Poll Watch: Siena College New York Sports Survey

Siena College New York Sports Poll

Would you describe yourself as a sports fan, or not?

• Yes 57%
• No 42%

Among Men

• Yes 69%
• No 31%

Among Women

• Yes 47%
• No 53%

Thinking about some sports teams in the New York area, which of the following teams would you say is your favorite?

• New York Yankees 31%
• New York Giants 17%
• New York Mets 9%
• Buffalo Bills 6%
• New York Knicks 6%
• New York Jets 5%
• Syracuse Orange 5%
• Buffalo Sabres 3%
• New York Rangers 3%
• New Jersey Devils 1%
• New Jersey Nets 1%
• New York Islanders 0%
• Other 1%
• Don't know 2%
• No favorite 10%

Of the remaining, which team is your second favorite?

• New York Giants 20%
• New York Yankees 14%
• New York Mets 9%
• New York Jets 9%
• New York Knicks 9%
• Buffalo Bills 5%
• New York Rangers 4%
• Syracuse Orange 4%
• Buffalo Sabres 3%
• New York Islanders 3%
• New Jersey Nets 1%
• New Jersey Devils 0%
• Other 1%
• Don't know 3%
• No favorite 14%

Of the remaining, which team is your next favorite?

• New York Giants 12%
• New York Jets 11%
• New York Knicks 10%
• New York Yankees 8%
• New York Mets 8%
• New York Rangers 5%
• Buffalo Bills 4%
• Syracuse Orange 4%
• New Jersey Nets 3%
• Buffalo Sabres 2%
• New York Islanders 2%
• New Jersey Devils 1%
• Other 1%
• Don't know 6%
• No favorite 22%

Many great athletes participate in organized sports here in the New York area. Who is in your opinion the single greatest athlete currently playing for a New York team or that you associate with sports in New York?

• Derek Jeter 26%
• Eli Manning 11%
• Carmelo Anthony 4%
• Mariano Rivera 3%
• Alex Rodriguez 2%
• Tim Tebow 2%
• Jeremy Lin 2%
• Other 13%
• Refused 8%
• Don't know 27%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Derek Jeter 74% / 6% {+68%}
• Eli Manning 70% / 5% {+65%}
• Jeremy Lin 57% / 6% {+51%}
• Andy Pettitte 54% / 9% {+45%}
• Joe Girardi 49% / 8% {+41%}
• Tim Tebow 52% / 15% {+37%}
• Mark Sanchez 46% / 14% {+32%}
• Tom Coughlin 38% / 9% {+29%}
• Alex Rodriguez 51% / 23% {+28%}
• Carmelo Anthony 38% / 17% {+21%}
• Rex Ryan 26% / 22% {+4%}

Thinking specifically about the New York Jets, who would you rather see as the starting quarterback in 2012?

• Mark Sanchez 39%
• Tim Tebow 35%
• Don't know/Refused 26%

Among Democrats

• Mark Sanchez 46%
• Tim Tebow 27%
• Don't know/Refused 27%

Among Republicans

• Tim Tebow 46%
• Mark Sanchez 34%
• Don't know/Refused 19%

Lastly, there is an issue being debated in Albany whether or not New York should legalize mixed martial arts, known by some as cage fighting or ultimate fighting. Supporters say it should be legal in the state of New York. Mixed martial arts or MMA is already legal in many states and if legal here in New York would generate fan interest, direct revenues and would be an engine of economic development. Opponents say MMA is dangerous, even barbaric and we should not allow such a violent sport to be practiced here in New York. Do you side with the supporters of MMA or with the opponents?

• Side with supporters 38%
  
• Side with opponents 52%

Among Men

• Side with supporters 50%
• Side with opponents 42%

Among Women

• Side with supporters 26%
• Side with opponents 60%

Survey of 807 adults was conducted March 25-29 and April 1-3, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3.4 percentage points.