Wednesday, March 25, 2009

ESPN: Ten most popular American sports teams

DANA POINT, Calif. -- In a fortuitous bit of corporate synergy, the NFL and ESPN Sports Poll collaborated on a study to determine the nation's most popular individual pro sports franchises.

Owners and team executives viewed the results of the poll this week during their opening gathering at the St. Regis Hotel. NFL teams captured six of the top 10 spots in the poll, including the Black and Blue's own Green Bay Packers at No. 2.

By one measure, the poll means that in 2008, the Packers had the second-highest percentage of supporters among all U.S. pro sports franchises.

"We're a very recognizable brand and I think we still have a national following," Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy said. Here's the full list for 2008:

1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. New England Patriots
5. New York Yankees
6. Los Angeles Lakers
7. Indianapolis Colts
8. Boston Red Sox
9. New York Giants
10. Atlanta Braves