{"id":33010,"date":"2024-10-09T16:20:16","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T16:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=33010"},"modified":"2024-10-09T19:08:14","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T19:08:14","slug":"best-metro-areas-football-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-metro-areas-football-fans\/","title":{"rendered":"Gridiron Greats: 2024\u2019s Best Metro Areas for Football Fans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What are the best metro areas to cheer on your favorite team and soak in game-day excitement?<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To celebrate the passion and energy of football fandom, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\">Lawn Love<\/a> ranked 2024&#8217;s Best Metro Areas for Football Fans.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We compared 203 of the biggest U.S. metros based on 4 categories. We considered the number of NFL, UFL, and NCAA Division I teams, social media followers, and season ticket prices, among 18 total metrics.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kick off your journey through our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the metro areas, see our <a href=\"#methodology\">methodology<\/a>.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"contents\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contents<\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"#rankings\">Rankings<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#top-5\">Top 5 close up<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#key-insights\">Key insights<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#ask-the-experts\">Ask the experts<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#methodology\">Behind the ranking<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#final-thoughts\">Final thoughts: Game on!<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rankings\">Rankings<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See how each metro area fared in our ranking:<\/p>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"03606a99-0c33-4a7c-b01f-7332f04fbd9a\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"LL: Ranking Table - 2024&amp;#39;s Best Metro Areas for Football Fans\"><\/div> <p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>   <p><iframe title=\"2024's Best Metro Areas for Football Fans\" aria-label=\"Map\" id=\"datawrapper-chart-VU7aT\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/VU7aT\/2\/\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;\" height=\"572\" data-external=\"1\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">!function(){\"use strict\";window.addEventListener(\"message\",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(\"iframe\");for(var t in a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"][t]+\"px\";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();\n<\/script><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top-5\"><span id=\"top-5-close-up\">Top 5 close up<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out the slideshow below for highlights on each of our top 5 metros.<\/p>   <div style=\"min-height: 535px\" class=\"ub_image_slider swiper-container wp-block-ub-image-slider\" id=\"ub_image_slider_0d3e073e-7ef4-4332-a650-fdec6445f9e5\" data-swiper-data='{\"speed\":300,\"spaceBetween\":20,\"slidesPerView\":1,\"loop\":true,\"pagination\":{\"el\": \".swiper-pagination\" , \"type\": \"bullets\", \"clickable\":true},\"navigation\": {\"nextEl\": \".swiper-button-next\", \"prevEl\": \".swiper-button-prev\"}, \"keyboard\": { \"enabled\": true }, \"effect\": \"slide\",\"simulateTouch\":false}'>             <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/AdobeStock_709943234_Editorial_Use_Only-1.png\" alt=\"AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, TX, home to the NFL Dallas Cowboys football team\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 1: <\/strong>Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>54.98<br><br><strong>Number of Football Stadiums &amp; Arenas: <\/strong>225 | Rank: 1<br><strong>Number of Grass Stadiums &amp; Arenas: <\/strong>74 | Rank: 1<br><strong>Number of NFL + NCAA Div. 1 + UFL Teams: <\/strong>6 | Rank: 1<br><strong>Number of High School Football Teams in The Top 300: <\/strong>18 | Rank: 1<br><strong>Number of Social Media Followers (NFL + NCAA Div. 1): <\/strong>18 million+ | Rank: 1<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&amp;filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&amp;k=dallas+cowboys+&amp;order=relevance&amp;search_page=1&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;acp=&amp;aco=dallas+cowboys+&amp;get_facets=0&amp;asset_id=709943234\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chad Robertson<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/AdobeStock_676543602_Editorial_Use_Only-1.png\" alt=\"SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, home to the NFL Los Angeles Rams and Chargers football teams\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 2: <\/strong>Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>46.50<br><br><strong>Number of NFL + NCAA Div. 1 + UFL Teams: <\/strong>4 | Rank: 8<br><strong>Number of High School Football Teams in The Top 300:<\/strong> 9 | Rank: 5<br><strong>Championship Titles (NFL + NCAA Div. 1): <\/strong>15 | Rank: 3<br><strong>Number of Super Bowls Hosted: <\/strong>8 | Rank: 3<br><strong>Season Ticket Prices - NFL<\/strong>: Starting at $760 | Rank: 17<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&amp;k=sofi+stadium+&amp;order=relevance&amp;limit=100&amp;search_page=1&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;acp=&amp;aco=sofi+stadium+&amp;get_facets=0&amp;asset_id=676543602\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Walter Cicchetti<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/AdobeStock_549327061_Editorial_Use_Only-1.png\" alt=\"NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, home to the NFL Houston Texans football team\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 3: <\/strong>Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>43.75<br><br><strong>Number of Football Stadiums &amp; Arenas: <\/strong>131 | Rank: 3<br><strong>Number of Grass Stadiums &amp; Arenas: <\/strong>52 | Rank: 3<br><strong>Number of NFL + NCAA Div. 1 + UFL Teams: <\/strong>7 | Rank: 2<br><strong>Number of Super Bowls Hosted: <\/strong>3 | Rank: 5<br><strong>Season Ticket Prices - NFL<\/strong>: Starting at $2,280 | Rank: 4<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4kclips<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\">License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/AdobeStock_386896189_Editorial_Use_Only-1.png\" alt=\"Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA, home to the NFL Atlanta Falcons football team\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 4: <\/strong>Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>37.55<br><br><strong>Number of Football Stadiums &amp; Arenas: <\/strong>171 | Rank: 2<br><strong>Number of Grass Stadiums &amp; Arenas: <\/strong>30 | Rank: 6<br><strong>Number of NFL + NCAA Div. 1 + UFL Teams: <\/strong>5 | Rank: 4<br><strong>Number of High School Football Teams in The Top 300:<\/strong> 16 | Rank: 2<br><strong>Number of Super Bowls Hosted: <\/strong>3 | Rank: 5<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&amp;k=atlanta+falcons+&amp;order=relevance&amp;limit=100&amp;search_page=1&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;acp=&amp;aco=atlanta+falcons+&amp;get_facets=0&amp;asset_id=386896189\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nate Hovee<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/AdobeStock_702506459_Editorial_Use_Only-1.png\" alt=\"MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, home to the NFL New York Giants and New York Jets football teams\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 5: <\/strong>New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>37.29<br><br><strong>Number of NFL + NCAA Div. 1 + UFL Teams: <\/strong>10 | Rank: 1<br><strong>Number of Social Media Followers (NFL + NCAA Div. 1): <\/strong>13 million+ | Rank: 4<br><strong>Championship Titles (NFL + NCAA Div. 1): <\/strong>13 | Rank: 6<br><strong>Number of Super Bowls Hosted: <\/strong>1 | Rank: 11<br><strong>Season Ticket Prices - NFL:<\/strong> Starting at $725 | Rank: 20<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&amp;k=MetLife+stadium+&amp;order=relevance&amp;limit=100&amp;search_page=1&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;acp=&amp;aco=MetLife+stadium+&amp;get_facets=0&amp;asset_id=702506459\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Julia Dorian<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div> <div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>         <\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-insights\">Key insights<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything is Bigger in Texas, and that includes football. <strong>Texas <\/strong>dominates the field, claiming <strong>2<\/strong> of the <strong>top slots<\/strong> with <strong>Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington <\/strong>(No. 1) and <strong>Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land <\/strong>(No. 3). <strong>Dallas<\/strong> takes home the trophy with the highest number of<strong> stadiums<\/strong> (including grass stadiums), <strong>high school football teams in the top 300<\/strong>, <strong>social media followers<\/strong>, and largest <strong>stadium capacity<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though <strong>Hammond, LA<\/strong>, (No. 199) <strong>Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC<\/strong>, (No. 200), <strong>Greenwood, MS<\/strong>, (No. 201) <strong>Hattiesburg, MS<\/strong>, (No. 202), and <strong>Houma-Thibodaux, LA<\/strong>, (No. 203) rank in the <strong>bottom 5<\/strong>, that doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re the worst places for football fans. They just don\u2019t quite measure up to the other metro areas, with <strong>none<\/strong> claiming an <strong>NFL or NCAA Division I<\/strong> football presence, except for <strong>Hattiesburg<\/strong>, home to the University of Southern Mississippi.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 id=\"standout-stats\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Standout stats<\/h3>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>San Antonio <\/strong>(No. 16) is in the huddle for <strong>future football expansion, <\/strong>already claiming a <strong>United Football (UFL) team<\/strong>. The city is designing a downtown sports <a href=\"https:\/\/news4sanantonio.com\/news\/local\/san-antonios-new-sports-district-plans-160-million-stadium-resident-relocation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">district<\/a> and revamping the <a href=\"https:\/\/sanantonioreport.org\/san-antonio-city-council-alamodome-upgrades-2025-final-four\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alamodome<\/a>. With growing social media chatter about whether <strong>San Antonio<\/strong> should get an <strong>NFL team<\/strong>, the buzz is real. Even former Mayor Henry Cisneros suggests that collaboration with <strong>Austin <\/strong>(No. 14)<strong> <\/strong>could be key, envisioning a Central Texas <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kens5.com\/article\/news\/local\/pro-football\/nfl-san-antonio-franchise-expansion-austin-cisneros\/273-8f4d36e1-5edb-460a-9d89-0d465f8d5631\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NFL team<\/a> with a stadium in New Braunfels or San Marcos.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>No ticket? No problem. Metros with the<strong> <\/strong>highest numbers of <strong>sports pubs<\/strong> provide the ultimate game-day experience without stepping foot inside a stadium. The <strong>Houston<\/strong> (No. 3), <strong>Dallas <\/strong>(No. 1), <strong>Los Angeles <\/strong>(No. 2), <strong>New York <\/strong>(No. 5), <strong>and Atlanta <\/strong>(No. 4) metro areas offer countless spots to watch the game with fellow fans.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>While most of the <strong>top 25<\/strong> metro areas boast an <strong>NFL team<\/strong>, 7 metros \u2014 <strong>San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad<\/strong> (No. 11), <strong>Columbus, OH, <\/strong>(No. 10), <strong>Oklahoma City<\/strong> (No. 13), <strong>Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown <\/strong>&nbsp;(No. 14), <strong>San Antonio-New Braunfels <\/strong>(No. 16), <strong>Eugene-Springfield, OR, <\/strong>(No. 22), and <strong>Ann Arbor, MI, <\/strong>(No. 21) \u2014 are scoring big without one. All of these football-loving cities, except for <strong>San Antonio<\/strong>, have <strong>NCAA Division I<\/strong> teams to rally behind<strong>.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>California<\/strong> and <strong>Florida<\/strong> are two <strong>MVPs of Super Bowl hosting<\/strong>, and <strong>New Orleans<\/strong> isn\u2019t far behind. <strong>Miami <\/strong>(No. 9) leads with <strong>11<\/strong>, followed closely by <strong>New Orleans <\/strong>(No. 24) with <strong>10<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Catch more game-winning insights <a href=\"#media-resources\">below<\/a>.<\/p>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ask-the-experts\"><span id=\"\"><\/span><\/h2>  <div id=\"experts-block\" class=\"experts\">     <h2 id=\"ask-the-experts\" class=\"text-2xl font-bold text-black mb-3\">Ask the Experts<\/h2>    <p>What makes the perfect football experience \u2014 and what are some factors (like stadium type or local support) that can make or break game day for fans?<\/p> <p>We turned to a group of experts for their best advice on everything from the pros and cons of grass versus turf fields to the growing influence of the United Football League and how sports tourism is transforming local economies. Deep dive into the world of football fandom with their insights below.<\/p> <ol> <li>Grass or turf football fields \u2014 what are three pros and cons of each?<\/li> <li>What are three ways the United Football League is impacting the American football industry?<\/li> <li>What are three unique ways to enjoy the game for fans without access to a local stadium?<\/li> <li>How do community members benefit from supporting their local college football team?<\/li> <li>Why do some regions invest significantly more in high school football than others?<\/li> <li>How can cities best take advantage of rising rates of sports tourism?<\/li> <li>What are the top three pros and cons for cities hosting big events like the Super Bowl or NFL Draft?<\/li> <\/ol>    <div id=\"experts-container\" class=\"relative lg:mt-6\" x-data=\"experts()\" x-init=\"init()\">      <style>       .expert-avatars {         scrollbar-width: none;         -ms-overflow-style: none;          \/* momentum scroll on iOS *\/         -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;          \/* disbable vertical scroll for touch *\/         touch-action: pan-x;       }        \/* hide scroll bar *\/       .expert-avatars::-webkit-scrollbar {         display: none;       }        .expert-avatars .item {         width: 125px;         flex-shrink: 0;       }        .expert-avatars .item:not(:last-child) {         margin-right: 10px;       }        \/* hacky fix for padding at the end of the.expert-avatars *\/       .expert-avatars .item:last-child {         position: relative;       }        .expert-avatars .item:last-child::after {         position: absolute;         left: 100%;         height: 1px;         width: 20px;         display: block;         content: \"\";       }        .trim-label {         max-height: 18px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials {         max-height: 18px;         width: 250px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials-small {         max-height: 18px;         width: 110px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        [x-cloak] {         display: none;       }     <\/style>      <div class=\"expert-avatars flex overflow-x-scroll overscroll-contain px-2 mb-10 lg:hidden\">                         <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('russ-crawford', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Russ-Crawford.jpg\" alt=\"Russ Crawford\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Russ Crawford <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Professor of History<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('charles-dt-macaulay', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Charles-Macaulay.jpg\" alt=\"Charles Macaulay\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Charles D.T. Macaulay <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Assistant Professor<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('brian-p-mccullough', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Brian-McCullough.jpg\" alt=\"Brian McCullough\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Brian P. McCullough <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Program Chair of Sport Management, Associate Professor<\/div>           <\/div>                   <\/div>                     <div           id=\"expert-russ-crawford\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'russ-crawford', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'russ-crawford'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('russ-crawford', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'russ-crawford', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'russ-crawford'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('russ-crawford', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Russ-Crawford.jpg\" alt=\"Russ Crawford\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'russ-crawford'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Russ Crawford <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'russ-crawford'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Professor of History<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'russ-crawford'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Ohio Northern University<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'russ-crawford'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('russ-crawford', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'russ-crawford'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('russ-crawford')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Russ-Crawford.jpg\" alt=\"Russ Crawford\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Russ Crawford <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Professor of History<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Ohio Northern University<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>Grass or turf football fields \u2014 what are three pros and cons of each?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Grass requires more upkeep, but the stats indicate it is safer. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced War Memorial Stadium would go back to grass this fall. Maybe that is part of the leading edge of change.<\/p> <p><strong>What are three ways the United Football League is impacting the American football industry?<\/strong><\/p> <p>The UFL might give a few players or coaches a chance to get noticed by the NFL. That&#8217;s happened with other minor leagues, but it still is rare.<\/p> <p><strong>What are three unique ways to enjoy the game for fans without access to a local stadium?<\/strong><\/p> <p>There are so many ways to consume football, but some fans make a hobby out of visiting as many stadiums as possible. That is usually more for baseball fans, but football people do it too. I am from north central Nebraska, so about 5 hours from Lincoln. It was a rite of passage to visit Memorial Stadium for a Cornhusker game. Sort of like Muslims visiting Mecca, it is the state religion.<\/p> <p><strong>How do community members benefit from supporting their local college football team?<\/strong><\/p> <p>I teach in Ohio, and as in my home state of Nebraska, following the college team gives one a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves. I love being at home and walking into a random gas station to see all of the Husker gear on display.<\/p> <p>One weird thing in Ohio is that there are stores that will sell both OSU Buckeye merchandise, and Michigan Wolverines in the same store. To me, that is like a Christian church having a donation box for Satanism. Ha.<\/p> <p><strong>Why do some regions invest significantly more in high school football than others?<\/strong><\/p> <p>I don&#8217;t know of many places that do not invest in HS football. A former colleague told me that it is different in Texas though. He told me that being a sports reporter there was strange because, during other sports seasons, reporters were still expected to write stories about high school teams&#8217; off-season weight lifting.<\/p> <p><strong>How can cities best take advantage of rising rates of sports tourism?<\/strong><\/p> <p>England and Ireland are getting big in that. England has several NFL games each year, and Ireland has held college games in the past several years. I suppose the best way to promote that is to have a fun place for players and fans to make a destination vacation to. London and Dublin are good. Manchester and Liverpool, maybe not so much.<\/p> <p><strong>What are the top three pros and cons for cities hosting big events like the Super Bowl or NFL Draft?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Other than traffic jams, and having to endure celebrities, there probably aren&#8217;t that many downsides to a Super Bowl or the Draft. The NFL holds them in already established venues or pays to build something, in the case of the draft. It is not like the Olympics which routinely turn into financial disasters for the host cities. The NFL events bring a great deal of money to town, without requiring city officials to do much, other than maybe increasing police patrols to deal with the tourist overflow.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-charles-dt-macaulay\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'charles-dt-macaulay', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'charles-dt-macaulay'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('charles-dt-macaulay', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'charles-dt-macaulay', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'charles-dt-macaulay'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('charles-dt-macaulay', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Charles-Macaulay.jpg\" alt=\"Charles Macaulay\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'charles-dt-macaulay'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Charles D.T. Macaulay <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'charles-dt-macaulay'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'charles-dt-macaulay'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Massachusetts Amherst\/ Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'charles-dt-macaulay'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('charles-dt-macaulay', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'charles-dt-macaulay'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('charles-dt-macaulay')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Charles-Macaulay.jpg\" alt=\"Charles Macaulay\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Charles D.T. Macaulay <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Massachusetts Amherst\/ Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>Grass vs. Turf Football Fields \u2014 What Are Three Pros and Cons of Each?<\/strong><\/p> <p><strong>Pros of Grass Fields:<\/strong><\/p> <ul> <li><strong>Player safety:<\/strong> Grass fields offer a more forgiving surface, reducing the risk of injuries that can occur on turf&#8217;s harder, less pliable surface. The natural &#8220;give&#8221; in grass helps prevent injuries when a player&#8217;s foot gets caught on the surface.<\/li> <li><strong>Impact absorption:<\/strong> Grass and soil tend to be softer \u2014 effectively absorbing the impact when a player falls, which can be crucial in preventing injuries.<\/li> <li><strong>Strategic advantage:<\/strong> Grass can be maintained and manipulated to suit a team\u2019s strategy. For example, some teams may grow the grass longer to slow down their opponent\u2019s running game, a tactic used historically in sports like football and soccer.<\/li> <\/ul> <p><strong>Cons of Grass Fields:<\/strong><\/p> <ul> <li><strong>High maintenance costs:<\/strong> Maintaining a grass field requires significant investment and labor. Regular mowing, watering, and other upkeep activities demand considerable resources.<\/li> <li><strong>Weather susceptibility:<\/strong> Grass fields are vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, damaging the playing surface and rendering it unsuitable for play.<\/li> <li><strong>Wear and tear:<\/strong> Over time, continuous use combined with weather conditions can turn a grass field into a surface filled with potholes, divots, or mud, increasing the risk of injuries.<\/li> <\/ul> <p><strong>Pros of Turf Fields:<\/strong><\/p> <ul> <li><strong>Low maintenance: <\/strong>Turf fields require significantly less upkeep compared to grass fields. Once installed, they need minimal maintenance, making them a more convenient option for many facilities.<\/li> <li><strong>Cost efficiency:<\/strong> While turf fields may have a higher initial installation cost, the reduced maintenance expenses over time make them more economical.<\/li> <li><strong>Aesthetic consistency:<\/strong> Turf fields maintain their appearance and functionality throughout the season. They can also provide unique branding opportunities, such as the iconic blue turf at Boise State University, enhancing a team\u2019s identity.<\/li> <\/ul> <p><strong>How Does the United Football League Impact the American Football Industry?<\/strong><\/p> <p>The United Football League (UFL) provides several benefits to the American football industry:<\/p> <p><strong>Player development:<\/strong> The UFL offers players, particularly younger athletes, a platform to showcase their talents and gain valuable game experience against high-quality competition. This is crucial for those who need to refine their skills before advancing to higher levels of play.<\/p> <p><strong>Innovation space: <\/strong>The UFL serves as a testing ground for new rules and regulations, which can improve player safety and make the game more exciting. If successful, these experiments can later be adopted by other leagues.<\/p> <p><strong>What Are Three Unique Ways for Fans to Enjoy the Game Without Access to a Local Stadium?<\/strong><\/p> <p><strong>Over-the-top (OTT) streaming services: <\/strong>OTT platforms revolutionize how fans engage with sports. Features such as multi-screen viewing and behind-the-scenes social media interactions offer an immersive experience that can rival attending a game in person.<\/p> <p><strong>Hosting viewing parties: <\/strong>Gathering friends and family for major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl or the Final Four, can create a festive atmosphere that enhances the viewing experience. Good food, drinks, and lively company can make watching the game at home as enjoyable as being at the stadium.<\/p> <p><strong>Local sports bars:<\/strong> Finding a local bar or restaurant to watch the game can replicate the excitement of a live event. The communal atmosphere often mirrors the stadium&#8217;s energy and it&#8217;s a great way to meet fellow fans.<\/p> <p><strong>How Do Community Members Benefit from Supporting Their Local College Football Team?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Supporting a local college football team extends beyond just attending games; it\u2019s about participating in a cultural event that unites the community.<\/p> <p>Here are the key benefits:<\/p> <ul> <li><strong>Cultural engagement:<\/strong> College football is often surrounded by many traditions, from pre-game tailgates to post-game celebrations. These activities create a shared cultural experience that strengthens community bonds.<\/li> <li><strong>Economic impact:<\/strong> Local businesses, from restaurants to retail shops, often see increased activity on game days, boosting the local economy.<\/li> <li><strong>Community pride:<\/strong> A successful college football team can enhance the reputation of the university and the town, fostering a sense of pride and identity among residents.<\/li> <\/ul> <p><strong>Why Do Some Regions Invest Significantly More in High School Football Than Others?<\/strong><\/p> <p>The level of investment in high school football varies greatly depending on cultural and regional factors.<\/p> <p><strong>Cultural significance<\/strong>: In some regions, particularly in the South, football is more than just a game; it is a way of life. Communities derive a strong sense of identity from their high school football programs, which often serve as a focal point for local pride.<\/p> <p><strong>Lack of alternatives:<\/strong> High school football may be the primary outlet for live sports entertainment in areas without nearby college or professional teams, leading to more significant investment and community involvement.<\/p> <p><strong>Tradition and community events:<\/strong> High school football games often serve as the centerpiece of community events, including pep rallies, cookouts, and post-game gatherings, which further justify the investment in these programs.<\/p> <p><strong>How Can Cities Best Take Advantage of Rising Rates of Sports Tourism?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Cities looking to capitalize on the growing trend of sports tourism should consider the following strategies:<\/p> <ul> <li><strong>Identify market needs:<\/strong> Cities should focus on understanding the specific sports needs of their area to avoid over-saturating the market with facilities that may not be used. Tailoring investments to underserved sports can help attract a steady stream of visitors.<\/li> <li><strong>Invest in infrastructure:<\/strong> Once a sport is identified, cities should invest in the necessary infrastructure and dedicated staff to maximize usage. This includes organizing events, tournaments, and training sessions that attract participants from the local community and beyond.<\/li> <li><strong>Enhance ancillary services: <\/strong>To keep visitors engaged, cities should offer high-quality restaurants, entertainment options, and attractions that encourage spending and extend visitors&#8217; stays.<\/li> <\/ul> <p><strong>What Are the Top Three Pros and Cons for Cities Hosting Big Events Like the Super Bowl or NFL Draft?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Hosting major sporting events can be a double-edged sword for cities.<\/p> <p>Pros:<\/p> <ul> <li><strong>Marketing exposure:<\/strong> Major events like the Super Bowl or NFL Draft provide a unique opportunity to showcase the city to a global audience, potentially boosting tourism and investment in the long term.<\/li> <li><strong>Economic stimulus:<\/strong> These events can generate significant economic activity, with increased demand for local services such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation.<\/li> <li><strong>Community engagement:<\/strong> Hosting a significant event can enhance community pride and engagement as residents come together to support the event and showcase their city.<\/li> <\/ul> <p>Cons:<\/p> <ul> <li><strong>High costs: <\/strong>The hosting costs can be substantial, often surpassing initial estimates. These expenses include infrastructure upgrades, security, and event management, which may not be fully recouped.<\/li> <li><strong>Resource strain:<\/strong> Major events can strain a city\u2019s resources, including public services and infrastructure, potentially disrupting residents&#8217; lives.<\/li> <li><strong>Uncertain return on investment:<\/strong> The long-term benefits of hosting a significant event are not always guaranteed, and cities must carefully weigh the potential risks and rewards.<\/li> <\/ul>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-brian-p-mccullough\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'brian-p-mccullough', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'brian-p-mccullough'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('brian-p-mccullough', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'brian-p-mccullough', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'brian-p-mccullough'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('brian-p-mccullough', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Brian-McCullough.jpg\" alt=\"Brian McCullough\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'brian-p-mccullough'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Brian P. McCullough <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'brian-p-mccullough'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Program Chair of Sport Management, Associate Professor<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'brian-p-mccullough'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Michigan School of Kinesiology<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'brian-p-mccullough'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('brian-p-mccullough', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'brian-p-mccullough'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('brian-p-mccullough')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Brian-McCullough.jpg\" alt=\"Brian McCullough\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Brian P. McCullough <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Program Chair of Sport Management, Associate Professor<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Michigan School of Kinesiology<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>Grass or turf football fields \u2014 what are three pros and cons of each?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Grass pros:<\/p> <ul> <li>Grass offers more give to prevent some injuries that may be incurred from artificial turf.<\/li> <li>Natural turf has lower environmental impacts.<\/li> <li>The cost is roughly the same as synthetic turf despite popular belief.<\/li> <li>Desired more by the NFLPA than synthetic turf.<\/li> <\/ul> <p>Turf pros:<\/p> <ul> <li>Can recover from rain better.<\/li> <li>Predictable aesthetics.<\/li> <li>Can be used in all types of venues (indoor\/outdoor).<\/li> <\/ul> <p><strong>What are three ways the United Football League is impacting the American football industry?<\/strong><\/p> <p>The UFL has created more opportunities for players to play professional football. This also offers fans the same benefits to watch football outside the traditional NFL and NCAA seasons.<\/p> <p><strong>What are three unique ways to enjoy the game for fans without access to a local stadium?<\/strong><\/p> <p>1. Viewing games at home has never been better with the broadcasting abilites to convey a lot of information to fans when viewing at home.<\/p> <p>2. Fans can have more opportunities to watch other teams.<\/p> <p>3. It can be more economical to watch games from home.<\/p> <p><strong>How do community members benefit from supporting their local college football team?<\/strong><\/p> <p><strong>Why do some regions invest significantly more in high school football than others?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Local football teams in smaller communities have become the central hub for the community. There are some communities that have invested heavily in these facilities because it is deemed a stronger community value than in other larger communities where there may be other properties.<\/p> <p><strong>How can cities best take advantage of rising rates of sports tourism?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Cities should encourage such events and tourism to boost the tax base through hotel stays and increased usage of public facilities and community businesses.<\/p> <p><strong>What are the top three pros and cons for cities hosting big events like the Super Bowl or NFL Draft?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Hosting these one-off events are great ways to highlight your city or state. It can drive immediate sport tourism surrounding the event and offer social and economic benefits to the surrounding community.<\/p> <p>With these events, there are downsides like crowding in the area surrounding these mega-events and the environmental impacts that accompany new people in the region.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>              <\/div> <\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"methodology\"><span id=\"behind-the-ranking\">Behind the ranking<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Best Metro Areas for Football Fans. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 4 categories:&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Infrastructure<\/li>    <li>Fan Experience<\/li>    <li>Economic and Institutional Impact<\/li>    <li>Climate<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For each of the 203 biggest U.S. metros, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each metro to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A metro\u2019s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked \u201cBest\u201d (No. 1) and the lowest \u201cWorst\u201d (No. 203).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>The \u201cWorst\u201d among individual factors may not be No. 203 due to ties.<br><\/li>    <li>Being at the bottom of the ranking doesn\u2019t mean the metro is bad for football fans \u2014 these metro areas just don\u2019t score as highly as others in certain metrics.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"ed377e0b-1db2-4bc8-b345-b3f850be2462\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"LL: Methodology Table - 2024&amp;#39;s Best Metro Areas for Football Fans\"><\/div> <p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Sources:<\/em><\/strong><em> StadiumDB.com, StadiumConnection.com, ESPN, The Sporting News, On3, HSFA, NFL, Bloomberg Law, Yelp, NCAA, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Fox Sports, Statista, Pro Football Reference, and National Centers for Environmental Information.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts\"><span id=\"final-thoughts-game-on\">Final thoughts: Game on!<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re cheering under the Friday night lights or gathering around the TV for Sunday\u2019s big game, football isn\u2019t just a sport \u2014 it\u2019s a way of life for many Americans.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportico.com\/business\/tech\/2024\/turf-grass-science-improvements-nfl-stadiums-1234796307\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debate<\/a> over grass versus turf fields continues in the NFL, with players often favoring the softer, injury-reducing benefits of grass, while team owners appreciate the durability and cost efficiency of synthetic turf. The conversation is far from over as advancements in both surfaces continue to shape the game.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the rise of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theufl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">United Football League<\/a> (UFL) adding more competition to the game, football fans now have more teams to follow and reasons to celebrate. The UFL\u2019s growth is giving young players a chance to showcase their skills and expanding football\u2019s reach across the country.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re a die-hard football fan or a newly converted Swiftie, the recent Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce buzz has brought a whole new <a href=\"https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/taylor-swift-helped-boost-nfl-ratings-but-her-power-extends-far-beyond-the-league-180303062.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">audience<\/a> to the NFL. With millions of new viewers tuning in and merchandise <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/taylor-swift-much-money-she-131817659.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sales<\/a> skyrocketing, even those more familiar with pop hits than Hail Marys are joining in.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can\u2019t make it to a stadium? Explore some ways to make game day even better in your own backyard:&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Set up a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/patio-cost\/\">cozy patio<\/a> with plenty of seating for watching the game.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Invest in an <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-cities-outdoor-grilling\/\">outdoor grill<\/a> and smoker station to create the perfect BBQ spread.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Install a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/fire-pit-cost\/\">fire pit<\/a> for those chilly night games.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Use a projector and screen to recreate a stadium experience outdoors.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Add an <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/outdoor-kitchen-cost\/\">outdoor kitchen<\/a> for easy access to essential game day refreshments.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Too worn out from tailgating and cheering on your team to handle the yard work? <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\"><em>Hire a Lawn Love crew<\/em><\/a><em> to take care of it while you kick back and relax.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"media-resources\">Media Resources<\/h2>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-7740125a-bea8-4e6c-a7e9-aadafe1a9048\" data-mobilecollapse=\"true\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-ef7f8ff6-9f2f-4a97-bfd8-0762f411a361\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-7740125a-bea8-4e6c-a7e9-aadafe1a9048\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-7740125a-bea8-4e6c-a7e9-aadafe1a9048\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Quotes from Lawn Love Editor-in-Chief Sharon Sullivan<\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-7740125a-bea8-4e6c-a7e9-aadafe1a9048\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Los Angeles-Long-Beach-Anaheim<\/strong> (No. 2) may have fewer stadiums and fewer grass options, but its <strong>unbeatable weather <\/strong>makes it a game-day favorite<strong>.<\/strong><br><\/li>    <li>The <strong>South <\/strong>dominates when it comes to high school football powerhouses, with some of the <strong>highest numbers of high school football teams in the top 300<\/strong>. Metros like <strong>Atlanta <\/strong>(No. 4), <strong>Miami <\/strong>(No. 9), and <strong>New Orleans <\/strong>(No. 24), are football hotbeds, consistently producing top-tier talent with deep-rooted football traditions.<br><\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>When it comes to shelling out for <strong>season tickets, <\/strong>football fans in certain metros are digging deep. <strong>Eugene-Springfield, OR<\/strong> (No.22 ), <strong>State College, PA<\/strong>, (No. 33), and <strong>Gainesville, FL,<\/strong> (No. 87) boast the <strong>highest NCAA Division I season ticket prices<\/strong>, where college football is king. On the NFL side, <strong>Kansas City, KS-MO,<\/strong> (No. 20), <strong>Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV<\/strong>, (No. 15), and <strong>Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN<\/strong>, (No. 17) take the crown for the <strong>priciest season passes<\/strong>.<br><\/li>    <li>In the world of championship titles, <strong>3 metros<\/strong> are all about the <strong>college game<\/strong>. <strong>New Haven-Milford, CT, <\/strong>(Yale), <strong>Tuscaloosa, AL, <\/strong>(University of Alabama), and <strong>Trenton-Princeton, NJ,<\/strong> (Princeton) dominate the ranking with the most <strong>championship titles<\/strong>.<br><\/li>    <li>In the <strong>Northeast, <\/strong>football roots run deep with some of the <strong>oldest teams<\/strong> calling this region home. From the iconic Ivy League programs in <strong>Trenton-Princeton, NJ, <\/strong>(No. 37) and <strong>New Haven-Milford, CT, <\/strong>(No. 35), to historic teams in places like <strong>Springfield, MA, <\/strong>(No. 172), and <strong>Lewisburg, PA, <\/strong>(No. 181), the legacy of football is alive and kicking.<br><\/li>    <li>Stability is the name of the game in these metros, with <strong>coaches sticking around longer<\/strong> than most. <strong>Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY,<\/strong> (No. 31), <strong>Huntsville, TX<\/strong>, (No. 68), <strong>Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY<\/strong>, (No. 103), <strong>Erie, PA<\/strong>, (No. 143), and <strong>Colorado Springs<\/strong> (No. 91) lead the pack, where <strong>NFL or NCAA Division I<\/strong> coaches put down roots for the long haul.<br><\/li>    <li>Despite ranking high overall, <strong>Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta<\/strong> (No. 4) and <strong>Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach<\/strong> (No. 9) have some of the <strong>youngest teams<\/strong> in the ranking, with <strong>Atlanta <\/strong>coming in at <strong>187th<\/strong> and <strong>Miami<\/strong> at <strong>194th<\/strong> for average team age.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1DAez0eoaXqlbpkyhL553MwV4C0eEHQeRndj6mexkXWs\/edit#gid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High-resolution images of cities<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Main Photo Credit:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&amp;hide_panel=true&amp;k=football&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;asset_id=226202870\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flamingo Images<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Which metro areas are a football fan&#8217;s dream? Discover 2024\u2019s Best Metro Areas for Football fans and find out where the game-day excitement is at its peak.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":33011,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[169],"tags":[348],"class_list":["post-33010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-studies","tag-studies"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/AdobeStock_226202870-1.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Kimberly Magerl","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/kimberly-magerl\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33010"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33010\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}