FiveThirtyEight: Cowboys NFL's most hated team

[Shake_Tiller]

The article itself suggests only that the Cowboys are the most hated as well as the second most popular NFL franchise. While it speaks of "hate-watching" in its introduction, it never establishes a link between being hated and drawing TV ratings. Nor does anything in the data it presents suggest such a link.

Is "hate-watching" even a real phenomenon? I hate the Eagles but I certainly don't go out of my way to watch them when they're not playing the Cowboys. I'll default to the Eagles game only if there isn't a match-up between two more competitive teams that I'd rather watch.

Biased as a Cowboys fan, but I distrust any poll that finds another more popular team. I don't think many people say to themselves, "Gosh I'd like to spend Sunday at a park, but the Cowboys are on and I want to revel in my hatred."

I think the Cowboys draw huge TV ratings mainly because there are a lot of Cowboys fans.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Just look at Trolling the Nation or whatever it's called. People who hate the Cowboys love to watch the Cowboys.

This provides some evidence, I guess. I suspect there's some distortion, however, since the Cowboys play in an unusually high (relative to any other team) number of (I) prime-time games and (ii) national games on FOX. If you're a Cowboys fan (and not an NFL fan) you really don't even need Sunday Ticket. You'll catch somewhere between 12-14 of the Cowboys games on national telecasts.

A big reason the Cowboys get those national slots is because so many people love them and go out of their way to watch them. It may also be that a bunch of people go out of their way to watch the Cowboys because they hate them. On the other hand, it could just be that the Cowboys are hated and, independently, lots of people who hate the Cowboys watch their games because they are NFL fans and the Cowboys are ALWAYS featured in the national game (because they have so many fans). In fact, there's a good chance that Cowboys hatred, contrary to being a cause of the amount of exposure they get, is CAUSED by the amount of exposure they get.

The number of negative comments towards the Cowboys on Trolling the Nation is consistent with either causal relationship.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Biased as a Cowboys fan, but I distrust any poll that finds another more popular team. I don't think many people say to themselves, "Gosh I'd like to spend Sunday at a park, but the Cowboys are on and I want to revel in my hatred."

I think the Cowboys draw huge TV ratings mainly because there are a lot of Cowboys fans.

I think your explanation is more likely to be correct.

 

[Pants]

Is "hate-watching" even a real phenomenon? I hate the Eagles but I certainly don't go out of my way to watch them when they're not playing the Cowboys. I'll default to the Eagles game only if there isn't a match-up between two more competitive teams that I'd rather watch.

amen....although, I DO keep an eye on the scores of all other NFCE teams, hoping to see all of them behind in the score....by a lot....when they play each other, like last weekend, I check in to see how bad the QB play is....gotta have priorities

 

[JW82]

Trends closely and reflects with current levels of patriotism (joking?)

Lol. Was going to say something similar. Love to see people's face when they ask me why I am a Cowboys fan living in NJ and I reply "what can I say, I love America!"

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Love, hate, love, hate, love, hate. Nah, haters just tune into the Cowboys to check out all the blonde Cowboy cheerleaders.

 

[popp1234]

goood goooood

Lol, the "evil bug" on a Family Guy episode comes to mind.

 

[wrongway]

ah I love all the hate and especially knowing both the skins and eagles hate the cowboys the most. just means we are in their heads. all the time.

Yup, rent free 24/7.

 

[TheCount]

 

[jazzcat22]

Some of the haters really aren't haters. They tune in to watch a team hoping they beat us because it helps their team. But also many tune in hoping we lose because we are the most popular team, but some are haters some just want us to lose.

I tune in to Steelers games because I hate them, and want them to lose. Unless it helps us in some way. I do not like the Patriots, but won't say I am a hater, but I will tune to hoping they lose. same for GB.
I am not a Ravens fan, nor do I hate them, but I want them lose, except when it comes to playing the Steelers and Patriots. But I will not tune in to watch them unless it is the only game on.

So much is based on the fans of other teams, though we just have many more tuning in for whatever reasons.
As there are some tuning in for us to win, though not a fan, as we can beat a team to help their team.

 

[jackal1969]

Green Bay is popular but I question the stat saying they're the favorite team of 23% to 19% for Dallas. I believe the Cowboys have more fans and more haters than any team.

23% of people listed Green Bay as 1 of there top 3 teams..... That is the only way they can get it to come out anyway other than Dallas Cowboys NO 1.

 

[eyedoc]

Interesting article on FiveThirtyEight that provides an interesting proof-point on why the Cowboys are the most watched, most followed, America's team, etc team in the NFL.

While the Cowboys are ranked, surprisingly, as the #2 team (19.1% of all dans) by fans as their 'Favorite Team', they are also ranked #1 (30.7%) by fans as their 'Least Favorite Team'.

Basically 49.8% (half!) of all NFL fans are willing to take the time to watch the Cowboys win OR loose when they play.

Amazing!

Article Link: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/who-hates-the-patriots-the-most/

I give Jerry a lot of credit for keeping our Cowboys relevant even though we have not been a super bowl champ since 1995. That's a lot of years with very little playoff success. Go Cowboys

 

[ChronicCowboy]

Green Bay? That's a skewed poll.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

 

[ShortRound]

 

[Zordon]

Just like the old times.

 

[BAT]

Love, hate, love, hate, love, hate. Nah, haters just tune into the Cowboys to check out all the blonde Cowboy cheerleaders.

I like the brunettes and redheads too.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

I like the brunettes and redheads too.

You guys are looking at their hair?

 

[BigStar]

23% of people listed Green Bay as 1 of there top 3 teams..... That is the only way they can get it to come out anyway other than Dallas Cowboys NO 1.

Agreed. Top 3 teams? People generally have a favorite team and then think of 2 teams they can stand to watch; hardly the same thing. Close ended questions can give you whatever you want, etc.

 

[mooseq]

I am firm believer in the more "haters" you have the better you're doing. If we aren't above 30.7% next year then we aren't doing something right!