Survey respondents were asked about their interest in sports and their personal participation in athletics. Among all respondents, 49% said they were very or moderately interested in professional sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NHL, soccer, auto racing, golf, tennis, others), compared with 39% who said they were similarly interested in the Summer and Winter Olympics, 29% who said they are very/moderately interested in college sports and 28% who said they are interested in other competitive sports (Combat sports (boxing, MMA, wrestling), track & field, figure skating, gymnastics, motocross, rodeo, others).

Chart: Public interest is highest in proessional sports, followed by Olympics, competitive sports and college sports

Among those interested in college sports, 92% said they are fans of football, 74% said they are fans of men’s basketball and 47% said they are fans of women’s basketball. Other college sports mentioned, in order of frequency, were: baseball, soccer, track & field, gymnastics, softball, hockey, tennis, volleyball, swimming, lacrosse, wrestling and golf.

Respondents were asked how increases in athlete transfers and the financial compensation of athletes have impacted their interest in college football and basketball, and their interest in collegiate Olympic sports. Among all respondents, the largest percentages said the changes have had little or no impact on their level of interest.

Among survey respondents, 14% said they or a family member had competed in college athletics and 36% said they had competed in high school athletics.

(*See methodology page for comparison group sizes)

Text-only screen reader version of all charts in this report.