Blackhawks vs. Lightning: How the fans stack up

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For all the on-ice electricity of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, Blackhawks and Lightning fans lack the same sizzle in their rivalry.

Shocker, but it’s not even close. Numbers from Nielsen Scarborough research indicate that the two fan bases are on different tracks — the Blackhawks, a bullet train; the Lightning, a slow-moving kiddie coaster. Here are some numbers:

449%

Growth of the Blackhawks’ fan base since 2007, the largest growth of any major American sports team during that time span. It has grown 6 percent since last season.

41%

Decline in the Lightning’s following since its all-time high in 2004, when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup. Scarborough researchers expect the team to get a bump in a future survey because of this season’s Cup run.

50%

Percentage of adult Chicagoans who are fans of the Blackhawks, one of only three U.S.-based NHL franchises with 50 percent or higher market penetration. The others are Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Only the Bears (60 percent) have a larger following in Chicago.

19%

Percentage of adult Tampanians who are Lightning fans. Their fan base ranks behind the Rays and Buccaneers, who both own 41 percent of the market.

Blackhawks	Category	Lightning
45	Median age	50
$77,000	Median income	$62,000
$219,000	Median home value	$176,000
59% / 41%	Male/female	68% / 32%
35%	College degree	36%
34%	Minority	25%
$200	Average regular-season ticket price on StubHub	$63
2nd	Sales rank	15th
37%	Share of local sports ticket sales	25%
Cubs (35%)	Fans’ next favorite sports ticket	Rays (39%)
Lollapalooza, Phantom of the Opera	Many fans also bought tickets to …	Zac Brown Band, Ringling Bros. Legends
Overly confident bandwagon fans who just started saying “Kaner” six years ago.	Not-so-nice stereotype	Overly tanned bandwagon fans who just Googled “hockey” six weeks ago.
“One goal”	Cheesy slogan	“Be the thunder
Vince Vaughn	Cheesy celebrity fan	Hulk Hogan
“Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis	Cheesy song	“Hockey Paradise” by Seven Williams and The Brandt Brothers
After the “doo da doo” part, who’s got time for lyrics?	Cheesy lyrics from said song	“Down here in Tampa Bay … it’s a brand new day / Hot summer and hockey all the way / Fishing in the morning and Zambonis at night / We got a true hockey paradise”
“Keys to the City” by Ministry	Honorable mention	“We Want The Cup” (to the tune of “Turn Down For What”) by Ol’ Dirty Sundays
2.6 million likes	Facebook	457,000 likes
915,000 followers	Twitter	245,000 followers
It’s called the city of Chicago.	Specialized fan group	It’s called “Sticks of Fire,” and members wear black bandanas around their necks or over their faces.
“Detroit sucks!”	Favorite chant	“I believe that we will win!”

Sources: Nielsen Scarborough, StubHub