America's Most Popular Sports: A Comprehensive Guide
By: Karolina Cetkauskaite, Guest Contributor
February 22, 2023
It's no secret that sports are a huge part of American culture. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just casually interested, chances are you have an opinion on which sports, and perhaps sports teams, are the most fun to watch. From football to baseball there are plenty of sports in the U.S. to choose from—but which one is the most popular?
Here, we’ll break down the five most popular sports in the US and sprinkle in some stats on viewing figures and revenue. As well as that, we'll touch on each sport's best teams and best players. So, without further ado, let’s get the ball rolling. Or should we say puck?
Ice Hockey
NHL Hockey ranks fourth among America's most popular sports according to Nielsen ratings, but the sport continues to draw large crowds wherever it is played. During Game Six of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars, over 8 million viewers tuned in worldwide, making it one of NBC Sports' highest-rated telecasts ever.
The Lightning picked up the Stanley Cup that year following a 4-2 series victory, and they would retain the trophy again in 2021. Last season, they attempted to make it a threepeat. However, they were downed by the Colorado Avalanche and this season, Bovada, which accepts NHL bets and futures, doesn't consider them as one of the favorites. Instead, that honor goes to the Boston Bruins, who are currently atop the overall standings with 42 wins and just 13 defeats.
Great dynasties such as Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers or Mario Lemieux's Pittsburgh Penguins have stood out throughout history as some of hockey's greatest teams, while current superstars like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin keep fans coming back every season with their incredible talent on the ice.
Football
The NFL is by far the most popular sports league in the United States. According to recent studies, over 113 million people tuned in to watch Super Bowl LVII alone. The Big Game was won by the Kansas City Chiefs, with kicker Harrison Butker scoring a last-gasp field goal to secure the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in four years.
As for team rankings, it’s hard to top Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs. They have reached the Conference Championship in each of the last five seasons, reaching the Super Bowl three times, and lifting the Lombardi Trophy twice. They do have competition in the AFC however, with both the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills gunning for first Super Bowl victories in franchise history.
Other legendary teams include the New England Patriots, who held the league hostage throughout the 2000s courtesy of the brilliance of Tom Brady. The Boston-based outfit has racked up six Super Bowls since the turn of the millennium, more than any other team. They lifted the Lombardi three times in four seasons between 2001 and 2004, before winning another three in five seasons between 2014 and 2018.
Baseball
Despite its declining popularity in recent years, baseball remains one of America's favorite pastimes. According to Forbes Magazine, Major League Baseball generated $10 billion in revenue last season alone. Viewership numbers reached over 12 million people stateside during Game Seven of the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, a series which the Astros won by four games to two.
When it comes to top teams throughout history, fans can't go wrong with perennial heavyweights like New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox. That pair has one of the most iconic rivalries in American sporting history, and fireworks are guaranteed every time the two teams meet.
Legendary hitters like Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter have also made their mark on history while modern stars like Aaron Judge - who was named MVP in 2022 - continue to inspire fans today with their awe-inspiring performances each year.
Basketball
Over 28 million people watched when LeBron James led his Los Angeles Lakers team to victory against Jimmy Butler's Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals. King James hasn't tasted championship success since, and he doesn't look to be on course for any this term either.
The Lakers have been enduring a difficult time during this 2022-2023 season. They are languishing way down the standings in the Western Conference, and they will have their work cut out if they are to make the post-season playoffs. Despite that, Lebron continues to rack up personal achievements, and he recently overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the highest points scorer in the history of the NBA.
NBA viewership has been steadily rising, both Stateside and overseas. The popularity of the sport is replicated by players such as Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić—the reigning MVP for two years running. Those three are all from the Balkans - namely Slovenia, Greece, and Serbia - and basketball continues to develop into a truly global game.
As for iconic franchises that have dominated throughout history, Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls remain one of basketball's most beloved teams, and his sides’ iconic Last Dance campaign in the late 90s has been brilliantly documented by Netflix.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sports are an integral part of American culture, and this article has shed light on the five most popular sports in the US: football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, and soccer. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just a casual viewer, there's no denying the impact that these sports have had on American society, both past and present.