Category Archives: Basketball

61% Agree with Athletes’ Right to Speak Out for Social Justice; But More than a Third Say It Hinders Desire To Watch Games, Ruins Sports as ‘Escape’

South Orange NJ, November 23, 2020 — While 61 percent of Americans say that athletes have a right to free speech and it is their decision to speak out for social justice, 35 percent call sports their “escape” and don’t want to see any commentary other than sports. In addition, 36 percent say that athletes speaking out hinders their desire to watch games.

These were the findings of a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted November 13-16 among 1,506 American adults, geographically spread across the country. The Poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percent.

On the question of athletes exercising free speech and making their own decision to speak out, only 15 percent disagreed compared to the 61 percent who agreed that players held that right. Among self-described sports fans, those who agreed that players held that right to speech was 69 percent.

On the question of sports being an escape and not wanting to see any commentary on subjects other than sports, almost an equal number agreed and disagreed. While 36 percent said they saw sports as an escape and did not want to hear commentary from athletes outside of sports, 37 percent felt otherwise. Among sports fans, however, 46 percent said they saw sports as an escape and would rather not see commentary outside of sports, while 34 percent felt otherwise.

Does Social Justice Commentary from Athletes Hinder the Desire To Watch Sports?

Does social justice commentary from athletes hinder the desire to watch sports? For 35 percent the answer was yes, but 39 percent said that athletes speaking out on social justice issues is not a hindrance. The rest – about a quarter of the population in each case – neither agreed nor disagreed.

“It marks a fine line for many sports fans, probably across the political spectrum,” said Professor Charles Grantham, Director of the Center for Sport Management within the Stillman School of Business, which oversees the Seton Hall Sports Poll. “What many Americans seem not to understand is that despite their fame, our black athletes, male and female, have their own histories and experiences with police, mourn the losses of those who look like them and feel the potential dangers of forthcoming encounters. They are committed to raising the consciousness of America with regard to systemic racism and social injustice.”

“Leagues really need to note the fact, however, that about a third of the population is uncomfortable with these displays of free speech,” said Stillman Professor of Marketing and Poll Methodologist Daniel Ladik. “That’s a minority, but it’s sizeable if you are trying to sell a product. A number of the leagues have already taken some action but need to continue to explain to consumers why this speech is important.”

Why Are TV Ratings Down?

Television ratings for both the NFL regular season and the NBA finals are and were down this year, and respondents were asked their opinion why. Twenty-eight percent said they thought that fans are turned off by the social justice efforts by athletes and their leagues, and 24 percent said it was because attention was focused on the November elections. Twelve percent said it was because too many sports were available while 35 percent had no opinion or did not know.

As To the Strange NBA Season…

The shortened NBA season, with the playoffs staged before no fans and in a bubble, elicited fan reaction in the poll. Asked if the finals were just as entertaining as in previous years, only 22 percent agreed, with 21 percent disagreeing. Fifty-seven percent neither agreed nor disagreed, a large number perhaps reflected by the decline in viewership this year. Asked if the finals were dull with no fans in attendance, 25 percent agreed and 15 percent disagreed. Again, a large percentage of the respondents (59 percent) neither agreed nor disagreed. Asked if it was difficult to follow the NBA Finals because there were too many other sports on TV, only 15 percent agreed while 21 percent disagreed and 62 percent neither agreed nor disagreed.

Only 26% Think NFL Will Make it To Super Bowl

Asked if the they thought it doubtful the NFL will make it through the playoffs and complete the Super Bowl in this year of Coronavirus, 26 percent agreed. Among self-described sports fans the number of those who doubt that the NFL will successfully complete the season moved up to 29 percent; however, an equal number of sports fans (29 percent) felt the opposite and did not doubt the season will successfully conclude. The remainder neither agreed nor disagreed.

“It is a different kind of year,” said Grantham, the former executive director of the the National Basketball Players Association. “That which seemed certain in years past now is the subject of doubt. The Super Bowl is the most watched sporting and media event in the United States. The fact that 29 percent of sports fans think the Super Bowl itself may be in question is astounding.”

Breakdowns Below.

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ABOUT THE POLL

The Seton Hall Sports Poll, conducted regularly since 2006, is performed by the Sharkey Institute within the Stillman School of Business. This poll was conducted online by YouGov Plc. using a national representative sample weighted according to gender, age, ethnicity, education, income and geography, based on U.S. Census Bureau figures. Respondents were selected from YouGov’s opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S residents. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been chosen for inclusion in iPoll by Cornell’s Roper Center for Public Opinion Research and its findings have been published everywhere from USA Today, ESPN, The New York Times, Washington Post, AP, and Reuters to CNBC, NPR, Yahoo Finance, Fox News and many points in between.

Media: Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall University
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034; Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com

The Results:

November 2020 SHSP Tables

Q₁ The National Basketball Association (NBA) recently completed its playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Miami Heat for the title. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Please select one option on each row.

The NBA Finals were just as entertaining as previous years

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	22%	31%	6%	54%	32%	21%	5%	9%
Neither agree nor disagree	57%	44%	81%	21%	41%	57%	82%	72%
Disagree	21%	25%	13%	25%	27%	22%	13%	19%

The NBA Finals were dull because there were no fans in attendance

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	26%	34%	8%	49%	35%	27%	8%	12%
Neither agree nor disagree	59%	47%	82%	31%	45%	57%	83%	70%
Disagree	15%	19%	10%	20%	20%	16%	9%	18%

It was difficult to follow the NBA Finals because there are too many other sports on TV

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	16%	24%	3%	43%	22%	16%	3%	6%
Neither agree nor disagree	62%	49%	86%	23%	49%	61%	87%	69%
Disagree	22%	27%	11%	34%	29%	23%	10%	25%

Q₂ During the 2020 sports season, both the NFL’s live TV content and the NBA’s live TV finals had lower ratings compared to last year (i.e., during the 2019 sports season). Which one of the following statements do you think best describes the main reason for the overall drop in ratings?

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
TV ratings are down because there are too many sports available	12%	16%	5%	40%	13%	9%	5%	5%
TV ratings are down because people are paying attention to the November elections	25%	28%	18%	27%	30%	27%	17%	19%
TV ratings are down because fans are turned off by the social justice efforts by athletics and the leagues	28%	32%	21%	21%	35%	33%	22%	12%
Don’t know/no opinion	35%	24%	56%	12%	22%	31%	56%	64%

Q₃ In recent years, professional athletes and the leagues they play in have taken a strong stand supporting social justice causes. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Please select one option on each row.

Sports are my “escape” and I don’t want to see any commentary other than sports

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	36%	46%	17%	62%	49%	35%	17%	23%
Neither agree nor disagree	27%	20%	39%	20%	20%	22%	38%	56%
Disagree	37%	34%	44%	18%	31%	43%	45%	21%

Hearing an athlete speak out about social justice hinders my desire to watch sports

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	35%	40%	25%	42%	39%	40%	25%	30%
Neither agree nor disagree	27%	20%	39%	20%	21%	19%	38%	48%
Disagree	38%	40%	36%	38%	40%	41%	37%	22%

Athletes have free speech and it is their decision speak out

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	61%	69%	44%	75%	71%	63%	48%	22%
Neither agree nor disagree	24%	18%	35%	17%	17%	20%	33%	48%
Disagree	15%	13%	21%	8%	12%	17%	19%	30%

Q₄ Since the start of the NFL season, multiple players have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19), leading to NFL games being postponed during the season. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Please select one option on each row.

The shuffling of the NFL schedule takes away the integrity of the season

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	26%	33%	11%	39%	33%	29%	10%	23%
Neither agree nor disagree	47%	36%	70%	27%	34%	42%	70%	61%
Disagree	27%	31%	19%	34%	33%	29%	20%	16%

It is not a “big deal” if a game is rescheduled

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	48%	56%	32%	65%	56%	53%	32%	25%
Neither agree nor disagree	38%	28%	57%	24%	26%	33%	57%	61%
Disagree	14%	16%	11%	11%	18%	14%	11%	14%

It is doubtful that the NFL will make it through the playoffs and complete the Super Bowl

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	26%	29%	18%	40%	28%	28%	18%	11%
Neither agree nor disagree	52%	42%	72%	28%	41%	49%	72%	70%
Disagree	22%	29%	10%	32%	31%	23%	10%	19%

The “agree” percentage in the release is based on combining those who strongly or somewhat agree.

November 2020 SHSP

Which, if any, of the following statements best describes your interest in sports?

I am an avid sports fan (i.e., I plan everything I do around sporting events) (10%)
I am an average sports fan (i.e., I enjoy sports and I watch sports when I can) (31)
I am a casual sports fan (i.e., if the game is part of a social event, I’ll watch) (24)
I am not a sports fan (33)
Don’t know/no opinion (2)

The National Basketball Association (NBA) recently completed its playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Miami Heat for the title. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Please select one option on each row.

The NBA Finals were just as entertaining as previous years

Strongly agree (10%)
Somewhat agree (12)
Neither agree nor disagree (57)
Somewhat disagree (8)
Strongly disagree (13)

The NBA Finals were dull because there were no fans in attendance

Strongly agree (11%)
Somewhat agree (14)
Neither agree nor disagree (59)
Somewhat disagree (7)
Strongly disagree (8)

It was difficult to follow the NBA Finals because there are too many other sports on TV

Strongly agree (6%)
Somewhat agree (9)
Neither agree nor disagree (62)
Somewhat disagree (9)
Strongly disagree (12)

During the 2020 sports season, both the NFL’s live TV content and the NBA’s live TV finals had lower ratings compared to last year (i.e., during the 2019 sports season). Which one of the following statements do you think best describes the main reason for the overall drop in ratings?

TV ratings are down because there are too many sports available (12%)
TV ratings are down because people are paying attention to the November elections (24)
TV ratings are down because fans are turned off by the social justice efforts by athletics and the leagues (28)
Don’t know/no opinion (35)

In recent years, professional athletes and the leagues they play in have taken a strong stand supporting social justice causes. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Please select one option on each row.

Sports are my “escape” and I don’t want to see any commentary other than sports

Strongly agree (23%)
Somewhat agree (12)
Neither agree nor disagree (27)
Somewhat disagree (9)
Strongly disagree (28)

Hearing an athlete speak out about social justice hinders my desire to watch sports

Strongly agree (24%)
Somewhat agree (11)
Neither agree nor disagree (27)
Somewhat disagree (9)
Strongly disagree (29)

Athletes have free speech and it is their decision speak out

Strongly agree (43%)
Somewhat agree (18)
Neither agree nor disagree (24)
Somewhat disagree (5)
Strongly disagree (10)
Since the start of the NFL season, multiple players have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19), leading to NFL games being postponed during the season. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Please select one option on each row.

The shuffling of the NFL schedule takes away the integrity of the season

Strongly agree (11%)
Somewhat agree (14)
Neither agree nor disagree (47)
Somewhat disagree (14)
Strongly disagree (13)

It is not a “big deal” if a game is rescheduled

Strongly agree (20%)
Somewhat agree (27)
Neither agree nor disagree (38)
Somewhat disagree (8)
Strongly disagree (6)

It is doubtful that the NFL will make it through the playoffs and complete the Super Bowl

Strongly agree (10%)
Somewhat agree (16)
Neither agree nor disagree (52)
Somewhat disagree (14)
Strongly disagree (8)

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall has been showing the world what great minds can do since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous academic programs, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Seton Hall embraces students of all religions and prepares them to be exemplary servant leaders and global citizens. In recent years, the University has achieved extraordinary success. Since 2009, it has seen record-breaking undergraduate enrollment growth and an impressive 110-point increase in the average SAT scores of incoming freshmen. In the past decade, Seton Hall students and alumni have received more than 30 Fulbright Scholarships as well as other prestigious academic honors, including Boren Awards, Pickering Fellowships, Udall Scholarships and a Rhodes Scholarship. The University is also proud to be among the most diverse national Catholic universities in the country.

During the past five years, the University has invested more than $165 million in new campus buildings and renovations. And in 2015, Seton Hall launched a School of Medicine as well as a College of Communication and the Arts. The University’s beautiful main campus in suburban South Orange, N.J. is only 14 miles from New York City — offering students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. Seton Hall’s nationally recognized School of Law is located prominently in downtown Newark. The University’s Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in Clifton and Nutley, N.J. opened in the summer of 2018. The IHS campus houses the University’s College of Nursing, School of Health and Medical Sciences and the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

67 Percent of Americans Say No To Indoor Sporting Events Without Vaccine

67 Percent of Americans Say No To Indoor Sporting Events Without Vaccine

South Orange NJ, November 18, 2020 — Even masked, wearing personal protective equipment and socially distanced, 67 percent of Americans surveyed said they would not attend an indoor sporting event without the availability of a vaccine for COVID-19. Fifty-eight percent said they would not attend an outdoor event under the same circumstances.

Only 21 percent said they would attend an indoor sporting event, with 12 percent saying they did not know or had no opinion; for outdoor events the number of those who said they would attend with PPE and social distancing rose to 28 percent with 14 percent saying they did not know or had no opinion.

These were the findings of a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted November 13-16 among 1,506 American adults, geographically spread across the country. The Poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percent.

A Seton Hall Sports Poll in April of this year, which received widespread international attention and combined indoor and outdoor events, found that 72 percent would not attend these events without access to a vaccine. The poll in April also found that 61 percent of those who described themselves as sports fans said they would not attend.

In this most recent poll, 60 percent of those who described themselves as sports fans said they would not attend indoor events, while 50 percent said they would not attend outdoor events.

“The recent news of vaccine breakthroughs has got to be enormously uplifting to those in the business of selling tickets, be it sports or entertainment,” said Professor Charles Grantham, Director of the Center for Sport Management within the Stillman School of Business, which oversees the Seton Hall Sports Poll. “Even though the percentages who would not attend have improved since the spring and the onset of the pandemic, these are just awful numbers to ponder.”

Stillman Professor of Marketing and Poll Methodologist Daniel Ladik agreed, “The Pfizer announcement of an imminent and efficacious vaccine was widely published prior to our polling and is presumably reflected in these numbers. An eager nation of sports fans awaits.”

People with Children More Likely to Attend Events
Interestingly, and perhaps related to school and youth athletic events, the number of those who would attend sporting events with PPE and social distancing was greater for those with children under the age of 18. Only 49 percent of these parents said they would not attend outdoor events (compared to 58 percent of the overall population); and 60 percent said they would not attend indoor events (compared to 67 percent overall).

Do Fans in the Stands (Virtual or Otherwise) Make a Difference?
Noting that some professional and college sporting events have allowed fans with limited capacity, the poll also asked whether or not fans in the stands under these circumstances provide an advantage for the home team. Whereas 43 percent of the overall population said they believed the presence of fans provided a “home team advantage,” 53 percent of those who described themselves as sports fans said it did.

In addition, respondents were also asked whether “virtual fans” in stadiums, arenas and TV broadcasts were a good replacement for actual fans. Among the general population, 27 percent felt they were; 26 percent thought they weren’t even noticeable; 11 percent thought they were a distraction; and 36 percent did not know or had no opinion.

Self-described sports fans looked more favorably upon the virtual fans, with 35 percent saying they were a good replacement and 13 percent thinking that they were a distraction. Among the subset of those who described themselves as “avid sports fans,” the number who thought virtual fans were a good replacement was higher (by double digits) than that of sports fans in general.

Is this an Asterisk Season?
Asked to think about the impact of COVID-19 on sports in 2020 (shortened seasons, changes in game formats, etc.) respondents were asked whether or not this year’s champions in professional baseball (Los Angeles Dodgers), basketball (Los Angeles Lakers) and hockey (Tampa Bay Lightning) were “less deserving” than the champions of previous years. Among sports fans, 27 percent thought the Dodgers were less deserving; 31 percent thought the Lakers were less deserving; and 24 percent thought the Lightning were so. Among the smaller subset that described themselves as “avid sports fans,” the number that thought of the teams as less deserving was even higher (by a double digit margin in each case).

“Although many of the leagues tried admirably to salvage their seasons when most thought they would be lost, it’s obvious from these findings that the public has some doubts and concerns,” said Grantham, former executive director of the National Basketball Players Association. “It will be interesting to see how the leagues — and fans — adjust moving forward.”

# # #

ABOUT THE POLL

Media: Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall University
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034; Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com

The Results:

Q1.Would you attend… A live outdoor sporting, with personal protection equipment (PPE), socially distancing measures, and restricted attendance, before a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is widely available?

Yes, I would attend (28%)
No, I would not attend (58)
Don’t know/no opinion (14)

Q2.Would you attend… A live indoor sporting, with personal protection equipment (PPE), socially distancing measures, and restricted attendance, before a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is widely available?

Yes, I would attend (21%)
No, I would not attend (67)
Don’t know/no opinion (12)

Q3.Thinking about the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the current sports season (e.g., shortened sports seasons, changes in game formats, etc.)… To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Please select one option on each row.

Q4.The Los Angeles Lakers (2019-2020 NBA Champions) are a less deserving champion than previous NBA champions

Strongly agree (13%)
Somewhat agree (10)
Neither agree nor disagree (51)
Somewhat disagree (8)
Strongly disagree (17)

Q5.The Tampa Bay Lighting (2019-2020 NHL Champions) are a less deserving champion than previous NHL champions

Strongly agree (8%)
Somewhat agree (10)
Neither agree nor disagree (56)
Somewhat disagree (9)
Strongly disagree (17)

Q6.The Los Angeles Dodgers (2020 MLB Champion) are a less deserving champion than previous MLB champions

Strongly agree (9%)
Somewhat agree (11%)
Neither agree nor disagree (52%)
Somewhat disagree (10)
Strongly disagree (18)

Q7.In stadiums where fans were not allowed to attend, many teams featured “virtual fans” on screens in the arena or as part of the TV broadcast. Which, if any, of the following statements best describes your thoughts about this practice? Please select the option that best applies.

Virtual fans were a good replacement for actual fans (27%)
Neutral – virtual fans weren’t even noticeable (26)
Virtual fans were a distraction to my overall enjoyment of the game (11)
Don’t know/no opinion (36)

Q8.Some professional and college sporting events have allowed fans, but with limited capacity. Do fans in the stands, even in a limited capacity, provide an advantage for the home team?

Yes, the fans provide an advantage (43%)
No, the fans do not provide an advantage (22)
Don’t know/no opinion (35)

November 2020 SHSP Tables

Q₁ Would you attend… A live outdoor sporting event, with personal protection equipment (PPE), socially distancing measures, and restricted attendance, before a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is widely available?

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Yes, I would attend	28%	39%	8%	60%	40%	30%	8%	11%
No, I would not attend	58%	50%	73%	30%	51%	57%	75%	40%
Don’t know/no opinion	14%	11%	19%	10%	9%	13%	17%	49%

Q₂ Would you attend… A live indoor sporting event, with personal protection equipment (PPE), socially distancing measures, and restricted attendance, before a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is widely available?

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Yes, I would attend	21%	29%	8%	48%	29%	22%	8%	8%
No, I would not attend	67%	60%	79%	43%	63%	65%	80%	49%
Don’t know/no opinion	12%	11%	13%	9%	8%	13%	12%	43%

Thinking about the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the current sports season (e.g., shortened sports seasons, changes in game formats, etc.). To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Please select one option on each row.

Q_3a The Los Angeles Lakers (2019-2020 NBA Champions) are a less deserving champion than previous NBA champions

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	24%	31%	9%	49%	32%	23%	8%	17%
Neither agree nor disagree	51%	40%	74%	22%	35%	51%	75%	58%
Disagree	25%	29%	17%	29%	33%	26%	17%	25%

Q_3b The Tampa Bay Lighting (2019-2020 NHL Champions) are a less deserving champion than previous NHL champions

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	18%	24%	7%	39%	25%	16%	6%	17%
Neither agree nor disagree	54%	44%	76%	30%	41%	56%	78%	55%
Disagree	28%	32%	17%	31%	34%	28%	16%	28%

Q_3c The Los Angeles Dodgers (2020 MLB Champion) are a less deserving champion than previous MLB champions

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Agree	20%	27%	8%	40%	29%	18%	7%	18%
Neither agree nor disagree	52%	40%	73%	30%	34%	53%	75%	51%
Disagree	28%	33%	19%	30%	37%	29%	18%	31%

Q₄ In stadiums where fans were not allowed to attend, many teams featured “virtual fans” on screens in the arena or as part of the TV broadcast. Which, if any, of the following statements best describes your thoughts about this practice? Please select the option that best applies.

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Virtual fans were a good replacement for actual fans	27%	35%	13%	56%	36%	25%	13%	11%
Neutral – virtual fans weren’t even noticeable	26%	34%	11%	26%	38%	32%	13%	4%
Virtual fans were a distraction to my overall enjoyment of the game	11%	13%	7%	9%	13%	13%	6%	14%
Don’t know/no opinion	36%	18%	69%	9%	13%	30%	68%	71%

Q₅ Some professional and college sporting events have allowed fans, but with limited capacity. Do fans in the stands, even in a limited capacity, provide an advantage for the home team?

N=1,506	General Population	Sports Fan	Non-Fan	Avid Fan	Avg Fan	Casual Fan	Not a Fan	No Opinion
Yes, the fans provide an advantage	43%	53%	24%	62%	56%	45%	25%	14%
No, the fans do not provide an advantage	22%	25%	15%	27%	25%	25%	15%	16%
Don’t know/no opinion	35%	22%	61%	11%	19%	30%	60%	70%

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

Nearly 3 of 4 Americans Say They Won’t Attend Games Without Coronavirus Vaccine Developed

1 Reply

South Orange NJ, April 9, 2020 — While sports commissioners, governments and medical experts debate when to reopen sports leagues, a huge majority of Americans including a substantial majority of sports fans are prepared to stay home until the development of a vaccine for Coronavirus.

Asked what they would do if the leagues resumed play before the development of a vaccine, 72 percent of Americans said they would not attend games, with 12 percent saying they would if social distancing could be maintained. Only 13 percent said they would feel safe attending as in the past. Among sports fans the number drops to a still significant 61 percent.

Medical experts have repeatedly put the timeline for approval of a vaccine into 2021, although they have not ruled out an existing drug proving effective for treatment this year. Seventy-four percent of Americans thought it was possible, likely or very likely that sports would be cancelled for the rest of this year.

If the Policy of Social Distancing Continues into the Fall, Should NFL Start Up?
And if social distancing continues into the fall, 70 percent thinks the NFL should not start up to insure the players safety, with 20 percent saying the league should resume but allow the players to choose not to play, and only six percent saying the league should start up as planned.

These were the results of a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted this week among 762 Americans across the country on both landlines and cellphones. The Poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percent.

“This virus has the attention and respect of the nation,” noted Rick Gentile, director of the Seton Hall Sports Poll, which is sponsored by the Sharkey Institute within the Stillman School of Business. “Those who identify as sports fans, at all levels of interest, line up closely with the general population in regard to their own safety and that of the players.”

Play Games without Fans Present?
As for the possibility of playing games with no fans present, a similar number – 76 percent – said they would watch broadcasts of the games with the same interest as before, with only 16 percent saying they would be less interested and 7 percent saying they would be more interested.

Did Leagues Shut Down at the Right Time?
Make no mistake – sports fans miss their sports…but also respect the devastating power of the virus. Seventy-six percent said sports shut down at the right time, with 16 percent saying not quickly enough and six percent saying too quickly.

Olympics?
Eighty-four percent felt the IOC acted appropriately in postponing this year’s Olympic Games to 2021, with only 14 percent saying they acted too quickly.

Should Teams Pay Stadium Workers?
And asked whether teams have an obligation to pay daily arena and stadium workers for time missed because of the virus, 59 percent said yes and 33 percent said no.

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall has been showing the world what great minds can do since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous academic programs, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Seton Hall embraces students of all religions and prepares them to be exemplary servant leaders and global citizens. In recent years, the University has achieved extraordinary success. Since 2009, it has seen record-breaking undergraduate enrollment growth and an impressive 110-point increase in the average SAT scores of incoming freshmen. In the past decade, Seton Hall students and alumni have received more than 30 Fulbright Scholarships as well as other prestigious academic honors, including Boren Awards, Pickering Fellowships, Udall Scholarships and a Rhodes Scholarship. The University is also proud to be the third most diverse national Catholic university in the nation.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

About the poll:

The Seton Hall Sports Poll is conducted by the Sharkey Institute within the Stillman School of Business. This poll was conducted by telephone April 6-8 with 762 respondents, 348 from a landline frame and 414 from a cell frame by Braun Research Incorporated with remote live telephone interviewers being monitored by an all at-home staff. .

. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard landline and cell phones. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been conducted regularly since 2006.Recently chosen for inclusion in iPoll by Cornell’s Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, its findings have been published everywhere from USA Today, ESPN, The New York Times, Washington Post, AP, and Reuters to Fox News and most points in between.

Media: Media: Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com;
Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034

The results:

Do you think the US professional sports leagues acted too quickly in closing down their schedules, not quickly enough or acted at the right time?

1 – Too quickly                         6
2 – Not quickly enough             16
3 – Right time                              76
4 – Don’t know/No opinion                  2

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was originally scheduled to take place from late July to early August of this year but has been rescheduled to the same time period in 2021. Do you think the International Olympic Committee acted too quickly moving an event scheduled so far in advance?

1 – Yes 14

2 – No 84

3 – Don’t know/No opinion 3

If some form of social distancing is continuing in the fall do you think the NFL should:

1 – Start up as planned 6

2 – Start up but allow players to choose not to play                   20
3 – Not start up to ensure players safety                                      70
4 – Don’t know/No opinion                                                                4

It has been suggested that sports be cancelled through the end of 2020. How likely do you think this is a possibility?

1 – Very likely 12

2 – Likely 16

3 – Possible 46

4 – Won’t happen 24

5 – Don’t know/No opinion 2

If sports were to resume play later this year but before a vaccine for coronavirus is developed would you feel safe attending a game, only if there was restricted attendance and social distancing or not at all?

1 – Safe 13

2 – Safe but only if social distancing 12

3 – Not at all 72

4 – Don’t know/No opinion 3

Do you think professional teams have an obligation to pay daily arena/stadium workers for time missed because of the coronavirus?

1 – Yes 59

2 – No 33

3 – Don’t know/No opinion 7

For the remainder of 2020, do you think sports should eventually be played with fans present, played with restricted attendance practicing social distancing, played but with no fans present or sports should not be played at all

1 – Fans present 12

2 – Restricted attendance 23

3 – No fans present 21

4 – Not at all 40

5 – Don’t know/No opinion 5

If sports are played without fans will you be more interested, less interested or have the same interest in watching a broadcast of the game?

1 – More interested 7

2 – Less interested 16

3 – Same interest 76

4 – Don’t know/No opinion 2

How much would you say you miss having the opportunity to watch live sports, very much, some, not much or not at all?

1 – Very much 29

2 – Some 24

3 – Not at all 18

4 – Don’t know/No opinion 29

How closely would you say you follow sports, very closely, closely, not closely or not at all?

1 – Very closely 17

2 – Closely 37

3 – Not closely 26

4 – Not at all 20

MLB Perceived as Having Best Officiating Among Major Spectator Sports, Beating NFL by 64-48% Margin

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62 percent said legalized sports betting influences people’s reaction to officiating of NFL games; Democrats and Republicans Can agree on something: the quality of officiating.

South Orange NJ, October 29, 2019 — Despite seeing nearly half of all disputed calls reversed by video replay, Americans perceive the officiating of Major League Baseball better than any other major sport.

And what’s truly remarkable in this day and age of polarization, is that Democrats and Republicans are in agreement on whether officiating is good or terrible on a sport-by-sport basis.

“At last, something they can agree on,” noted Rick Gentile, director of the Seton Hall Sports Poll, which is sponsored by the Sharkey Institute within the Stillman School of Business. “The differences were negligible in almost every case.”

These are the findings of a Seton Hall Sports Poll, conducted last week among 703 adult Americans across the country on both landlines and cellphones. The Poll has a margin of error of +/-3.8 percent. (The margin of error for the smaller sample of Democrats and Republicans, 176 of each, is +/- 7.5 percent.)

Major League Baseball scored a 64 percent approval rating for umpiring, with only 3 percent saying it was terrible. And here we find 65 percent of Democrats saying it is good, and 67 percent of Republicans.

For the NFL, 48 percent rated the officiating as good (57 percent Democrats; 54 percent Republicans), but 27 percent called it terrible. A separate question, the suggestion of using replay on every call, found the public equally divided – 41 percent approving, and 42 percent disapproving, with 17 percent having no opinion. (While the parties can agree on officiating, they don’t agree on how to improve it. On this there was division by party, with 51 percent of Democrats approving of replay on every play, but only 27 percent of Republicans approving.)

The NBA had a 49 percent rating of “good” for its officiating; the NHL 44 percent; college basketball 48 percent, and college football 53 percent, all very close along party lines (see breakdown by party at the end of this release).

Percent saying that each sport has “good officiating.”

SPORT	DEM	REP
Major League Baseball	65	67
National Football League	57	54
National Basketball Assoc.	55	57
National Hockey League	43	45
College Basketball	55	60
College Football	65	67

Asked if legalized sports betting influences people’s reaction to officiating of NFL games, 62 percent said yes, 20 percent no and 18 percent don’t know – again, fairly equal along party lines.

About the poll:

This poll was conducted by telephone October 21-23 among adults in the United States. The Seton Hall Sports Poll is conducted by the Sharkey Institute within the Stillman School of Business. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard landline and cell phones. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been conducted regularly since 2006.Recently chosen for inclusion in iPoll by Cornell’s Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, its findings have been published everywhere from USA Today, ESPN, The New York Times, Washington Post, AP, and Reuters to Fox News and most points in between.

Media: Media: Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com;
Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034

The results:

The NFL has been criticized recently for a series of questionable calls by officials. One suggestion is to have a referee overseeing every call made or not made on video and confirming or overruling the call on the field. Do you approve or disapprove?

Dem Rep Ind Other

1 – Approve 41 51 27 43

2 – Disapprove 42 40 56 39

3 – Don’t know/No opinion 17 9 17 18

I’m going to read you a few sports. Tell me if you think the officiating is good or terrible:

Major League Baseball

1 – Good 64 65 67 63

2 – Terrible 3 2 7 3

3 – Don’t know/No opinion 33 33 27 33

National Football League

1 – Good 48 57 54 41

2 – Terrible 27 19 29 31

3 – Don’t know/No opinion 25 24 17 28

National Basketball Association

1 – Good 49 55 57 42

2 – Terrible 13 19 29 17

3 – Don’t know/No opinion 38 24 17 41

National Hockey League

1 – Good 44 43 45 45

2 – Terrible 6 6 6 5

3 – Don’t know/No opinion 51 52 49 50

College Basketball

1 – Good 48 55 60 38

2 – Terrible 9 8 3 13

3 – Don’t know/No opinion 44 37 37 49

College Football

1 – Good                                                                       53          65              67          41
2 – Terrible                                                                   12          8              13          14
3 – Don’t know/No opinion                                        34          26              20          45

Is sports betting, which has been legalized in many states, influencing people’s reaction to officiating of NFL games?

1 – Yes 62 64 62 60

2 – No 20 19 26 18

3 – Don’t know 18 18 13 22

Would you describe yourself as a Democrat, Republican, Independent or something else?

1 – Democrat 25

2 – Republican 25

3 – Independent 30

4 – Other 15

5 – Don’t know/No Opinion 4

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall has been showing the world what great minds can do since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous academic programs, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Seton Hall embraces students of all religions and prepares them to be exemplary servant leaders and global citizens. In recent years, the University has achieved extraordinary success. Since 2009, it has seen record-breaking undergraduate enrollment growth and an impressive 110-point increase in the average SAT scores of incoming freshmen. In the past decade, Seton Hall students and alumni have received more than 30 Fulbright Scholarships as well as other prestigious academic honors, including Boren Awards, Pickering Fellowships, Udall Scholarships and a Rhodes Scholarship. The University is also proud to be the third most diverse national Catholic university in the nation.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

NBA and China: 77% of American Public Tell Houston Rockets Owner to Keep and Defend his Tweeting GM

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Only 9% think GM should be fired; by 46-36% public supports Adam Silver’s handling; but 69% expressed concern that China has so much influence over an American professional League

South Orange NJ, October 25, 2019 — The American public strongly supports the Houston Rockets general manager’s tweet regarding Hong Kong and China’s rights conflict. (Daryl Morey, the GM, tweeted support for the Hong Kong protesters seeking freedom from Chinese oversight. The Chinese reacted with disdain and business with the NBA was threatened).

Only 9 percent of the public thought the Rockets GM, Daryl Morey, should be fired, with 77 percent saying the Rockets should keep him and defend his freedom of speech. 14 percent said they did not know or had no opinion.

In addition, 54 percent of the nation feels Daryl Morey should be applauded for taking a stand supporting the Hong Kong protesters, with only 19 percent saying he should not have sent the tweet because it risked valuable relationships over a foreign domestic issue. 27 percent did not know or had no opinion.

These are the findings of a Seton Hall Sports Poll, conducted this week among 703 adult Americans across the country on both landlines and cellphones. The Poll has a margin of error of +/-3.8 percent.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver first apologized for the tweet but later backtracked and showed support for freedom of speech. 46 percent of the public felt he handled it well, and 36 percent say he did not, with 18 percent saying they did not know or had no opinion.
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Nat’l Poll: 80% of Americans Support Legalized Sports Betting

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80% of Americans Support Legalized Sports Betting
And Disagree with Loophole Excluding “Home State” College Teams

South Orange, NJ, October 10, 2019 — Americans have embraced legalized betting on sports, bolstered by a Supreme Court ruling that okayed a state-by-state determination.

Fifty-five percent of the public supports the state-by-state process, with an additional 25 percent saying it should be legal in all states. The breakdown by age was dramatic for those saying it should be legal in all states, with 37 percent of ages 18-29 saying yes, but only 14 percent of those 60 and over agreeing.

The 55 percent approval of state-by-state marks a significant leap in less than a year, when a November 2018 Seton Hall Sports Poll found that only 40 percent of the nation felt it should be left to the individual states.

The combined “state-by-state” and the “legal in all states” adds up to an 80% approval for legalized sports betting. Only 16 percent say it should not be legal. In February 2017, only 46 percent of respondents said that betting on sports should be allowed (without including a differentiation between state-by-state and national).

The findings appear in a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted last week among 714 adult Americans on both landlines and mobile phones. The poll has a +/-3.8 percent margin of error.
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American Public Supports College Athletes Receiving Endorsement Money for ‘Image and Likeness,’ as Approved in California this Week

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American Public Supports College Athletes Receiving ‘Image and Likeness’ Endorsement Money, as Approved in California this Week

But Feels NCAA, not States, Should Oversee the Process

South Orange NJ, October 3, 2019 — The American public, by an almost 2-1 margin, believes that student athletes should be allowed to profit from the use of their name, likeness or image such as in the endorsement of a product.

Such was the finding of a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted this week, where 60% endorsed the idea with 32% rejecting it. Eight percent said they did not know, or had no opinion.

The Poll was conducted among 714 adult Americans across the country, either on landline or cellphone. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percent.

The timing of the Poll coincided with California Governor Gavin Newsom signing a bill that allows college athletes to hire agents and earn endorsement money.
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Poll: Equal Pay for Women’s Soccer; Women’s Tennis has More Followers than Men’s Tennis; More Men Follow Women’s Golf than Women.

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In a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted nationally last week, 83 percent of Americans said the women’s national soccer team should receive pay equal to the men’s team.

As has been reported, the U.S. women’s soccer team (winners of three World Cups and four Olympic Gold Medals) has sued the U.S. Soccer Federation over equal pay and comparable working conditions with the U.S. men’s team, who have not won any World Cups or Gold Medals. After being made aware of this, and then asked to choose a statement that comes closest to their view, 70 percent of the respondents said women should get equal pay to men in professional sports; 13 percent said women should get equal pay in soccer because of their greater success and seven percent said women should not get equal pay to men in professional sports. Ten percent had no opinion.
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Nearly 40 Percent of NCAA Tournament Viewers Will Watch Online; Twenty-two Percent of Those Who Watch Will Do so at Work

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South Orange NJ, March 21, 2019 – As Americans increasingly turn to online devices to follow news and sports, a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted this week reveals that 38 percent of those who will be watching the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament will do so either entirely or partially online.

The poll was asked of 606 adult Americans on both landlines and cellphones, with a margin of error of +/- 4.1%.

Of the men’s tournament, 38 percent of all Americans said they would be watching at least part of the coverage. Split by gender, 49 percent of men said they would be watching the tournament, and 29 percent of women said they would be watching.

Twenty-two percent of all respondents who will be watching also said they will watch the tournament while at work; among males that number rises to 29 percent.
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Many Think Settlement with Kaepernick is Admission of Collusion by NFL

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Many Think Settlement with Kaepernick is Admission of Collusion by NFL

45 percent of those polled across the nation said they believed the settlement with Colin Kaepernick was an admission of collusion by the NFL.

By 3-to-1, public thinks Kaepernick’s chance of a new contract in the NFL has now decreased.

South Orange NJ, March 4, 2019 – In a national poll, 45 percent of the public said that they believe the confidential settlement of Colin Kaepernick’s lawsuit against the NFL for collusion was essentially an admission of guilt on the part of the NFL. On the other side, 40 said it was not an admission. Of those polled, 15 percent said they did not know or had no opinion.

White people were evenly divided on whether the settlement amounted to an admission of collusion by the NFL, but African-Americans said they believe it is by a 3 to 1 margin.

Kaepernick is credited with beginning the “anthem protests” in the NFL which drew ire and even boycotts from many football fans as well as President Trump. Although a past poll had shown 32 percent of Americans supported Kaepernick’s protests, which were intended to draw attention to racism in America, roughly 44 percent disapproved, with the rest (24 percent) either having no opinion or not knowing.

In the same poll (September 28, 2017), when asked whether or not NFL players should be ordered to stand for the national anthem or be fired from the team as President Trump had suggested, only 18 percent responded “yes.”

Kaepernick became a free agent in early 2017 and was not hired by any NFL team. He brought suit against the NFL for collusion in keeping him out of the league. He was not hired for the 2018 season either.
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Did Zion’s Sneaker Explosion Hurt the Nike Brand? Nearly One in Five Say ‘Yes’

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Did Zion’s Sneaker Explosion Hurt the Nike Brand? Nearly One in Five Say ‘Yes’

Majority feels student athletes should be compensated by sneaker companies for wearing their brands; less support for them receiving pay for playing revenue producing sports

South Orange NJ, March 1, 2019 — It was the sneaker explosion heard round the world, when Duke’s Zion Williamson’s Nike went poof last week in a game against North Carolina. Did all the publicity hurt the Nike brand?

According to a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted this week, nearly 1-in-5 respondents said it was the indicator of the quality of the brand. More than two thirds, 67%, felt it was a one-time fluke.

“That’s a good percentage favoring the one-time mishap,” noted Rick Gentile, director of the Poll, which is sponsored by the Sharkey Institute within the Stillman School of Business. “But 18% (those who felt it represented the brand’s quality), is not a small number. Nike has some rebuilding work ahead – of its image, not just its sneakers.”

These were the findings of a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted this week, with questions asked of 794 adult Americans on landlines and cellphones, with a margin of error of +/- 3.5%.

Compensation for Student Athletes

Meanwhile, a majority of Americans believe that student athletes should be compensated by sneaker companies for the use of their brands in collegiate athletics if they are required to wear the brand, and that students in revenue producing sports – like football and basketball – should receive compensation on top of scholarships and cost of attendance stipends.

On the question of financial compensation for student athletes from sneaker companies – like Nike and Adidas – , the public says “yes” by a margin of 57-36%.

On the question of compensation for participation in revenue generating sports, the margin was closer, with 49% saying “yes” and 46% saying “no.” And while white respondents are in favor of “sneaker compensation” by a 54-41% margin, African-Americans are in favor by 3-1.
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Despite NFL Settlement, Nation Evenly Divided on Kaepernick Impact

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Despite NFL Settlement, Nation Evenly Divided on Kaepernick Impact

But by 3-to-1, public thinks his chance of a new contract in the NFL has decreased

South Orange NJ, February 28, 2019 — The confidential settlement of Colin Kaepernick’s lawsuit against the NFL finds the nation evenly divided on its impact on his protests.

In a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted this week, by a margin of 44-42%, the public says the settlement has not diminished the impact of his protest.

By 45-40%, the public believes the settlement is an admission by the NFL that collusion by NFL teams against him took place.

When the question of approval for Kaepernick was asked in September 2017, his support was only 32%, with disapproval at 44%.

While white respondents are evenly divided on whether the settlement diminished the impact of the protests, by 2 to 1 African-Americans believe that it does. Whites are also evenly divided on whether it the settlement is an admission of collusion by the NFL, but African-Americans believe it is by 3 to 1.

794 adult Americans were polled on both landlines and cellphones, a margin of +/- 3.5%.

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Poll: 70 Percent More Likely to Watch Game If They Wager on It

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As leagues move towards embrace of gambling, 70% say they’re more likely to watch a game if they wager, but 61% say it will lead to cheating or fixed games.

South Orange, NJ, November 30, 2018 — If you bet that wagering on a game leads to greater viewership – you’d be right. A survey by the Seton Hall Sports Poll has found that 70% of Americans say they would be more likely to watch a game they bet on.

In a week in which Major League Baseball announced a marketing partnership with MGM Resorts, the era of “No Betting Permitted” signs at ballparks is over, and the fans seem to love it.

But it is a double edge sword – 61% say they believe that legal betting on sports events leads to cheating or the fixing of games.

But oh that 70% of heightened interested in watching games is music to a sports league’s ears. Within that, the poll found that 88% of those age 18-29, the coveted demographic loved by sponsors and hardest to reach – would be more likely to watch if they placed a bet.

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Even in ‘Year of Women Running for Office,’ Americans Say Women Athletes Preferable to Politicians

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South Orange, NJ, November 1, 2018 — Even in a year filled with stories of women running for elected office more than ever before, Americans prefer women athletes as role models over women politicians by substantial margins, according to a poll conducted this week by the Seton Hall Sports Poll.

Asked who would make a preferable role model, the poll found that by more than a 2-1 margin, (54-24%) people said a professional or collegiate woman athlete over a female politician, and to the question, “if you had a daughter, would you prefer a career in politics or athletics,” 45% said athletics to 29% politics. The responses were generally consistent among men and women, with men saying “athlete” by 44-31% and women saying athlete by 45-27%.

Still, the importance of women seeking elected office was not overlooked. Asked if they would be more likely to watch a women’s athletic event or vote for a woman for Congress – 32% said vote for a woman, 7% said watch an athletic event, and 49% said equally likely.

The poll was conducted October 29-31 among 839 adults across the country, on landline and cellphone, with a margin of error of +/- 3.4%.

“Despite the media coverage of the number of women running, untarnished by years in office, the very idea of politicians as role models or politics as a career is not viewed favorably compared to athletics,” noted Rick Gentile, director of the poll, which is sponsored by the Sharkey Institute. “And given a choice of ‘neither’, only 14% opted for that, a surprisingly low number, given that the two fields are relatively new career paths.”

The poll also asked which women’s sports people were likely to watch, with tennis (33%), basketball (26%) and soccer (16%) leading the way.

Asked if they thought women have an equal opportunity to receive a college scholarship for athletics as men, respondents say yes by a slim 46-43% margin, but asked if women SHOULD have an equal opportunity, an overwhelming 95% said yes.

The Official Seton Hall Sports Poll podcast discussing this topic with Seth Everett and Rick Gentile can be found at https://itunes.apple.com/mt/podcast/seton-hall-sports-poll/id1053266467.

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall has been showing the world what great minds can do since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous academic programs, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Seton Hall embraces students of all religions and prepares them to be exemplary servant leaders and global citizens. In recent years, the University has achieved extraordinary success. Since 2009, it has seen record-breaking undergraduate enrollment growth and an impressive 110-point increase in the average SAT scores of incoming freshmen. In the past decade, Seton Hall students and alumni have received more than 30 Fulbright Scholarships as well as other prestigious academic honors, including Boren Awards, Pickering Fellowships, Udall Scholarships and a Rhodes Scholarship. The University is also proud to be the third most diverse national Catholic university in the nation.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

About the poll:

This poll was conducted by telephone October 29-31 among adults in the United States. The Seton Hall Sports Poll is conducted by the Sharkey Institute. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard landline and cell phones. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been conducted regularly since 2006.

Media: Media: Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com; Rick Gentile (917) 881-9489
Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034

The results:

Are you more likely to watch a professional women’s athletic event or vote for a women for congress or are they equally likely?

1 – Watch an athletic event: 7%
2 – Vote for a woman for congress: 32%
3 – Equally likely: 49%
4 – Don’t know/No opinion: 11%

How often do you watch women’s sporting events, frequently, occasionally, rarely or never?

1 – Frequently: 8%
2 – Occasionally: 33%
3 – Rarely: 33%
4 – Never: 26%
5 – Don’t know: 1%
(SKIP IF NEVER)

Which women’s sporting event are you more likely to watch: Tennis, golf, basketball, soccer or ice hockey?

(ONLY READ FOUR CHOICES BUT RECORD IF OTHER OR NONE)

1 – Tennis: 33%
2 – Golf: 8%
3 – Basketball: 26%
4 – Soccer: 16%
5 – Ice Hockey: 6%
6 – Other: 9%
7 – None: 1%
8 – Don’t know/No opinion: 1%

Whom do you think makes a better role model, a professional female athlete, a collegiate female athlete or a female politician?

1 – Professional athlete: 28%
2 – Collegiate athlete: 24%
3 – Politician: 26%
4 – Don’t know/No opinion: 22%

If you had a daughter would you prefer she pursues a career in politics or athletics?

1 – Politics: 29%
2 – Athletics: 45%
3 – Neither: 14%
4 – Don’t know/No opinion: 12%

Do you think women have an equal opportunity to receive a college scholarship for athletics as men?

1 – Yes: 46%
2 – No: 43%
3 – Don’t know/No opinion 11%

Do you think women SHOULD have an equal opportunity to receive a college scholarship for athletics as men?

1 – Yes: 95%
2 – No: 3%
3 – Don’t know/No opinion: 2%

How closely would you say you follow sports, very closely, closely, not closely or not at all?

1 – Very closely: 17%
2 – Closely: 29%
3 – Not closely: 37%
4 – Not at all: 16%

Roughly Half the Nation Feels Legalized Sports Betting Calls Integrity of Games into Question

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South Orange, NJ, May 16, 2018 — Concern over the integrity of sports results has gone hand in hand with the question of legalized gambling over the years, and Monday’s Supreme Court ruling, which ended the federal ban on sports wagering, has intensified the discussion even further.

The most recent Seton Hall Sports Poll (conducted April 23-25 among 736 adults in the U.S. with a +/- 3.7% margin of error), found that 48% feel legalized sports betting would negatively impact the integrity of sporting events.

This was consistent with a poll taken by the SHSP in 2014, when 49% answered affirmatively to the same question. When the question was posed in 2012, 53% said the sports integrity would be negatively impacted.

“People tend to be in favor of gambling on games, but a large number – nearly half the population, believes the outcome of games could be subject to questioning,” noted Rick Gentile, director of the poll, which is sponsored by the Stillman School of Business and its Sharkey Institute. “ Whether the games are fixed or not isn’t the question so much as whether public confidence is eroded. That’s a big problem for sports leagues.”

The Official Seton Hall Sports Poll podcast discussing this topic with Seth Everett and Rick Gentile can be found at https://itunes.apple.com/mt/podcast/seton-hall-sports-poll/id1053266467.

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall University has been a catalyst for leadership — developing students in mind, heart and spirit — since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 academic programs, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S.News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Seton Hall, which embraces students of all religions, prepares its graduates to be exemplary servant leaders and global citizens. Its attractive main campus is located in suburban South Orange, New Jersey, and is only 14 miles by train, bus or car from New York City, offering a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The university’s nationally recognized School of Law is prominently located in downtown Newark.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

About the poll:

This poll was conducted by telephone April 23-25 among 736 adults in the United States. The Seton Hall Sports Poll is conducted by the Sharkey Institute, with cell phone interviewing provided by Braun Research.

Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard landline and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been conducted regularly since 2006.

Media: Media: Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com;
Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034

The results of Seton Hall’s April poll:

Would you be in favor of legalized betting on sports events?

Yes 55%

No 35

Don’t know/No opinion 10

(IF NO TO ABOVE SKIP TO QUESTION 3)

Would you be in favor of betting on just professional events or should betting on collegiate events be legal as well?

Just professional 36

Both professional and collegiate 49

Don’t know/No opinion 15

Do you think legalized sports betting would negatively impact the integrity of sporting events?

Yes 48

No 42

Don’t know/No opinion 10

The US Supreme Court is about to rule on whether states should be allowed to legalize betting on sports events or whether it should be up to the federal government to decide. Do you think sports betting should be under state control or federal control?

State control 62

Federal control 27

Don’t know/No opinion 12

Supreme Court Decision on Sports Betting Aligns with Poll Findings

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South Orange, NJ– May 14, 2018
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the ban on sports betting is unconstitutional and leaving the decision in the hand’s of individual states, is in line with the Seton Hall Sports Poll’s findings on sports betting in America.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of New Jersey and, ultimately, in favor of legalized sports betting. By a margin of 55% – 35%, a full 20 points, the American public favors legalized betting on sports events, according to a poll conducted three weeks ago by the Seton Hall Sports Poll.

“The Supreme Court ruling is in synch with the trend the Seton Hall Sports Poll has tracked for several years now,” noted Rick Gentile, director of the poll, which is sponsored by the Stillman School of Business and the Sharkey Institute. “Our respondents more and more, are in favor of legalized sports betting and, moreover, want it out of the hands of federal government.”

The poll was conducted over landlines and cellphones to 736 randomly selected people across the country, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.7%.

The poll also asked whether people think that sports betting should be controlled by individual states, or by the federal government.

62% said sports gambling should be under state control, with
27% saying the federal government should control it.

Broken down by gender, men are much more inclined to support legalized betting,
with 63% saying yes.

Only 47% of women favored legalized betting.

Approval fell significantly by age, with 68% support from ages 18-29, down to 37% at age 60 and over. Similarly, the support number fell based on level of education, with 71% supporting legalized gambling among those who did not finish high school, to 39% for those with post-graduate degrees.

Those who favor legalized betting think it should cover both professional and college sports by a margin of 49% – 36%.

The results can be found here

The Official Seton Hall Sports Poll podcast discussing this topic with Seth Everett and Rick Gentile can be found at https://itunes.apple.com/mt/podcast/seton-hall-sports-poll/id1053266467.

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

About the poll:

The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been conducted regularly since 2006.

Media: Media: Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com;
Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 862-520-9639; 908-447-3034

The results:

Would you be in favor of legalized betting on sports events?

Yes 55%

No 35

Don’t know/No opinion 10

(IF NO TO ABOVE SKIP TO QUESTION 3)

Would you be in favor of betting on just professional events or should betting on collegiate events be legal as well?

Just professional 36

Both professional and collegiate 49

Don’t know/No opinion 15

Do you think legalized sports betting would negatively impact the integrity of sporting events?

Yes 48

No 42

Don’t know/No opinion 10

The US Supreme Court is about to rule on whether states should be allowed to legalize betting on sports events or whether it should be up to the federal government to decide. Do you think sports betting should be under state control or federal control?

State control 62

Federal control 27

Don’t know/No opinion 12

Americans Favor Legalized Sports Betting

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Americans Favor Legalized Sports Betting, But Also Believe it Impacts the Integrity of the Games

South Orange, NJ, April 26, 2018 — By a margin of 55% – 35%, the American public favors legalized betting on sports events, according to a poll conducted this week by the Seton Hall Sports Poll.

And by a margin of 48% – 42%, those same respondents feel that legalized betting would negatively impact the integrity of sporting events. Even among those favoring legalized gambling, one of three believes that it would have a negative impact.

“It’s outrageous when you think about it,” noted Rick Gentile, director of the poll, which is sponsored by the Sharkey Institute. “It comes close to saying ‘We don’t care about the legitimacy of the games, what matters is being able to bet on them. A majority favors gambling, and by a slimmer margin think the games might be fixed as a result.”

The poll was conducted over landlines and cellphones to 736 randomly selected people across the country, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.7%.

The poll also asked whether people feel that sports betting should be controlled by individual states, or by the federal government. (The U.S. Supreme Court is about to rule on that issue).

62% said sports gambling should be under state control, with 27% saying the federal government should control it.

Broken down by gender, men are much more inclined to support legalized betting, with 63% saying yes.

Only 47% of women favored legalized betting.

Those who favor legalized betting think it should cover both professional and college sports by a margin of 49% – 36%.

The Official Seton Hall Sports Poll podcast discussing this topic with Seth Everett and Rick Gentile can be found at https://itunes.apple.com/mt/podcast/seton-hall-sports-poll/id1053266467.

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

About the poll:

The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been conducted regularly since 2006.

Media: Media: Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com; Rick Gentile (917) 881-9489
Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034

The results:

Would you be in favor of legalized betting on sports events?

Yes 55%

No 35

Don’t know/No opinion 10

(IF NO TO ABOVE SKIP TO QUESTION 3)

Would you be in favor of betting on just professional events or should betting on collegiate events be legal as well?

Just professional 36

Both professional and collegiate 49

Don’t know/No opinion 15

Do you think legalized sports betting would negatively impact the integrity of sporting events?

Yes 48

No 42

Don’t know/No opinion 10

State control 62

Federal control 27

Don’t know/No opinion 12

63% Say they’ll Watch Olympics, 43% Plan to Use Live Stream

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Public says ‘yes’ to criminal charges for gymnastics and college officials in wake of Dr. Nassar trial; big pushback on NBA proposal for gambling on basketball.

S. Orange, NJ, February 7, 2018 — The Winter Olympics in South Korea may be 14 time zones removed from the Eastern Time Zone of the US — but 43% of Americans say they plan to watch NBC’s live streaming content during the Games, with only 48% saying they did not have such plans.

“That is a healthy number of people turning to devices other than television,” noted Rick Gentile, director of the poll, which is sponsored by the Sharkey Institute. “You might call this the breakthrough year for streaming coverage making a big impact.”

The poll was conducted January 29-31 with random calls to 706 adults on landlines and cellphones across the country, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.8%.

A big chunk of the country — 63% — say they will watch at least some coverage of the Games, which begin Friday, February 8. That is double those who said “no” (31%) to watching any coverage.

Asked if they would be more likely to buy a product advertising during the Olympics, 87% said it would make no difference, a number that advertising executives would surely debate. Five percent said they were “more likely” and 5% said “less likely” to buy the product.

Big Pushback on NBA Proposal for Gambling on Games in New York State

The Poll also asked people about a proposal from the NBA that would allow gambling on its games in New York State, using hand held devices and kiosks in addition to casinos and racetracks. (The league would receive one percent of all wagers). Asked if the league should be taking such an active role in promoting the legalization of sports gambling, 69% said “no” with only 16% saying “yes,” and 14% in the don’t know/no opinion category.

But there was a clear age difference in support of wagering. While only 7% of those 45-59 supported the New York State proposal, the number jumped to 19% for those 30-44 and 36 percent for those 18-29.

Criminal Charges for Gymnastics, College Officials in Wake of Dr. Nassar Trial?
A Resounding ‘Yes’ from the Public

Finally, the Poll asked whether Board members from U.S. Gymnastics Federation and officials at Michigan State University should face criminal charges for not acting on complaints from gymnasts regarding Dr. Larry Nassar, the American public shouted “yes” by 78% to just 6%, with 16% saying “don’t know or no opinion.”

“We have seen resignations in the wake of the Nassar conviction and sentencing,” said Gentile. “But public opinion says more punishment is needed, and this is really an overwhelming statement.”

The Official Seton Hall Sports Poll podcast discussing this topic with Seth Everett and Rick Gentile can be found at https://itunes.apple.com/mt/podcast/seton-hall-sports-poll/id1053266467.

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

About the poll:

This poll was conducted by telephone January 29-31 among 706 adults in the United States. The Seton Hall Sports Poll is conducted by the Sharkey Institute.

Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard landline and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been conducted regularly since 2006.

Media: Media: Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com;
Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034

The results:

1. A doctor who was employed by the U.S. Gymnastics Federation and practiced medicine at Michigan State University has been convicted of sexually abusing over 100 female gymnasts (including many minors) over a period of decades. As a result, the president and athletic director of Michigan State have resigned as has the entire board of the U.S. Gymnastics Federation. Do you think the gymnastics board members and university officials should face criminal charges for not taking action on the many complaints from victims?

1. Yes 78

2. No 6

3. Don’t know/No opinion 16

2. Do you plan on watching any television coverage of the Winter Olympics from South Korea that will begin on Feb. 8?

1. Yes 63

2. No 31

3. Don’t know 6

3. Many of the events during the Olympics will be live streamed by NBC. Do you plan to watch any of the live streaming content?

1. Yes 43

2. No 48

3. Don’t know 10

4. Would you be more likely to buy a product advertised during the Olympics, less likely or does it make no difference?

1. More likely 5

2. Less likely 5

3. No difference 87

4. Don’t know 3

5. The NBA has proposed a plan for sports gambling to the NY State Senate that would include the league receiving one percent of all wagers and allow wagering on handheld devices and in kiosks as opposed to just casinos and racetracks. Do you think a professional sports league should be taking such an active role in promoting the legalization of sports gambling?

1. Yes 16

2. No 69

3. Don’t know/No opinion 14

Professor Charles Grantham in The Undefeated and Wharton Business Radio on Athlete Anthem Protests

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Professor Charles Grantham, director of the Center for Sport Management, was featured in The Undefeated and on Wharton Business Radio on Sirius XM.

Grantham, who is the former Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association, published an essay in The Undefeated entitled, “Unions had better start doing their jobs to protect NFL players’ rights.”

In the essay, Grantham writes:

Colin Kaepernick’s act of protest in the backdrop of a presidential election, and now administration, where race is front and center has created a firestorm with regard to racial attitudes and relations in America.

The protest, using sports as the platform, has opened a conversation that is long overdue in America, and each day more people are brought into the debate offering support or disagreeing with the protest. Whatever your opinion, the‎re is still an “uncomfortable silence” from the segment of the sports community that can actually effect the very change Kaepernick, NFL players and other athletes are seeking….

Any solution to this protest will require the commissioners‎ and union leaders in both sports to demonstrate the courage currently displayed by the athletes and the bold thinking required to change status quo. While management and labor are most often adversaries, they are financial partners in a defined revenue sharing/salary cap business model because of the collective bargaining agreement. Thus, the biggest challenge to leadership on both sides of the aisle is to determine when and how outside forces affect revenue and franchise values.

On the Sirius XM Wharton School of Business radio show, “Knowledge@Wharton,” host Dan Loney led a roundtable discussion on the anthem protests as well as the rights and relative business interests of both players and owners. Along with Professor Grantham, the show featured Wharton Professor Emeritus and CEO of Global Sports Institute, Ken Shropshire; and Andrew Brandt, director of the Center for Sports Law at Villanova and NFL business analyst for ESPN.

You can hear the show in its entirety here.

Fifty-three Percent Say TV Revenue in NCAA Tournament Detracts from Academic Goals of a University

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Two Years of College vs One?
41% Favor Raising the Age Limit for NBA Eligibility;

Number who Say ‘Scholarship is Sufficient’ for Student-Athlete Compensation Trending Down

South Orange, NJ, March 23, 2017 — A clear majority of the American public believes that television revenue generated by the NCAA Basketball Tournament has turned collegiate athletics into too big a business, detracting from a university’s academic goals.

Fifty-three percent (53%) responded “yes” to that question in a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted this week among 739 adults across the country. Thirty-five percent (35%) responded “no.” The poll has a +/- 3.7% margin of error and is conducted with both landline and cellphone users. The poll is sponsored by The Sharkey Institute.

When asked, however, how much importance universities place on graduating basketball players – 58% said they believed the schools placed either a high or medium importance on graduation. This is about even (59%) from a similar Seton Hall Sports Poll taken five years ago.

Both the NBA Commissioner and the president of the NCAA have suggested raising the minimum age for eligibility in the NBA draft from 19 to 20. That essentially raises the commitment to college basketball from one year to two years. 19% thought it should remain at one year, but 41% favored two years. 26% said there should be no limits. When asked this question two years ago, 12% favored one year, and 56% two years with 23% saying no limits.

63% felt requiring an extra year of eligibility in college was a good thing, even if it meant losing a year of professional salary. 26% said no to the extra year requirement. When asked this question in 2014, 73% favored staying in school, a significant drop.

NUMBER WHO SAY ‘SCHOLARSHIP IS SUFFICIENT’ IS TRENDING DOWN

“Yes” Responses, 2012, 2013, 2017

45% of the nation felt student/athletes should not share in TV revenue or receive a salary for participating, with 40% saying they are exploited by not sharing in the revenue and should receive compensation. Men are more likely than women to believe that the students are being exploited, and people 18-44 are much more likely to believe that the students are exploited than those over 45.

60% felt providing a scholarship was sufficient for athletes, whereas 69% (2012) and 71% (2013) in previous Seton Hall Sports Polls felt providing a scholarship was sufficient. 35% believe the athletes should receive some form of salary or salary/scholarship.

“The public seems to be more sympathetic to increasing fees to student/athletes above scholarship,” noted Rick Gentile, Director of the Poll. “This is in sync with major conferences beginning to offer additional ‘cost of attendance’ aid to student/athletes.”

On the matter of whether people fill out a set of brackets or participate in a poll over this year’s tournament, 13% said they did. 35% of the nation says they follow the tournament either closely or very closely.

Interest in the tournament vs. the NBA playoffs is virtually even, with 30% saying they are more interested in the NCAA and 29% the NBA. But when asked the same question in 2014, 39% said the NCAA and only 22% said the NBA. In 2011, 44% said NCAA and 29% said NBA.

46% of respondents felt that most (or all) colleges break the rules in recruiting athletes, the same number as when the question was asked in 2013.

Asked who makes better role models and given a choice of five options, 52% said teachers, 17% said coaches, 9% said college athletes, 9% said pro athletes, and 3% said politicians.

A podcast in which Seth Everett interviews Rick Gentile can be downloaded at https://t.co/iRcZH6RBTQ

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

About the poll:

This poll was conducted by telephone March 20-22 among 739 adults in the United States. The Seton Hall Sports Poll is conducted by the Sharkey Institute.

Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard landline and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been conducted regularly since 2006.

Media: Media: Marty Appel Public Relations AppelPR@gmail.com;
Seton Hall University Associate Director of Media Relations, Michael Ricciardelli
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu; 908-447-3034

The results:

The commissioner of the NBA and the president of the NCAA have suggested raising the minimum age for eligibility to the NBA draft from 19 to 20. In effect this means players would have to attend two years of college instead of one year as it is now. Do you think the rule should be left as it is now at one year, change to two years, or have no limits for when a player can be drafted?

One year 19%

Two years 41

No limits 25

Don’t know 15

Do you think requiring another year of school for student/athletes is a good thing for them even though they could lose a year of pro salary?

Yes 63

No 26

Don’t know 11

Do you think student/athletes who participate in revenue generating sports should receive a salary from their school, a salary plus scholarship or do you think a scholarship is enough compensation?

Salary 6

Salary plus scholarship 29

Scholarship 60

Don’t know 5

Which of the following statements do you most agree with:

Student/athletes are given a great opportunity to be able to participate in the NCAA Tournament and should not share in TV revenue or receive a salary for their participation. 45

Student/athletes are exploited by the NCAA Tournament because they don’t share in the TV revenue and should receive a salary for their participation 40

Neither (DON’T READ) 3

Both (DON’T READ) 2

Don’t know 11

How closely have you been following this year’s NCAA Tournament, very closely, closely,

not closely or not at all?

Very closely 13

Closely 21

Not closely 30

Not at all 36

Did you fill out a set of brackets or participate in a pool involving money for this year’s tournament?

Yes 13

No 83

Refuse to answer 4

Do you think the selection process to participate in the tournament is fair to all division one schools or do you think schools from the major conferences have an advantage?

Fair 24

Major conf. have advantg. 46

Don’t know 30

Which event are you more interested in, the NCAA Tournament or the NBA playoffs or are you not interested in either?

NCAA Tournament 30

NBA Playoffs 29

Neither 34

Don’t know 7

Do you think the television revenue generated by the NCAA Tournament has turned collegiate athletics into too big a business that detracts from a University’s academic goals?

Yes 53

No 35

Don’t know 12

How much importance do you think universities place on graduating basketball players, a high importance, medium importance, little importance or no importance?

High importance 25

Medium importance 33

Little importance 21

No importance 8

Don’t know 13

How many college basketball programs do you think break the rules in recruiting athletes, all of them, most of them, very few of them or none of them?

All 9

Most 37

Very few 34

None 4

Don’t know 16

Do you think it hurts the game when colleges recruit athletes they know won’t stay for the full duration of their eligibility?

Yes 48

No 40

Don’t know 13

Who do you think make better role models, college athletes, pro athletes, coaches, teachers or politicians?

College athletes 9

Pro athletes 9

Coaches 17

Teachers 52

Politicians 3

Don’t know 10