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  • November 03, 2009 12:40 PM ET

Best fans of any sport

Ivellious and Valai (4-9-0) vs ~Peach~-Burke is nice,nice (567-945-227)
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Rules: Pick one sport(not one team), and the state/city that you think have the most dedicated fans in the US.
For example: "Texas football fans are the best" or something.

I'll go with Minnesota ice hockey fans. There are, in my opinion, no more dedicated and involved fans of any sport out there at all levels, from 5-year-old games through the pros.

Youth hockey in Minnesota is huge, and not only are the players dedicated, but everyone involved, too. This is hard to prove, though, so I'll move on.

In high school, hockey is easily the most popular sport in the state, drawing in more fans than any other sport in the state, especially during the playoff tournaments. In fact, the Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament regularly beats the Florida football, Texas football, and Indiana Basketball high school tournaments in terms of attendence and viewership (it is the largest high school sports tournament in the country).

Minnesota has 4 teams competing at the highest level of college hockey, and those teams regularly compete at a high, if not powerhouse, level. While it should be obvious, fan support for all these teams is also very high every year.
Will get to pro later


Florida .. Football..

Like Texas it is HIGH w/ recruits.. reasons why... it's one of the biggest states in the country..


I know you said don't name a TEAM but i will name TEAM"S"

FSU
the U
Florida
USF
UCF


Also, the nfl has Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Miami.. all in FLORIDA..


o...k...but I thought I was clear this was about the fans? I understand that there are a bunch of teams, but just having them means nothing. I mean, based on your argument, California would be a better choice, they have a ton of teams, way more than any other state.

Sure, Florida and FSU and Miami all have strong fan bases, but how about USF and UCF? No where close to the dedication Minnesota hockey fans show year after year.

Also, Minnesota has smaller population than Florida, but puts out more hockey players than any other state. By a huge margin. Neat fact: 12 of the 20 players on the U.S. "Miracle on Ice" team were from Minnesota (11 of them played college hockey in-state).

Anyway, continuing from before...the Minnesota Wild, my best example of fan support, became a team in 2000...and have sold out EVERY home game in the team's existance, even during the years where the team has sucked terribly. No professional team in Florida can come close to that record. Hell, no other pro hockey team can...


Sure, Florida and FSU and Miami all have strong fan bases, but how about USF and UCF? No where close to the dedication Minnesota hockey fans show year after year.

Ivellious and Valai said 11/03, 01:02 PM

I wouldn't discredit USF .. this team has put it on in the last couple years.. The fan base is THERE in Tampa..

USF also has been ranked since 2006 in the top 25.. not the whole year but enough to get the word out that this team is a threat in Florida which was prevalent in the FsU beat down this year..


As a whole Florida's FOOTBALL is up there with Minnesota's hockey.. Football is BIG in FL.. you cant go too far in the state without bypassing a TEAM..

Florida has Dan Marino and one of the best coaches ever in Bobby bowden..

Lets not even get started on the Dolphins.. Shula.. undefeated season..
so on.

Florida last weekend had "the world's largest cocktail party" in Jacksonville .. hints why i have a dress on my avatar.. My team UGA LOST>


OK, I'll keep this short and simple...this is NOT about how good your teams are year after year...it is about the fans and fan support. Since you obviously didn't catch that in the title or my first argument, I guess I have nothing to say. I never dissed how good your florida teams are, nor have I repeatedly mentioned how good Minnesota hockey teams are. Next time, know what the hell a TD is about before you start arguing.


Forfeited Turn

Comments (50) Add A Comment

November 3, 2009  12:45 PM ET
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Hockey in Minn. is a good choice, however since football is the official state religion of Texas, I'd have to think that factors into the debate.

November 3, 2009  12:47 PM ET
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QUOTE(#1):
Originally posted 12:45 PM ET  11.03 by smart alec

Hockey in Minn. is a good choice, however since football is the official state religion of Texas, I'd have to think that factors into the debate.

Well, Minn. is the State of Hockey...no other state can match it there. I thought about it, but I know that Florida and other states are also huge on football above all else, so I went with Minnesota.

November 3, 2009  12:47 PM ET
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damn you peach!

November 3, 2009  12:47 PM ET
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i had a good one too, oh well have fun

November 3, 2009  12:51 PM ET
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QUOTE(#4):
Originally posted 12:47 PM ET  11.03 by Beefskins:NoYard=NoRake

i had a good one too, oh well have fun

What did you have?

November 3, 2009  12:55 PM ET
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Of course Minnesota loves Hockey, it's frickin cold and there is ice everywhere... what else are they supposed to do?

November 3, 2009  12:55 PM ET
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QUOTE(#4):
Originally posted 12:47 PM ET  11.03 by Beefskins:NoYard=NoRake

i had a good one too, oh well have fun

I WILL

November 3, 2009  12:59 PM ET
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Yea but those Florida football teams are known everywhere, here in Illinois everyone likes the Florida Gators...So imagine their fans!

November 3, 2009  01:04 PM ET
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Ever been to an NHL game in Florida, Arizona, Georgia, etc., when the Wild are in town? Half the fans (or more) are Wild fans. No kidding.

November 3, 2009  01:04 PM ET
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QUOTE(#6):
Originally posted 12:55 PM ET  11.03 by FootballGuru

Of course Minnesota loves Hockey, it's frickin cold and there is ice everywhere... what else are they supposed to do?

ignorance is bliss, eh?

November 3, 2009  01:07 PM ET
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QUOTE(#6):
Originally posted 12:55 PM ET  11.03 by FootballGuru

Of course Minnesota loves Hockey, it's frickin cold and there is ice everywhere... what else are they supposed to do?

Come to Minny in the summer, it reaches 100 degrees regularly...

November 3, 2009  01:54 PM ET
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Steelers fans. Period.

Even when they are on the road, just about half the stadium is filled with Steeler fans.

November 3, 2009  02:00 PM ET
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Florida football isn't the best choice. Texas football or Indiana basketball are the only ones that can really challenge Minnesota hockey.

November 3, 2009  02:28 PM ET
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Was I not clear enough about what I was getting at for this TD? Sheesh...

November 3, 2009  02:44 PM ET
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QUOTE(#12):
Originally posted 01:54 PM ET  11.03 by ICS is Heroin Bob

Steelers fans. Period.Even when they are on the road, just about half the stadium is filled with Steeler fans.

Same can be said for Packer and Philly fans. Both travel very well.

November 3, 2009  03:20 PM ET
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QUOTE(#7):
Originally posted 12:55 PM ET  11.03 by ~Peach~-Burke is nice,nice

I WILL

i had a MUCH better one.

November 3, 2009  06:15 PM ET
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not trying to knock left, but how is FLA supposed to really play hockey all the time, I know with arenas and stuff but it isn't like in Minnesota where you can just go out back on the pond lol for those who get the inside joke on that one

November 3, 2009  06:24 PM ET
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Either Red Sox fans or steelers.

November 3, 2009  06:27 PM ET
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I wish you would have said North America since Hockey is from Canada. In Toronto, you can't wear a Canadiens jersey on gameday because you'll get a "Disturbing the Peace" ticket... At least that's what Peter McNab said last year.

 
November 3, 2009  06:27 PM ET
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Alaskan dog sled fans.

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