Muhlenberg College/Morning Call

Muhlenberg College/Morning Call 2015 Lehigh Valley Sport Survey

The following report contains the results of a telephone survey of 408 adult (age 18 or older) residents of the Lehigh and Northampton counties between November 16 and December 14, 2015. Respondents were interviewed in English on both land lines (217) and cell phones (191) by the staff of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) in Allentown, Pennsylvania on the Institute’s Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing (CATI) system. Of the 191 cell phone respondents 152 had no landlines in their household. Both the landline and cell phone samples were provided by the Marketing Systems Group (MSG), Horsham, Pennsylvania. Both landline and cell phones were chosen randomly from sampling frames of Pennsylvania landline and cell numbers provided by MSG. With a randomly selected sample of 408 respondents the margin of error for the surveys is +/- 6% at a 95% level of confidence. Margins of error for questions with smaller sample sizes will be larger. In addition to sampling error, one should consider that question wording and other fielding issues can introduce error or bias into survey results. The sample data has been weighted by age and gender to reflect 2014 population parameters for these factors provided by the United States Census Bureau. The calculation of sampling error takes into account design effects due to the weighting identified above. In order to reach a representative sample of adult Lehigh Valley residents both land lines and cell phones are called up to 8 times. The response rate for this survey as calculated using the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) RRII formula is 14%. Due to rounding the totals provided in the frequency report may not total 100%. The survey instrument (presented in its entirety below) was designed by Dr. Christopher P. Borick of the MCIPO is conjunction with the staff of the Morning Call. The survey was funded exclusively by the Morning Call and the MCIPO. Michael Weiss assisted with the data analysis for this report. For more detailed information on the methods employed please contact the MCIPO at 484-664-3444 or email Dr. Borick at [email protected]. Instrument

Q1: In which of the following age categories does your current age fall. READ LIST ______

1. 18-29…………………...16% 2. 30-49…………………...29% 3. 50-65…………………...32% 4. or Over 65……………...23% Q2: I have a few questions about the role of sports in American society. Overall would you say that sports plays a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative, or very negative role in American society?

1. Very Positive………………………………………….25% 2. Somewhat Positive……………………………………54% 3. Somewhat Negative…………………………………..14% 4. Very Negative………………………………………… 2% 5. Neither Positive or Negative (Volunteered)…………. 4% 6. Not Sure……………………………………………… 1%

Q3: Which of the following best describes your level of interest in watching sports. Are you very interested, somewhat interested, slightly interested or not interested at all in watching sports?

1. Very Interested……………………………………24% 2. Somewhat Interested……………………………...31% 3. Slightly Interested………………………………...22% 4. Not interested at All (SKIP TO 17)………………22% 5. Not Sure (SKIP TO 17)…………………………….1%

Q4: About how many hours a week on average do you watch or listen to sports on television or other electronic device? Would you say its: (AMONG RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN WATCHING SPORTS)

1. 1-2 hours……………………………………………………………………….40% 2. 3-5 hours……………………………………………………………………….27% 3. 5-10 hours………………………………………………………………………14% 4. Over 10 hours………………………………………………………………….. 7% 5. Or you don’t watch or listen to sports on electronic devices (SKIP TO Q7)…..10% 6. Not Sure (SKIP TO Q7)…………………………………………………………,1%

Q5. What is your favorite professional sport to watch?

Sport % Of Those Watching Sports Football 51% Baseball 24% Basketball 7% Hockey 4% Golf 3% Ice Skating 2% Soccer 2% Tennis 2% NASCAR 1% Other 3% Q6. What is your favorite college sport to watch?

Sport % Of Those Watching Sports Football 68% Baseball 1% Basketball 27% Soccer 3% Other 1%

Q7: Next I have a few questions about the sports teams you may follow. What ONE professional football team, if any, do you most follow MOST?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a Professional Football Team

Eagles 49% Giants 11% Cowboys 7% Jets 4% Steelers 12% Packers 2% Patriots 4% Other 10%

Q8: What OTHER professional football teams, if any, do you follow closely?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a Professional Football Team other than their Primary Team

Eagles 21% Giants 13% Cowboys 6% Jets 5% Steelers 13% Packers 4% Patriots 12% Other 26% Q9: What ONE professional baseball team to do you most follow MOST?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a Professional Baseball Team

Phillies 51%

Yankees 21%

Mets 10%

Pirates 3%

Red Sox 1%

Other 13%

Q10: What OTHER professional baseball teams, if any, do you follow closely?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a Professional Baseball Team other than their Primary Team

Phillies 29%

Yankees 7%

Mets 20%

Pirates 4%

Red Sox 13%

Other 27% Q11: What ONE professional basketball team, if any, do you most follow?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a Professional Basketball Team

76ers 47%

Knicks 18%

Celtics 7%

Lakers 8%

Cavaliers 7%

Other 13%

12: What OTHER professional basketball teams, if any, do you follow closely?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a Professional Basketballl Team other than their Primary Team

76ers 7%

Knicks 33%

Celtics 7%

Lakers 20%

Cavaliers 7%

Other 13% Q13: What ONE professional hockey team, if any, do you most follow?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a Professional Hockey Team

Flyers 67%

Rangers 5%

Penguins 2%

Phantoms 5%

Bruins 6%

Devils 3%

Blackhawks 4%

Islanders 2%

Other 7%

Q14: What OTHER professional hockey teams, if any, do you follow closely?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a Professional Hockey Team other than their Primary Team

Flyers 22%

Rangers 22%

Penguins 9%

Phantoms 9%

Bruins 4%

Devils 9%

Blackhawks 4%

Islanders 9%

Other 13% Q15; What ONE college football team, if any, do you most follow?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a College Football Team

Penn State 55%

Lehigh 9%

Notre Dame 7%

Temple 9%

Lafayette 1%

Ohio State 3%

Other 8%

Q16: And finally what OTHER college football teams, if any, do you follow closely?

Team Among Lehigh Valley Sports Fans Following a College Football Team other than their Primary Team

Penn State 19%

Lehigh 13%

Notre Dame 11%

Temple 11%

Lafayette 6%

Ohio State 6%

Other 33% Q17: Next I have a few questions about sports in the Lehigh Valley. First about how many Iron Pigs baseball games at Coca Cola Park do you attend each year? Do you attend:

1. 1 or 2 games…………………34% 2. 3 to 5 games…………………11% 3. 6 to 10 games………………. 4% 4. Over 10 games……………… 3% 5. Or no games at all………...…46% 6. Not Sure……………………..<1%

Q18: About how many Phantoms hockey games at PPL Center do you attend each year? Do you attend:

1. 1 or 2 games…………………17% 2. 3 to 5 games………………… 3% 3. 6 to 10 games………………...1% 4. Over 10 games……………….2% 5. Or no games at all……………74% 6. Not Sure……………………...2%

Q19: In general would you say the presence of minor league baseball and hockey teams in the Lehigh Valley has had a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative affect on quality of life in the region?

1. Very Positive…………………………….45% 2. Somewhat Positive………………………46% 3. Somewhat Negative…………………….. 1% 4. Very Negative…………………………… 0% 5. Neither Positive or Negative…………….. 3% 6. Not Sure…………………………………..4%

Q20: Public financing was used in the construction of both Coca Cola Park and the PPL Center Would you say these public funds were very well spent, somewhat well spent or not spent well at all?

1. Very well spent…………………………...30% 2. Somewhat well spent……………………..47% 3. Not spent well at all………………………14% 4. Not Sure…………………………………. 9% Q21: Now I have a few questions about youth sports. In general would you say youth sports have a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative effect on young people in the United States?

1. Very Positive……………………………………………………………46% 2. Somewhat Positive……………………………………………………...42% 3. Somewhat Negative (SKIP TO Q23)…………………………………..6% 4. Very Negative (SKIP TO Q23)…………………………………………2% 5. Neither Positive or Negative (Volunteered) (SKIP TO Q24)………..…1%. 6. Not Sure (SKIP TO Q24)…………………………………………….…1%

Q22: What is the primary reason that you believe youth sports have a generally POSITIVE effect on young people? (ONLY RESPONDENTS THAT SAID YOUTH SPORTS HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT)

Reason Percent Responding Learn Teamwork 34% Teaches Discipline 7% Provides Physical Activity 11% Keeps Youth out of Trouble 19% Teaches Sportsmanship 5% Builds Character 12% Generally Positive Effect 4% Other Reason 9%

Q23: What is the primary reason that you believe youth sports have a generally NEGATIVE effect on young people? (ONLY RESPONDENTS THAT SAID YOUTH SPORTS HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT)

Reason Percent Responding Parent Actions 29% Too Much Emphasis on Winning 27% Health Effects 11% Takes Away from More Important Things 11% Other Reason 22%

Q24: Which of the following best describes how long-term risks of sports-related concussions affect your view of football as a HIGH SCHOOL sport?

1. The risks are too great so football should not be offered as a high school sport………..5% 2. Improvements in equipment and safety are needed for football to continue as………..70% a high school sport. 3. Injuries are a part of sports and don’t affect my view of football as a high school sport………………………………………………………………………...22% 4, Not Sure………………………………………………………………………………….3% Q25: Which of the following best describes your standing as a parent: (READ LIST)

1. I am a parent with children 18 years old or younger…………………..21% 2. I am a parent with children over the age of 18………………………...62% 3. or I am not a parent (SKIP TO Q28)…………………………………..16%

Q26: Have you ever prevented a child from playing a sport out of concern for their physical safety? (ONLY RESPONDENTS WHO ARE PARENTS)

1. Yes…………………………………………….15% 2. No (SKIP TO Q28)……………………………84% 3. Not Sure (SKIP TO Q28)…………………….. 1%

Q27: What sports have you prevented your child from playing because of concerns for their physical safety? (ONLY PARENTS WHO HAVE PREVENTED A CHILD FROM PLAYING SPORT)

Football…………………..62% Other Sport………………38%

Q28: Finally, I have a few questions about yourself. Which of the following categories best describes your racial identity? (READ LIST)

1. White/Caucasian…………… …80% 2. African-American……………. 6% 3. Hispanic/Latino………………... 8% 4. Asian………………………….. 1% 5. Native American………………<1% 6. Mixed race…………………….. 2% 7. or other……………………….... 2%

Q29: What is your highest level of education? Is it (READ LIST)?

1. Less than High School………………………. 3% 2. High School graduate………………………..23% 3. Some college or technical school……………27% 4. College graduate (4 yr only)…………………30% 5. Graduate or professional degree……………..18% Q30. Which of the following categories best describes your family income? (READ LIST)

1. Under $20,000………………….11% 2. $20,000-$40,000………………..19% 3. $40,000-$60,000………………..14% 4. $60,000-$80,000………………..14% 5. $80,000-$100,000………………14% 6. Over $100,000………………….24% 7. Not sure (Volunteered)………… 2%

Q31. In which of the following counties do you live?

1. Lehigh County……………….52% 2. Northampton County…………48%

Q32. Thank you for your help with the survey. We appreciate your time. (DO NOT ASK!)

1. Male………………49% 2. Female.……………51%