According to the recent poll compiled by Brand Keys Inc., the Philadelphia Phillies are the top-ranked MLB team when it comes to fan loyalty. The Phillies surpassed the Yankees and the Red Sox for the coveted No. 1 spot.
What’s likely even more infuriating for Red Sox fans is the fact that the Yankees come in at No. 2 in the rankings. The Red Sox had been at the top of the list for the past two seasons.
Even though the Red Sox’ stock has dropped a bit in fan loyalty, the Patriots are still riding high in the NFL. New England ranks first among the 32 NFL teams, even after the team’s frustrating finish to the 2010 season.
Brand Keys Inc. surveyed 250 fans in each team’s market and assessed the data based on factors such as on-field success, fan bonding with players, and franchise history and tradition in each team’s market to determine the most fan loyal teams. Teamwork and club effort also had an effect on the poll results. The New York-based company surveyed fans from all four professional leagues one week after Super Bowl XLV.
Despite dropping in the MLB rankings, Boston teams should have no complaints, since all four teams made the top five rankings in each professional league. The Celtics came in at No. 4 on the list of NBA teams, ranking behind the Spurs, Lakers and Mavericks. The Bruins finished fifth among the 30 teams in the NHL, a list led by the Red Wings and the Flyers.
New England teams, however, were the only ones to appear in the top five for all four professional leagues. Check out all the Sports Loyalty Index results below.
Major League Baseball
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. New York Yankees
3. Boston Red Sox
4. San Francisco Giants
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
National Football League
1. New England Patriots
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Green Bay Packers
5. New York Jets
National Basketball Association
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Boston Celtics
5. Phoenix Suns
National Hockey League
1. Detroit Red Wings
2. Philadelphia Flyers
3. San Jose Sharks
4. Vancouver Canucks
5. Boston Bruins
