The most popular US team in the world

[campaignist]

I'm really surprised there are no MLB teams at all. I noticed Japan and Cuba aren't the list, I'd think there's a good chance you'd see the Yankees or another baseball team there.

[Duke4life831]

Not surprising that the NFL is not that popular overseas. Violence and committee meetings don't appeal to more rational countries.

Haha seriously F this post.

Ya instead of the far more reasonable explanation like accessibility (LivingLegend nailed it perfectly with his post). Lets just go with a dumb pointless shot at an entire country and the people who live there.

And ya before anyone says anything, yes F any other post that takes a shot at any other countries and not just taking a shot at a government of another country, but calling the people of that country irrational.

[BoatsNZones]

I'm really surprised there are no MLB teams at all. I noticed Japan and Cuba aren't the list at all, I'd think there's a good chance you'd see the Yankees or another baseball team there.

Japan is on there and it is indeed MLB - but not the team you would think. It is somehow the Washington Nationals, who I don't think had a Japanese player on their roster (Kurt Suzuki is American) when they won in 2019, and that is the only reason I could come up with that they would have garnered mass searches (I could be missing something).

In general I think this is a silly conclusion to jump to by the site in saying that keyword searches online = popularity of a fanbase overall. But the NBA is indeed the most global sport that the USA dominates, and the Warriors would make sense as being among the most popular in the world given Curry and their run of dominance there. But I agree with some previous posters that when you go oversees, it's often still Bulls paraphernalia that you see; which is the remanence of Jordan ultimately.

[KnIcKsYaNkSmEtS1127]

"We’ve analyzed Google search volume data " without even stating the time they're searching for.

It's not measuring popularity or who's team is the favorite. Just who has most recently had reasons to be searched for.

That's what's causing the obvious disconnect from reality of calling the teams the OP is saying are the most popular teams. It's just ignoring how the data is gathered and misusing it to draw that conclusion.

This 100%. Notice the Bucks are up there, no coincidence they are a top searched team they just won the finals. Plus as you mentioned when was this research done? Right before the start of the NBA season? I would think if it was done the week of the Super Bowl we’d have much different results. I would think the Lakers, Yankees and Cowboys or Patriots would be the most liked teams. Why not look at jersey sales by country? Or tv/streaming in those countries? Google search is such a skewed metric.

Giannis is hugely popular in Europe. His signature shoe release was massive. The five countries that listed the Bucks are all European.

I completely get that but remember this wasn’t googling Giannis or his shoe it was the actual team. When the new Curry’s drop you don’t google the Warriors to see his new shoes. I just find this article really poorly executed. Give me jersey sales, team apparel, streaming numbers, etc. that’s what shows me a favorite team.

[Jersey Generals]

I'm really surprised there are no MLB teams at all. I noticed Japan and Cuba aren't the list at all, I'd think there's a good chance you'd see the Yankees or another baseball team there.

There are. Japan is the Nationals, South Korea the Blue Jays, Panama the Yankees, Puerto Rico the Braves, and Nicaragua is the Red Sox. Cuba isn't listed.

[campaignist]

I'm really surprised there are no MLB teams at all. I noticed Japan and Cuba aren't the list at all, I'd think there's a good chance you'd see the Yankees or another baseball team there.

Japan is on there and it is indeed MLB - but not the team you would think.

I have no idea how I missed that, Ctrl F...betrayed me?

[UcanUwill]

I tried watching rugby (football) once.

What?

You might be surprised to know many people dont know the difference between Rugby and American Football.

[BoatsNZones]

I'm really surprised there are no MLB teams at all. I noticed Japan and Cuba aren't the list at all, I'd think there's a good chance you'd see the Yankees or another baseball team there.

Japan is on there and it is indeed MLB - but not the team you would think.

I have no idea how I missed that, Ctrl F...betrayed me?

Hah yeah they're photos - so no Ctr F this time.

[Doctor MJ]

Not surprising that the NFL is not that popular overseas. Violence and committee meetings don't appeal to more rational countries.

or....instead of it being political....its because basketball is far more accessible for other countries than football is.

Why do you think soccer is the most popular worldwide sport? Its not because its the best sport, its because its one sport that requires next to no equipment to play and is not dictated by player count.

People from every country no matter how big, small, rich or poor can play soccer as long as they have something resembling a ball. Thats all you need to play.

Accessibility = popularity.

Football is probably the least accessible sport out there because of the amount of people it requires to play and expensive equipment it takes.

Its also why winter sports like skiing/snowboarding are not hugely popular even among Americans. It requires a lot of equipment, its expensive as hell and it requires the correct geography. Less accessible = less popular. You can lump golf into that equation as well.

So chiming in on this:

I think it's important to note that the American version of football, Gridiron Football, is largely just what happened to football in the US (and Canada). It's so different from Association Football, aka Soccer, that both sports can thrive alongside each other in theory, but as these sports were emerging to mass media prominence, there was only so much "oxygen" in the room, and as such we wouldn't expect both Gridiron Football and Association Football to have strong roots in the same place.

I want to piggy back on your point about the "accessibility" of sports because I think it's important. Association Football is basically perfect for any non-urban environment. You really just need a field and something you can kick.

On the urban side of things, basketball is a perfect sport if you have a little bit of civic planning. Compact, can be played indoor or outdoor, and the main piece of equipment is so high off the ground that you can do other things with the space when basketball isn't being played without even needing to change things.

Gridiron Football on the other hand is what you get when you take football and let elite colleges with a military fetish take over. The idea of a "first down" is not coincidentally analogous to "take that next hill". It's somewhat amazing to me as a result of this that Gridiron Football is as popular to this day in the US as it is. Tradition is a big part of this, but so is the structure of the game with so many breaks and such a clear schedule to plan for. I'd imagine all countries have the potential for something to be an excuse for watch parties, but that there's no way that Gridiron Football can really take hold the same way in countries where it isn't already established, so it remains strong in the US, but likely forever trapped on a tier below the truly global games which will continue to gain in their revenue-generation ability as their countries continue to catch-up to the US at this sort of consumer spending.

[Doctor MJ]

I tried watching rugby (football) once.

What?

You might be surprised to know many people dont know the difference between Rugby and American Football.

Pretty amazing honestly the way football has diverged. Major types I'm aware of:

Association Football, aka Soccer
Rugby Football, aka Rugby
Australian Football
Gaelic Football
American Gridiron Football
Canadian Gridiron Football

To just look at how huge the difference is between Soccer, Rugby & Gridiron is amazing.

[Rendei]

This 100%. Notice the Bucks are up there, no coincidence they are a top searched team they just won the finals. Plus as you mentioned when was this research done? Right before the start of the NBA season? I would think if it was done the week of the Super Bowl we’d have much different results. I would think the Lakers, Yankees and Cowboys or Patriots would be the most liked teams. Why not look at jersey sales by country? Or tv/streaming in those countries? Google search is such a skewed metric.

Giannis is hugely popular in Europe. His signature shoe release was massive. The five countries that listed the Bucks are all European.

I completely get that but remember this wasn’t googling Giannis or his shoe it was the actual team. When the new Curry’s drop you don’t google the Warriors to see his new shoes. I just find this article really poorly executed. Give me jersey sales, team apparel, streaming numbers, etc. that’s what shows me a favorite team.

Why are the Bulls so highly rated? Because many people got into the NBA watching Jordan, and the team he was on was the Bulls. In order to watch Giannis, they have to watch the Bucks. That just winds up being their team.

[trueballer7]

Its been 143 years since MJ retired and the Bulls are still the only US pro sports team brand the rest of the world cares about.

[nomansland]

Hmm, here in Brazil I think the Bulls, Lakers and Patriots are the 3 top teams popularity wise

"We’ve analyzed Google search volume data " without even stating the time they're searching for.

It's not measuring popularity or who's team is the favorite. Just who has most recently had reasons to be searched for.

That's what's causing the obvious disconnect from reality of calling the teams the OP is saying are the most popular teams. It's just ignoring how the data is gathered and misusing it to draw that conclusion.

Yeah I've been living in Spain for 1.5 years and have yet to see a Dallas jersey. Lakers gear is everywhere though, with the occasional Raptors or Warriors jersey. Maybe it's a function of being in Catalonia, where the Gasols are from, but I'd be surprised if there were that many Mavs fans.

Even on TV, when the news does NBA highlights, it's usually of Ricky Rubio, lol.

[Zenzibar]

[The Laker Kid]

I knew I've always liked Algeria.

[Marty McFly]

these change all the time since most people are bandwagoners.

[KrAzY3]

I'd imagine all countries have the potential for something to be an excuse for watch parties, but that there's no way that Gridiron Football can really take hold the same way in countries where it isn't already established, so it remains strong in the US, but likely forever trapped on a tier below the truly global games which will continue to gain in their revenue-generation ability as their countries continue to catch-up to the US at this sort of consumer spending.

American football is actually really well suited for commercials (and important part of funding the sport) and for watching once you understand what you are watching. It doesn't have the lull you get in baseball, where nothing interesting at all might happen for a really long time, but it also doesn't have the you can't really look away for a second aspect you tend to get from some other sports.

There's a play, then time to talk with your friends or grab a bite and then there's another one, so on so forth. The pacing functions fairly well. It also has a live atmosphere unlike any event I've been to, and I've lived in Europe and been to NBA and MLB games, and huge concerts like the Rolling Stones. It's an acquired taste but people who are exposed to it tend to like it a lot. My wife is from Germany, she and friends in Germany now compete in a league to pick winners of the games. She loves the sport, and in fact in Germany NFL Europe saw pretty strong support, 20,000+ people coming out every week to watch American football was not a bad showing at all.

People just have to be exposed to it and that's something that the NFL hasn't really done much for. In fact they shut down the NFL Europe despite pretty good attendance numbers.

[Masigond]

Not surprising that the NFL is not that popular overseas. Violence and committee meetings don't appeal to more rational countries.

or....instead of it being political....its because basketball is far more accessible for other countries than football is.

Why do you think soccer is the most popular worldwide sport? Its not because its the best sport, its because its one sport that requires next to no equipment to play and is not dictated by player count.

People from every country no matter how big, small, rich or poor can play soccer as long as they have something resembling a ball. Thats all you need to play.

Accessibility = popularity.

Football is probably the least accessible sport out there because of the amount of people it requires to play and expensive equipment it takes.

Its also why winter sports like skiing/snowboarding are not hugely popular even among Americans. It requires a lot of equipment, its expensive as hell and it requires the correct geography. Less accessible = less popular. You can lump golf into that equation as well.

A 3rd explanation: (American) Football is boring as hell for the uninformed spectator. Action for a couple of seconds, then the game is paused for too much time as the players retake their positions. Way too many breaks, and if you don't perceive the tactical aspects of the game, there's not much to see. I don't think that a 3 yard rush of a player that you don't know (it would be interesting how many truly know who Tom Brady is) is exciting for any other spectator than a true fan of football.
I fall asleep almost everytime I try to watch the Super Bowl (due in part to being aired here in the middle of the night in Central Europe).

[LAL1947]

https://bookies.com/news/the-most-popular-us-sports-teams-around-the-world

Perhaps unsurprisingly, considering their popularity across most continents, the Golden State Warriors top the charts as most popular US sports team around the world, taking the crown in an astounding 56 countries (more than the next six best-performing teams combined).

The Miami Heat come in second with the vote of 16 countries, while the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks have 12 and 10, respectively. Curiously, the top 10 US sports teams around the world are all from the NBA, with NFL not featured until the Dallas Cowboys in 11th.

No way, no how. The Lakers dwarf any other US sports team globally, at least in terms of recognition and then popularity. This feels like one of those polls where the choice of people being polled should be looked at more carefully before deciding if it is a valid poll or not. I'd be surprised (or even shocked) if GSW comes ahead of the Bulls TBH, in a real poll.

The NFL is not popular globally though, so that last bit about NFL teams isn't surprising at all.

[rockmanslim]

Not surprising that the NFL is not that popular overseas. Violence and committee meetings don't appeal to more rational countries.

What about rugby?

What about calcio storico?