If you’ve said “DON’T CARE!” in reference to the 2011 World Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals, you’re far from alone.
Poll Position (it’s a survey company, not anything affiliated with strippers) conducted a national scientific telephone survey of 1,110 registered voters.
They simply asked the respondents are you interested in the 2011 World Series?
Of those polled, 55% said no, 36% said yes with 10% not having an opinion (which is another way of saying no). So I think we can drop that whole “national past time” nonsense; if only slightly more than a third of our nation actually cares.
Don’t get me wrong, I know all about the three kinds of lies: “lies, damn lies and statistics,” but there’s more.
The Fall Classic is not faring well along racial lines. Among whites, 57% said they have no interest in the World Series, 35% said they do have interest and 8% had no opinion. African-Americans weighed in with 54% saying they are not interested to 32% who are. Fourteen percent had no opinion (which again is an answer of “WHO CARES?!”). This kind of shoots down my theory that baseball is a “white sport,” because the only people I know who like it are the WHITEST people I know. But it only verifies what I wrote on the last day of the Major League Baseball season, that the league is losing us in droves.
Why? Go here for that.
Here’s more evidence. CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell tweeted this on Saturday:
POLL RESULTS: What are you watching tonight? 45.8% college football, 29% World Series, 25.2% Other
As for World Series versus NFL comparison, Rovell tweeted this today:
The World Series (10.1 overnight rating) did beat SNF (8.2 overnight rating), but it was the lowest rated Game 4 ever.
Bear in mind, that it was competing against a game that was so horrific it produced this final score: New Orleans Saints 62, Indianapolis Colts 7. Go here for a synopsis.
Back to the poll, men said they’re not interested by a 50% to 44% margin. Women really showed no interest with 59% saying no to 27% saying they are interested. Would be interested to see how Cubs fans stack up in this poll, since (and these results are anything but scientific) 70% of male Cub fans are not baseball fans, and 85% of female Cub fans are not baseball fans.
The online companion poll in which you can vote and comment provides unscientific results, but it’s a chance for your voice to be heard. Go cast your vote here.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site that generates millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio shows all across the world. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.