Average local ratings for teams in the NBA, Major League Baseball and the NHL. NBA and NHL data is from the 2009-10 season, while MLB data is from the 2009 season.
The Red Sox and Yankees split the honors as the top draws among the non-NFL team sports. The Red Sox averaged the highest rating (9.46 on NESN), and the Yankees averaged the most households (346,000 on YES).
The top five teams in average ratings were the aforementioned Red Sox, the Cavaliers (8.59), the Penguins (8.05), the Cardinals (7.97) and the Phillies (7.13).
Due to market size, three of those five teams — the Cavaliers, Penguins and Cardinals — were not among the top five in households. They were replaced by the Yankees, Lakers (200,000 HHs) and Mets (200,000 HHs).
In 20 markets where at least two of the leagues were represented, Major League Baseball teams averaged the highest rating 16 times. NBA and NHL teams were the highest rated in two markets each (NBA: Los Angeles and Cleveland, NHL: Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.).
Isolating the NBA and NHL, hockey teams topped their basketball counterparts in five markets: Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Detroit and Minneapolis. The NBA topped the NHL in nine markets: New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, the Bay Area, Boston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver and Miami.
Highest Rated NBA, MLB and NHL Teams in Local Markets
Numbers unavailable for Hornets, Kings, Jazz, Hurricanes, Predators, and Canadian teams
| # | By Rating | By # of Households | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net | Team | Rating | Net | Team | HHs (000) | |
| 1 | NESN | Red Sox |
9.46
|
YES | Yankees |
346
|
| 2 | FS Ohio | Cavaliers |
8.59
|
NESN | Red Sox |
228
|
| 3 | FSN Pittsburgh | Penguins |
8.05
|
CSN Philadelphia | Phillies |
210
|
| 4 | FS Midwest | Cardinals |
7.97
|
FS West | Lakers |
200
|
| 5 | CSN Philadelphia | Phillies |
7.13
|
SportsNet New York | Mets |
200
|
| 6 | FS Detroit | Tigers |
6.89
|
CSN Chicago | Cubs |
145
|
| 7 | FS Southwest | Spurs |
6.61
|
FS Detroit | Tigers |
133
|
| 8 | MSG | Sabres |
6.45
|
FS Ohio | Cavaliers |
131
|
| 9 | FS North | Twins |
6.25
|
FS Prime Ticket | Dodgers |
122
|
| 10 | FS Wisconsin | Brewers |
6.16
|
FS North | Twins |
108
|
| 11 | FSN Northwest | Mariners |
5.20
|
FS Midwest | Cardinals |
100
|
| 12 | YES | Yankees |
4.66
|
FSN Northwest | Mariners |
95
|
| 13 | FS Detroit | Red Wings |
4.21
|
FSN Pittsburgh | Penguins |
93
|
| 14 | CSN Chicago | Cubs |
4.16
|
CSN Chicago | Blackhawks |
86
|
| 15 | FSN Rocky Mountain | Rockies |
4.12
|
FS South | Braves |
83
|
| 16 | FS Ohio | Reds |
3.81
|
CSN Chicago | Bulls |
82
|
| 17 | Cox/SD4 | Padres |
3.80
|
SportSouth | Braves |
81
|
| 18 | FS West | Lakers |
3.54
|
CSN Bay Area | Giants |
81
|
| 19 | SUN Sports | Rays |
3.54
|
FS Detroit | Red Wings |
80
|
| 20 | FS South | Braves |
3.52
|
CSN Chicago | White Sox |
80
|
| 21 | CSN Northwest | Blazers |
3.52
|
CSN New England | Celtics |
75
|
| 22 | SportSouth | Braves |
3.42
|
MSG | Knicks |
71
|
| 23 | FS Florida | Marlins |
3.33
|
FS West | Angels |
69
|
| 24 | FS Arizona | Diamondbacks |
3.32
|
MSG | Rangers |
67
|
| 25 | CSN Bay Area | Giants |
3.27
|
SUN Sports | Rays |
65
|
| 26 | FSN Pittsburgh | Pirates |
3.25
|
CSN Philadelphia | Flyers |
64
|
| 27 | Sun Sports | Marlins |
3.23
|
FSN Rocky Mountain | Rockies |
63
|
| 28 | FS Arizona | Suns |
3.18
|
FS Southwest | Rangers |
63
|
| 29 | FS Florida | Rays |
3.13
|
FS Arizona | Diamondbacks |
62
|
| 30 | CSN New England | Celtics |
3.11
|
FS Houston | Astros |
61
|
| 31 | FS Kansas City | Royals |
3.09
|
FS Southwest | Mavericks |
61
|
| 32 | FS Houston | Astros |
2.90
|
FS Arizona | Suns |
60
|
| 33 | MASN/MASN2 | Orioles |
2.90
|
FS Houston | Rockets |
60
|
| 34 | SportsTime Ohio | Indians |
2.84
|
FS Florida | Rays |
57
|
| 35 | FS Houston | Rockets |
2.83
|
FS Wisconsin | Brewers |
56
|
| 36 | Altitude | Nuggets |
2.78
|
FS Southwest | Spurs |
55
|
| 37 | SportsNet New York | Mets |
2.69
|
NESN | Bruins |
53
|
| 38 | FS Southwest | Rangers |
2.54
|
FS Florida | Marlins |
52
|
| 39 | Sun Sports | Heat |
2.48
|
Sun Sports | Marlins |
50
|
| 40 | CSN Chicago | Blackhawks |
2.45
|
SportSouth | Hawks |
46
|
| 41 | FS Southwest | Mavericks |
2.41
|
SportsTime Ohio | Indians |
43
|
| 42 | CSN Chicago | Bulls |
2.35
|
Altitude | Nuggets |
43
|
| 43 | FS Midwest | Blues |
2.33
|
MSG+ | Devils |
43
|
| 44 | CSN Chicago | White Sox |
2.28
|
CSN Northwest | Blazers |
42
|
| 45 | FS Wisconsin | Bucks |
2.27
|
MSG | Sabres |
41
|
| 46 | CSN Philadelphia | Flyers |
2.18
|
Cox/SD4 | Padres |
41
|
| 47 | NESN | Bruins |
2.18
|
FS South | Hawks |
40
|
| 48 | FS Prime Ticket | Dodgers |
2.15
|
FSN Pittsburgh | Pirates |
38
|
| 49 | FS Tennessee | Grizzlies |
2.13
|
Sun Sports | Heat |
38
|
| 50 | Sun Sports | Magic |
2.10
|
FS Detroit | Pistons |
37
|
| 51 | FS Detroit | Pistons |
1.98
|
CSN Mid-Atlantic | Capitals |
37
|
| 52 | SportSouth | Hawks |
1.93
|
CSN Philadelphia | 76ers |
37
|
| 53 | FS Oklahoma | Thunder |
1.91
|
FS Ohio | Reds |
35
|
| 54 | FS North | Wild |
1.67
|
CSN Bay Area | Warriors |
34
|
| 55 | FS South | Hawks |
1.66
|
MASN/MASN2 | Orioles |
32
|
| 56 | FS Midwest | Pacers |
1.63
|
Sun Sports | Magic |
31
|
| 57 | CSN Mid-Atlantic | Capitals |
1.60
|
FS Kansas City | Royals |
29
|
| 58 | FS Florida | Magic |
1.57
|
FS Midwest | Blues |
29
|
| 59 | Altitude | Avalanche |
1.56
|
FS North | Wild |
29
|
| 60 | FS Ohio | Blue Jackets |
1.39
|
CSN Mid-Atlantic | Wizards |
28
|
| 61 | CSN Bay Area | Warriors |
1.35
|
CSN California | Sharks |
28
|
| 62 | CSN Philadelphia | 76ers |
1.24
|
FS West | Kings |
27
|
| 63 | FS West | Angels |
1.22
|
MSG+ | Islanders |
27
|
| 64 | CSN Mid-Atlantic | Wizards |
1.18
|
FS Prime Ticket | Clippers |
25
|
| 65 | CSN California | Sharks |
1.11
|
Altitude | Avalanche |
24
|
| 66 | MSG | Knicks |
0.95
|
FS Prime Ticket | Ducks |
24
|
| 67 | FS Carolinas | Bobcats |
0.93
|
FS Florida | Magic |
23
|
| 68 | MSG | Rangers |
0.89
|
YES | Nets |
22
|
| 69 | CSN California | Athletics |
0.82
|
FS Wisconsin | Bucks |
20
|
| 70 | FS North | Timberwolves |
0.75
|
CSN California | Athletics |
20
|
| 71 | FS Southwest | Stars |
0.74
|
FS Southwest | Stars |
19
|
| 72 | FS Arizona | Coyotes |
0.62
|
FS Midwest | Pacers |
18
|
| 73 | MASN/MASN2 | Nationals |
0.60
|
FS Tennessee | Grizzlies |
14
|
| 74 | Sun Sports | Lightning |
0.60
|
MASN/MASN2 | Nationals |
14
|
| 75 | MSG+ | Devils |
0.58
|
FS Oklahoma | Thunder |
13
|
| 76 | FS West | Kings |
0.48
|
FS Ohio | Blue Jackets |
13
|
| 77 | FS Prime Ticket | Clippers |
0.44
|
FS North | Timberwolves |
13
|
| 78 | FS Prime Ticket | Ducks |
0.42
|
FS Arizona | Coyotes |
12
|
| 79 | MSG+ | Islanders |
0.36
|
FS Carolinas | Bobcats |
11
|
| 80 | SportSouth | Thrashers |
0.33
|
Sun Sports | Lightning |
11
|
| 81 | YES | Nets |
0.29
|
SportSouth | Thrashers |
8
|
| 82 | FS Florida | Panthers |
0.25
|
FS Florida | Panthers |
4
|
Ratings For NBA, MLB and NHL Teams By Market
Top teams in green
| Market | League | Net | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#1 New York
|
MLB | YES | Yankees |
4.66
|
| MLB | SportsNet New York | Mets |
2.69
|
|
| NBA | MSG | Knicks |
0.95
|
|
| NHL | MSG | Rangers |
0.89
|
|
| NHL | MSG+ | Devils |
0.58
|
|
| NHL | MSG+ | Islanders |
0.36
|
|
| NBA | YES | Nets |
0.29
|
|
|
#2 Los Angeles
|
NBA | FS West | Lakers |
3.54
|
| MLB | FS Prime Ticket | Dodgers |
2.15
|
|
| MLB | FS West | Angels |
1.22
|
|
| NHL | FS West | Kings |
0.48
|
|
| NBA | FS Prime Ticket | Clippers |
0.44
|
|
| NHL | FS Prime Ticket | Ducks |
0.42
|
|
|
#3 Chicago
|
MLB | CSN Chicago | Cubs |
4.16
|
| NHL | CSN Chicago | Blackhawks |
2.45
|
|
| NBA | CSN Chicago | Bulls |
2.35
|
|
| MLB | CSN Chicago | White Sox |
2.28
|
|
|
#4 Philadelphia
|
MLB | CSN Philadelphia | Phillies |
7.13
|
| NHL | CSN Philadelphia | Flyers |
2.18
|
|
| NBA | CSN Philadelphia | 76ers |
1.24
|
|
|
#5 Dallas
|
MLB | FS Southwest | Rangers |
2.54
|
| NBA | FS Southwest | Mavericks |
2.41
|
|
| NHL | FS Southwest | Stars |
0.74
|
|
|
#6 SF/Oak/SJ
|
MLB | CSN Bay Area | Giants |
3.27
|
| NBA | CSN Bay Area | Warriors |
1.35
|
|
| NHL | CSN California | Sharks |
1.11
|
|
| MLB | CSN California | Athletics |
0.82
|
|
|
#7 Boston
|
MLB | NESN | Red Sox |
9.46
|
| NBA | CSN New England | Celtics |
3.11
|
|
| NHL | NESN | Bruins |
2.18
|
|
|
#8 Atlanta
|
MLB | FS South | Braves |
3.52
|
| MLB | SportSouth | Braves |
3.42
|
|
| NBA | SportSouth | Hawks |
1.93
|
|
| NBA | FS South | Hawks |
1.66
|
|
| NHL | SportSouth | Thrashers |
0.33
|
|
|
#9 Washington D.C.
|
NHL | CSN Mid-Atlantic | Capitals |
1.60
|
| NBA | CSN Mid-Atlantic | Wizards |
1.18
|
|
| MLB | MASN/MASN2 | Nationals |
0.60
|
|
|
#10 Houston
|
MLB | FS Houston | Astros |
2.90
|
| NBA | FS Houston | Rockets |
2.83
|
|
|
#11 Detroit
|
MLB | FS Detroit | Tigers |
6.89
|
| NHL | FS Detroit | Red Wings |
4.21
|
|
| NBA | FS Detroit | Pistons |
1.98
|
|
|
#12 Phoenix
|
MLB | FS Arizona | Diamondbacks |
3.32
|
| NBA | FS Arizona | Suns |
3.18
|
|
| NHL | FS Arizona | Coyotes |
0.62
|
|
|
#13 Seattle
|
MLB | FSN Northwest | Mariners |
5.20
|
|
#14 Tampa/ St. Petersburg
|
MLB | Sun Sports | Rays |
3.54
|
| MLB | FS Florida | Rays |
3.13
|
|
| NHL | Sun Sports | Lightning |
0.60
|
|
|
#15 Minneapolis/ St. Paul
|
MLB | FS North | Twins |
6.25
|
| NHL | FS North | Wild |
1.67
|
|
| NBA | FS North | Timberwolves |
0.75
|
|
|
#16 Denver
|
MLB | FSN Rocky Mountain | Rockies |
4.12
|
| NBA | Altitude | Nuggets |
2.78
|
|
| NHL | Altitude | Avalanche |
1.56
|
|
|
#17 Miami
|
MLB | FS Florida | Marlins |
3.33
|
| MLB | SunSports | Marlins |
3.23
|
|
| NBA | Sun Sports | Heat |
2.48
|
|
| NHL | FS Florida | Panthers |
0.25
|
|
|
#18 Cleveland
|
NBA | FS Ohio | Cavaliers |
8.59
|
| MLB | SportsTime Ohio | Indians |
2.84
|
|
|
#19 Orlando
|
NBA | Sun Sports | Magic |
2.10
|
| NBA | FS Florida | Magic |
1.57
|
|
|
#20 Sacramento
|
NBA | CSN California | Kings |
—
|
|
#21 St. Louis
|
MLB | FS Midwest | Cardinals |
7.97
|
| NHL | FS Midwest | Blues |
2.33
|
|
|
#22 Portland
|
NBA | CSN Northwest | Blazers |
3.52
|
|
#23 Pittsburgh
|
NHL | FSN Pittsburgh | Penguins |
8.05
|
| MLB | FSN Pittsburgh | Pirates |
3.25
|
|
|
#24 Charlotte
|
NBA | FS Carolinas | Bobcats |
0.93
|
|
#25 Indianapolis
|
NBA | FS Midwest | Pacers |
1.63
|
|
#26 Raleigh- Durham
|
NHL | FS Carolinas | Hurricanes |
—
|
|
#27 Baltimore
|
MLB | MASN/MASN2 | Orioles |
2.90
|
|
#28 San Diego
|
MLB | Cox/SD4 | Padres |
3.80
|
|
#29 Nashville
|
NHL | FS Tennessee | Predators |
—
|
|
#31 Salt Lake City
|
NBA | FS Utah | Jazz |
—
|
|
#32 Kansas City
|
MLB | FS Kansas City | Royals |
3.09
|
|
#33 Cincinnati
|
MLB | FS Ohio | Reds |
3.81
|
|
#34 Columbus
|
NHL | FS Ohio | Blue Jackets |
1.39
|
|
#35 Milwaukee
|
MLB | FS Wisconsin | Brewers |
6.16
|
| NHL | FS Wisconsin | Bucks |
2.27
|
|
|
#37 San Antonio
|
NBA | FS Southwest | Spurs |
6.61
|
|
#45 Oklahoma City
|
NBA | FS Oklahoma | Thunder |
1.91
|
|
#50 Memphis
|
NBA | FS Tennessee | Grizzlies |
2.13
|
|
#51 New Orleans
|
NBA | Cox Sports | Hornets |
—
|
|
#52 Buffalo
|
NHL | MSG | Sabres |
6.45
|
(Sports Business Journal, 4/19/10a, 4/19/10b, 10/12/09)
* In New York and Los Angeles, the Knicks and Lakers both drew higher ratings than their NHL competition. However, the Nets finished behind all three New York area NHL teams, and the Clippers finished behind the L.A. Kings.
* Sports Business Journal NBA and NHL data through April 9. The NHL season ended on April 11 and the NBA season ended on April 14.
