College sports is more popular among US sports fans than it is anywhere else in the world, with viewers tuning in from all over the country to watch starlets fight for the right to play professionally. Compared to the NFL, NBA, MLB, and other top-flight franchise sports, revenue is significantly lower, but viewing figures are right up there. Why is that? It’s a question for which many major league owners are desperate for an answer. The big guns rely on a constant influx of cash to maintain their stature as the wealthiest sports teams in the country and the world, but if college sports can compete for viewers, what are they doing wrong?
Let’s look back at 2019’s statistics. Pre-COVID, college football garnered majorly impressive TV viewing figures and was second only to the NFL as the nation’s most popular sport. In a Gallup Poll observed in 2018, 56% of voters said they would call themselves college football fans – more than pro basketball, hockey, baseball, and soccer. Therefore, the likelihood of fans searching for the best betting odds on football is quite high. Check out the reviews of betting sites, such as this BetMGM review, to find the sites offering the most attractive odds.
One year before, 47 million fans attended college football games, along with 163 million viewers from home. Post-season bowl games were watched by around 90 million, and regular-season matchups saw an average of a little over 1.8 million viewers per game. Of course, this is boosted by the commitment shown by TV companies like Fox Sports and ESPN towards college sports. But the fact of the matter is that these entities likely feel they are obliged to show these college-level events, due to the huge demand.
Fans want passion, not more money
College football makes significantly less money compared to the NFL, but the audience numbers are roughly comparable. By taking a look at the two versions of the same sport on paper, you’ll see something incredibly telling; college sports, in particular football, are built on passion and togetherness, whereas professional sports are built on profits. Does a fan care if their team rakes in a few million more than their rivals in the NFL? Not really. But that’s what matters to owners, and fans aren’t blind to it.
Even EA has jumped on the college football train by announcing plans for a new video game based on the sport. Not only will this entice an audience of those already interested in college sports, but also those who never indulged in or experienced the highs and lows of college football.
Perhaps the most popular reason for watching college sports over pro-level sports is the unpredictability of it all. The quality is quite simply lower than it is at pro teams, leading to more mistakes, excitement, and in a way, fans can relate to college sport more than professional sport. A college athlete will go home miserable after losing a big game to one of their rivals, knowing this will impact their chances of going on to greater things. Professional athletes get another chance, another paycheck, and the comfort of a contract.
Affordability also comes into the fray. Watching your favorite NFL, NBA or MLB sports teams can cost anywhere up to $300 or more per year. While this benefits the franchise, it doesn’t have any positive impact on the viewer. Fans can just tune in to college sports whenever they want, for the most part. The passion will be the same – if not more – and the viewers’ bank balance will thank them.
College sports fans feel part of something
By attending a college sports event you’re engaging in the local community and joining in on something that means so much to so many. You’ll find marching bands, student sections, and greater intimacy with the players. The energy at such events is usually electric, with friends and family in and amongst the crowd, cheering on loved ones. The chances of running into a drunk dude who wants to be your best friend are also minimal.
MLB fans, in particular, often complain that the sport is overly focused on those in charge of finances and not the roster. This isn’t an issue for college baseball as the sole focus is on the players, with the guys funding the whole thing taking a back seat compared to the professional-level counterparts.
College basketball is simply more accessible. Shorter games make room for those tight on time or impatiently awaiting more action, while relaxed rules allow for more players to take part in any given game. The three-point line is closer than it is in pro-games, more time-outs are available for teams, and results, like college football, are far less predictable. Due to the nature of the league format, you’ll rarely encounter an all-conquering side, which, if you’re an NBA fan, might be a fresh set of circumstances that you desperately need.
College sports can just be more fun. The best way to play is always fluctuating, rivalries become more intense with each passing year, and supporters get to feel like their voice makes a difference. Make no mistake, collegiate sports are inclusive, new-fan friendly, and present a whole host of potential occurrences that just aren’t possible at professional games. Every day a college kid plays the sport they love it could well be their last outing. That’s not to say it isn’t the case for pro players, but the funding for their wellbeing far surpasses that of college athletes. Fans can relate to the struggle of a college player; they can’t truly relate to the multi-millionaire returning home to their mansion after a disappointing performance. The difference this makes is, for some people, key as to why they love college sports.
Opportunities at professional-level sports are slim, and college players may not realize it at the time, but their days playing as an amateur could well be their fondest memories. In the end, that’s what sport is all about, right? Creating memories.