Penguins Rank #3 in Professional Sports in Fan Relations
OWNERSHIP RATED NO. 4 OUT OF 122 PRO TEAMS IN ESPN'S ANNUAL SURVEY
Monday, 07.06.2009 / 11:20 AM
/ News
The Pittsburgh Penguins rank No. 3 out of 122 professional sports teams in fan relations and No. 4 in ownership, according to an annual survey conducted by ESPN The Magazine.
“Fan relations” is described by the ESPN criteria as “Openness and consideration toward fans by players, coaches and management.”
The “ownership” criteria is “Honesty and loyalty to core players and local community.”
ESPN The Magazine’s annual “Ultimate Standings” surveys fans to rate all 122 teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL in eight categories. In addition to fan relations and ownership, they are affordability, stadium experience, players, coaching, title track and bang for the buck.
The Penguins finished No. 8 in the overall standings, up from No. 24 last year.
“We are honored to be selected as one of the premier franchises in sports by fans in ESPN The Magazine’s Ultimate Standings,” team president David Morehouse said. “It is a tribute to all the work done by our ownership, players, coaches and staff, and to the tremendous fan base we have here in Pittsburgh.”
The Penguins also were No. 8 in “Bang for The Buck” (Wins during the past three years per revenues directly from fans, adjusted for league schedules) and No. 9 in “Players” (Effort on the field and likeability off it).
The Penguins’ lowest ranking was No. 103 in “Stadium experience,” no doubt the result of playing in the oldest arena in the NHL. But the new Consol Energy Center is scheduled to open for the 2010-11 NHL season.
“Fan relations” is described by the ESPN criteria as “Openness and consideration toward fans by players, coaches and management.”
The “ownership” criteria is “Honesty and loyalty to core players and local community.”
ESPN The Magazine’s annual “Ultimate Standings” surveys fans to rate all 122 teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL in eight categories. In addition to fan relations and ownership, they are affordability, stadium experience, players, coaching, title track and bang for the buck.
The Penguins finished No. 8 in the overall standings, up from No. 24 last year.
“We are honored to be selected as one of the premier franchises in sports by fans in ESPN The Magazine’s Ultimate Standings,” team president David Morehouse said. “It is a tribute to all the work done by our ownership, players, coaches and staff, and to the tremendous fan base we have here in Pittsburgh.”
The Penguins also were No. 8 in “Bang for The Buck” (Wins during the past three years per revenues directly from fans, adjusted for league schedules) and No. 9 in “Players” (Effort on the field and likeability off it).
The Penguins’ lowest ranking was No. 103 in “Stadium experience,” no doubt the result of playing in the oldest arena in the NHL. But the new Consol Energy Center is scheduled to open for the 2010-11 NHL season.
