NFL, Statistics, and Lies: The Media's Problems Start Here

Ok, quick show of hands...How many people realize that the Cleveland Browns won the title in 2006?

No one?

Well, apparently, statistics are wrong. According to this happy little chart, banded about by one Mike49er, a.k.a. SuzyQ, and about 30 other names, the Cleveland Browns are the owners of the best fans in the world and should be known rightly as so.

Forget about the fact the team finished 6-10, missed the playoffs, and were dealing with weather issues, that are perfectly normal for the conditions.

If you want a good laugh, follow the links to Mike's so-called report:

Link One

Link Two

Since this is Mike's Gospel, his opinion on the matter is that whoever wrote this article, must know what they're doing, as the stats clearly show Oakland in last place, in a category entitled Fan Loyalty Score.

Sounds fair, right?

Well, sort of.

They take several factors, things like attendance, weather, market, record, the local income, and other factors, to make this neat little number.

But, like all good surveys, they fall flat.

First of all, take a look at Detroit's attendance:

Over 90 percent.

You want me to believe that Lions fans would pack a stadium when fans were walking out in droves? That's loyalty?

Secondly, there is no consideration for stadium size. If Oakland fills out their stadium, and say, Lucas Oil is at 90 percent capacity, which do you think is larger?

The Coliseum was built in the 1960s...long before the days of luxury boxes, retractable roofs, and even the effort to renovate the stadium didn't do a whole lot.

Thirdly, is how many fans they compare, in the general area, vs. the overall fanbase.

In this study, only those who go to a game, plunk down money for a ticket, qualify to be called fans. The others in other countries, parts of the US, and the world in general, don't count apparently.

This is a good example, of how a study can go horribly wrong. Of course, you could also take any one stat, and tweak it, to raise a team up. If you wanted the lowest team average attendance, you'd look at the Arizona Cardinals. Or if you wanted the lowest income for the fans, you'd look at New Orleans Saints.

A few months ago, they tried the same myth, this time trying to tell us the Steelers had the most female fans. It wasn't until all the details came out, and how they had to slant it, that you could manipulate stats to say whatever was needed.

Here's a good example: Give a study to every female football fan, in Invesco Field. Have them check what team is their favorite. Which team do you think will be the most popular in Invesco Field?

Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out bad numbers...But it takes a moron to use them as the gospel.