like the guy in Denali unfriends everything, drops out of Facebook and unplugs the old Pentium 90 when his team misses the playoffs. Time to build a snow cave and wait out the winter.
posted by relish at 7:20 PM on January 30, 2013
Uh, I think you missed my point there. The hockey season started *after* the Vikings lost in the playoffs.
I'm sorry. I misunderstood.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:23 PM on January 31, 2013
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posted by letourneau at 7:36 AM on January 30, 2013 [2 favorites]