The Korea Herald

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[Graphic News] Over half of Americans consider football ‘America’s sport’

By Nam Kyung-don

Published : Feb. 15, 2024 - 08:01

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Another round of football mania has swept the US, culminating in the victory of the Kansas City Chiefs over the San Francisco 49ers to win the Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 12.

For decades, the Super Bowl has been America’s most-watched television program, as football remained the most popular sport since 1972.

In comparison, baseball is seeing a general decline in popularity.

In 1960, 34 percent of Americans said baseball was their favorite sport, compared to 21 percent for football and 9 percent for basketball. But today, only 10 percent of Americans say baseball is their favorite sport, while 41 percent say football and 8 percent, basketball.

Recent surveys have shown that 27 percent of Americans still consider baseball as “America’s sport,” (more than the percentage of people who pick it as their favorite sport), but it seems the title of “America’s pastime” has been squarely taken over by football, which 53 percent of Americans picked as “America’s sport.”