By Mark Scott
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-895830.mp3
Albany, NY – You probably don't need a poll to tell you that Western New Yorkers are big fans of the Bills and Sabres. But a survey released by the Siena Research Institute yesterday does shed some light on just how passionate fans are.
This is a big week for Buffalo sports fans. The Sabres return to the playoffs after a two year absence. According to the Siena poll, 16 percent of Western New Yorkers list the Sabres as their favorite sports team. Twenty-nine percent say the Bills are their favorite. But across all of New York, the Yankees are number one.
In delving into the numbers, Siena pollster Don Levy says their survey did uncover some contrasting information about fan attendance at games.
The Siena poll found that New Yorkers prefer professional over college sports. And apparently, a vast majority say their love of sports extends beyond merely watching to actual participation. Levy says 82 percent of those surveyed say they spend at least an hour or two a week playing sports, exercising or engaging in some other form of physical activity that breaks a sweat.
Overall, the Siena poll found that 68 percent of all New Yorkers consider themselves sports fans. The remaining 32 percent profess to have no interest in sports.