What is more popular in America NCAA Football or NFL

[Newport Hog]

NCAA football to me, I hate pro football. Plus I always think in the south it college football now I can see in the cities pro football being more popular especially in New York because they dont have a college team up that way. However I love college football!!!!!!!!! Its awesome.

[The Marmot]

If you look primarily at the exposure level of the sport and the financial side of it, the NFL is more popular... plus fantasy football has boosted the popularity of the NFL 10 fold in the last 10 or so years.

However I would say there are more college football fans out there, based purely on the fact that there many more teams.

If I had to choose, I would go with college, b/c of my lifelong devotion to the Razorbacks.

[Special Delivery Jones]

NFL rules the sports would in America.  When your finale is considered a defacto National Holiday you are the big dog.   

[sickboy]

Super Nintendo

[ErieHog]

The NFL, and it isn't even remotely close.

[Newport Hog]

yea that what I mean not the actually playing of the games but other stuff!!!! NFL can be boring I mean Dallas,New England,Green Bay,and Indiapolis and I guess the New York Giants are the most popular teams.

[BCShogs]

NCAA is more popular in the South. NFL is much more popular as a whole.

[NuttinItUp]

There are so many small schools and stuff, that I am sure cumulatively (if you added up attendance, total amount seen on tv, etc) college football would be way bigger.

[Special Delivery Jones]

Billion dollar franchises. near Billion dollar stadiums.  Multi-billion dollar TV contracts.  It ain't a race.  One is pro the other is just what it is college.  They are the feeder for the beast that is the NFL. 

[Darren DeLoach]

personally, i am not a big nfl lover. i keep up with our former hogs, but that is about it. (took my son to see matt jones play up in st. louis, during matt's rookie year)

i love college ball.

but america's pastime is the nfl.

[Newport Hog]

College Stadiums are always expanding usually NFL stadiums are downsizing. Ohio St,Michigan,Texas,Florida,Penn State are 80,000 to 100,000 plus.  Heck most NFL stadiums are around 65,000 or less.

[The Marmot]

College Stadiums are always expanding usually NFL stadiums are downsizing. Ohio St,Michigan,Texas,Florida,Penn State are 80,000 to 100,000 plus.  Heck most NFL stadiums are around 65,000 or less.

College stadiums go for quantity, NFL stadiums go for quality (and sponsorship). It will be a long time (if ever) before we see a billion dollar college stadium.

[NuttinItUp]

NCAA attendance for 2006: 47,909,313
  NFL attendance for 2006: 22,199,712

http://www.ncaa.org/stats/football/attendance/2006/2006_football_attendance.pdf
http://io.stlouisrams.com/MediaContent/2007/03/26/06/NFLPaidAttendance_60929.pdf

Each team in the NFL certainly has a bigger following and more money and whatnot, but as a whole, since there are so many NCAA teams, NCAA football is much bigger.

[ErieHog]

College Stadiums are always expanding usually NFL stadiums are downsizing. Ohio St,Michigan,Texas,Florida,Penn State are 80,000 to 100,000 plus.  Heck most NFL stadiums are around 65,000 or less.

The NFL downsizes for a reason; TV.  Because of the nature of their multi, multi, multi-billion dollar contracts, it is best for them to have smaller, packed stadiums so as to avoid local market blackouts for those who watch NFL on terrestrial networks.

[Special Delivery Jones]

While we may like college football more here in Arkansas it is not and never will be more popular.  Go over seas and ask about specific college teams.  On the other hand go and ask people over seas if they have heard of the Cowboys, Patriots, Colts, etc.  It is all about revenue and the NFL is heading toward the word trillion at great speed.  They get all the first dibs on everything.  There contract dwarfs every other sport in America.  The only 1 that even comes close is MLB can that is a sport driven by about 5 teams.  In the NFL any team just about any year can make a turnaround and give their fans a chance at winning a Super Bowl.  In college there are less than 20 of over 120 not including the other 200 plus small schools.  Now fact is all those little colleges and big colleges fill a lot of seats on Saturday afternoons, but that does not make it more popular than the NFL.  Fact is high school football probably has many more fans in seats on Friday nights.  Once again that does not make it more popular.  It just means there are many more options to view. 

[Special Delivery Jones]

NFL and College  ... Apples and Oranges.  One works in tens of billions the other works in 100s of millions.  No comparison.  Like I said the fact that there are 120 division 1 schools just gives it the greater opportunity for more attendance. 

[irishman]

I voted NFL in the poll though the last few years I have kind of lost interest in it as I have turned more to college football. Still the other poster who said "when your finale is a defacto national holiday you know you are the big dog" is correct. The NFL is america's passtime

[NuttinItUp]

While we may like college football more here in Arkansas it is not and never will be more popular.  Go over seas and ask about specific college teams.  On the other hand go and ask people over seas if they have heard of the Cowboys, Patriots, Colts, etc.  It is all about revenue and the NFL is heading toward the word trillion at great speed.  They get all the first dibs on everything.  There contract dwarfs every other sport in America.  The only 1 that even comes close is MLB can that is a sport driven by about 5 teams.  In the NFL any team just about any year can make a turnaround and give their fans a chance at winning a Super Bowl.  In college there are less than 20 of over 120 not including the other 200 plus small schools.  Now fact is all those little colleges and big colleges fill a lot of seats on Saturday afternoons, but that does not make it more popular than the NFL.  Fact is high school football probably has many more fans in seats on Friday nights.  Once again that does not make it more popular.  It just means there are many more options to view. 

College football is more popular cumulatively, though. In total number of fans, college football has more. (and you are right, high school football might have even more) Being a fan of a local team is much easier than being a fan of the nearest big city that has an NFL team. Each NFL team has more fans than each NCAA team, true, but that wasn't the question. Cumulatively, NCAA football is bigger.

[NuttinItUp]

NFL and College  ... Apples and Oranges.  One works in tens of billions the other works in 100s of millions.  No comparison.  Like I said the fact that there are 120 division 1 schools just gives it the greater opportunity for more attendance. 

All NCAA teams combined are worth more than all NFL teams combined. Sorry, no matter which stat you use (total value, total attendance, total tv viewership, total money spent by fans, etc), in every way NCAA is bigger than NFL.

[Special Delivery Jones]

In 2006 the major Networks paid 21.4 billion dollars for the TV rights.  Imagine what that will go for in 3 years when  the numbers are reworked.  It will likely head for the 40 billion dollar mark.  Dollars equals popularity.  They don't spend that type of money for people to not watch.

[Special Delivery Jones]

The Super Bowl has 21 games that are ranked in the  top 45 most viewed programs in US television history.  Now that is some popularity.

[OnYourToes]

College Stadiums are always expanding usually NFL stadiums are downsizing. Ohio St,Michigan,Texas,Florida,Penn State are 80,000 to 100,000 plus.  Heck most NFL stadiums are around 65,000 or less.

Smaller stadiums equal a higher ticket price. 
TV Netoworks like to film a game that is sold out with no empty seats, which favors a smaller stadium.

NFL is the monster of the sports world.

When your final game of the year becomes a comparitave phrase, you rule [ie:  Daytona is the Super Bowl of the racing world, The Oscars are the Super Bowl of the acting world. . ]

[Special Delivery Jones]

All NCAA teams combined are worth more than all NFL teams combined. Sorry, no matter which stat you use (total value, total attendance, total tv viewership, total money spent by fans, etc), in every way NCAA is bigger than NFL.

There football programs standing alone are not bigger.  Now that is a fact.

[Special Delivery Jones]

College teams are worth what???  Never knew of one of those selling.  I would like to know the market value of the Razorbacks, Longhorns, and Sooners versus that of the Cowboys, Steelers, and Patriots. 

[OnYourToes]

NCAA attendance for 2006: 47,909,313
  NFL attendance for 2006: 22,199,712

http://www.ncaa.org/stats/football/attendance/2006/2006_football_attendance.pdf
http://io.stlouisrams.com/MediaContent/2007/03/26/06/NFLPaidAttendance_60929.pdf

Each team in the NFL certainly has a bigger following and more money and whatnot, but as a whole, since there are so many NCAA teams, NCAA football is much bigger.

Those numbers are attendees for the game, in person.  It does not reflect those that watched the games on TV.  The Super Bowl was watched by over 100 Million people.

[ErieHog]

All NCAA teams combined are worth more than all NFL teams combined. Sorry, no matter which stat you use (total value, total attendance, total tv viewership, total money spent by fans, etc), in every way NCAA is bigger than NFL.

The only one where the NCAA has an edge is total attendance.   NFL merchandising, TV Revenues, franchise values and budgets, total TV viewership --- all dwarf the college game.

The NFL is the king of all sports in the US, and it's not even remotely close.  MLB has a total revenue of slightly less than 6 billion dollars, less than a yearly TV contract for the NFL.

[NuttinItUp]

In 2006 the major Networks paid 21.4 billion dollars for the TV rights.  Imagine what that will go for in 3 years when  the numbers are reworked.  It will likely head for the 40 billion dollar mark.  Dollars equals popularity.  They don't spend that type of money for people to not watch.

And the tv rights for NCAA Division 1 alone (combined) is more than double that! (true, they usually go game by game, and not a "contract", but it is indeed more) Lots of money (and popularity) indeed!

[NuttinItUp]

There football programs standing alone are not bigger.  Now that is a fact.

Yep, that is what I said. Each individual NFL team is bigger. Luckily the question was about NCAA vs NFL popularity as a whole. In that, NCAA mops the floor.

[NuttinItUp]

Those numbers are attendees for the game, in person.  It does not reflect those that watched the games on TV.  The Super Bowl was watched by over 100 Million people.

Indeed. For individual games, individual teams, etc, the NFL is bigger. In total, the NCAA is bigger, which is what the question was about. Also, the Super Bowl is not a great comparison because there is no playoff in NCAA football.

[X Hawgfan X]

Most people I know who watch NFL also watch College...but those that watch College do not all watch NFL.  So in the very small sample of people I know College is more popular.  The poll is a little flawed though since this is a College site the votes almost have to NCAA

[arkjay19]

NFL rules the sports would in America.  When your finale is considered a defacto National Holiday you are the big dog.   

Ding ding ding ding. 

College football probably is more popular and passionate in the south, but the big media markets: LA, Chicago, Boston, New York, D.C., aren't in the south. 

[3kgthog]

It's the NFL until the BCS Championship game draws the ratings of the Super Bowl.

[311Hog]

I think people "love" NCAA football more then they "like" NFL football honestly.  I only watch the NFL to see certain players, or because i just like the game of football and it is a good excuse to have a beer or two and some wings.

I love NCAA football, always have always will.

[Lando Calrissian]

Your poll doesn't make any sense.

[Milton]

If you are just wanting what the site thinks this is fine, but if you want a true answer you won't get one here, as this is a primerally college sports site

edit: I said NFL btw

[slowride]

F THE NFL!!

[MoonJumpingDonkey]

For us, it is NCAA.  But in the United States as a whole, it is the NFL by a MILE.  I can't believe the amount of people who have voted college. Must be young folks or they simply do not understand how HUGE the NFL is in America.  Let me say it again, the gap is Wide.  MANY more people follow and love NFL football as opposed to college sports.

[Milton]

For us, it is NCAA.  But in the United States as a whole, it is the NFL by a MILE.  I can't believe the amount of people who have voted college. Must be young folks or they simply do not understand how HUGE the NFL is in America.  Let me say it again, the gap is Wide.  MANY more people follow and love NFL football as opposed to college sports.

They aren't voting for who they think is the most popular, just which one they like more

[NuttinItUp]

For us, it is NCAA.  But in the United States as a whole, it is the NFL by a MILE.  I can't believe the amount of people who have voted college. Must be young folks or they simply do not understand how HUGE the NFL is in America.  Let me say it again, the gap is Wide.  MANY more people follow and love NFL football as opposed to college sports.

Not cumulatively, though. More people attend NCAA games total, more people watch NCAA games on tv total, more money is generated by the NCAA in total vs the NFL, more people follow the NCAA than the NFL, etc.

Individual teams and individual games in the NFL are bigger, but the NCAA is bigger in total. (which is what the question was asking, I believe)

[ErieHog]

Not cumulatively, though. More people attend NCAA games total, more people watch NCAA games on tv total, more money is generated by the NCAA in total vs the NFL, more people follow the NCAA than the NFL, etc.

Individual teams and individual games in the NFL are bigger, but the NCAA is bigger in total. (which is what the question was asking, I believe)

Well, other than the aspects where you are dead wrong (TV viewing, revenue, fan following), you'd be right.

Attendance is it.  That's the only place the NFL loses to college football.

[Milton]

Not cumulatively, though. More people attend NCAA games total, more people watch NCAA games on tv total, more money is generated by the NCAA in total vs the NFL, more people follow the NCAA than the NFL, etc.

Individual teams and individual games in the NFL are bigger, but the NCAA is bigger in total. (which is what the question was asking, I believe)

This is because the NCAA has ovcer 100 teams, while the NFL has 32 teams. More teams= more seats=more money

[311Hog]

This is because the NCAA has ovcer 100 teams, while the NFL has 32 teams. More teams= more seats=more money

more popularity.   It isnt hard to figure out.  There are alot of reasons for why NFL gets alot of exposure, most IMHO are because the athletes make so much money for what they do, and because people have followed their career's from college. 

To me the NFL is "sold" to people around where the team exists and to the general male public as the "cool manly" thing to be watching on TV, and considering that there isnt much else on TV worth watching the NFL has a large following mainly composed of people who "wish" they could get paid millions of dollars to play a game.

NCAA is composed of student athletes, even now as "Big time" as it has gotten with the $$$$$$, these people are still playing for the "love of the game" by and large and that is why i like it so much.

[NuttinItUp]

This is because the NCAA has ovcer 100 teams, while the NFL has 32 teams. More teams= more seats=more money

Exactly. More teams means more fans, means more popularity. Which is what the question was asking.

[ErieHog]

Exactly. More teams means more fans, means more popularity. Which is what the question was asking.

Attendance does not equal popularity; the NFL television numbers *dwarf* the NCAA numbers, combined. 

The NFL owns the conversation when it comes to the most popular sport in America.

[NuttinItUp]

Well, other than the aspects where you are dead wrong (TV viewing, revenue, fan following), you'd be right.

Attendance is it.  That's the only place the NFL loses to college football.

Nope, more games on tv = more people seeing NCAA games than NFL games. Total revenue is higher as well, and fan following it isn't even close. (same as attendance) Note: I am not talking about individual games or individual teams, I am talking about the entire NCAA vs the entire NFL. (as per the question)

[Milton]

Exactly. More teams means more fans, means more popularity. Which is what the question was asking.

Not always. The NFL probily has a bigger following of fans, just because sometimes people's favorite teams are a long way away from where they live at they can't attend, where in NCAA most of the time your favorite team is inside your very own state making it easy to attend.

[Pigdiana Jones]

Honestly NFL is bigger, but personally I Like college football and college basketball better. People play with more heart and aren't out to be drama kings like they do in the pros.

[311Hog]

Not always. The NFL probily has a bigger following of fans, just because sometimes people's favorite teams are a long way away from where they live at they can't attend, where in NCAA most of the time your favorite team is inside your very own state making it easy to attend.

i dont agree with this statement it is pure speculation.  In my "opinion" NFL teams are just like college teams only on a larger scale.  They typically represent an entire state or a very large city in terms of fan base that actually fills up their stadiums.  College teams are often made up of alumni, or people in the general area or that grew up with some form of attachment to the school, the same goes for NFL teams, if you grew up in Denver it is likely that you are a Broncos fan  and always will be.

The NFL has a larger pool of people to draw fans from because their represent large sections of the country and are far less subdivided based on the fact that only the "best of the best" can play in the NFL, not the case for NCAA.

[ErieHog]

Nope, more games on tv = more people seeing NCAA games than NFL games. Total revenue is higher as well, and fan following it isn't even close. (same as attendance) Note: I am not talking about individual games or individual teams, I am talking about the entire NCAA vs the entire NFL. (as per the question)

Bad math strikes again.  More games does not = more viewers.

NCAA football draws a relatively strong market share in the South, and in isolated college metropolitan areas in the Upper Midwest, but the NFL draws far more.      The BCS vs. the Super Bowl is just a case in point;  the five biggest, most watched games on the college slate drew a combined 48 million viewers; the Super Bowl alone generated over 89 million.   

[NuttinItUp]

Bad math strikes again.  More games does not = more viewers.

NCAA football draws a relatively strong market share in the South, and in isolated college metropolitan areas in the Upper Midwest, but the NFL draws far more.      The BCS vs. the Super Bowl is just a case in point;  the five biggest, most watched games on the college slate drew a combined 48 million viewers; the Super Bowl alone generated over 89 million.   

Again, I am not talking about individual games, but cumulatively. I totally agree that the NFL wins out in the Super Bowl vs regular bowls, or whatever single comparison you want to make.