Chad Menefee

EVP Strategic Intelligence at @ssrs_research, Executive Director of Sports Poll, co-founder of Luker on Trends

[SSRS @ssrs_research]

LeBron James and Stephen Curry have ranked as the favorite @NBA players for the past decade, and there is no clear successor to carry the mantle once they retire.

That leaves the door open for someone to emerge as the next “face” of the NBA. 🏀

This week, Sports Poll Highlights explores what players might be in the running: https://t.co/eyCqH1eaR4

[Edison Research @edisonresearch]

📢 Introducing the Sports Poll Highlights newsletter

Each edition will deliver sharp analysis and key takeaways from over 30 years of Sports Poll by SSRS, the world’s longest-running tracking study on sports. 🏈 ⚽ ⚾

https://t.co/qgQoclNrUE

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

Excited to announce the launch of Sports Poll Highlights, our first weekly newsletter! Our first one updates Americans' favorite pro athlete for Q1 2026. More info here: https://t.co/R2Y7fRQaOE

[SSRS @ssrs_research]

📢 Introducing Sports Poll Highlights — your new weekly source for timely intelligence and insights across the sports world.

In our first edition, we break down one of the questions we’ve tracked on Sports Poll for over 30 years: “Who is your favorite professional athlete?” 🥇

https://t.co/1gTkvUGsEf

[Men in Blazers @MenInBlazers]

NEW POLL REVEALS LIONEL MESSI MOST POPULAR ATHLETE IN UNITED STATES 🇺🇸

@ssrs_research poll has tracked America’s favorite athlete, by quarter, for 30 years and Messi is the first footballer to claim the No. 1 spot, earning the honor for Q4 of 2023. 📈 (1/2)

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

Since 1994, the average Super Bowl winner has increased their fan base by 3 million the following year (source: Sports Poll 1994-2023 @ssrs_research).

https://t.co/eEDNddTIBX

[SSRS @ssrs_research]

"I do all that I can to encourage sports to continue to be sports in the same way classic rock is classic rock."
@RichLukerLoT, Founder of the SSRS/ @lukerontrends Luker on Trends Sports Poll, is featured in the new "Visionaries" series from @nytimes. https://t.co/z5596Os3jZ

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

@j_casper I have just the chart for that. The more sports people play, the bigger the fan for life. Unfortunately fewer kids get that variety now and they burn out.

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

@jasonbocarro @NCState Thanks, Jason! Always proud to represent NCSU and PRTM.

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

Really enjoyed speaking to @j_casper Sports Marketing class this week. Had a great question from a student - "What is the most surprising thing you've seen in your data?" It hasn't changed much in past 10 years, but probably the shift from attending to TV since the 90s...

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

We've been using some version of this chart for almost 10 years. No one has a bigger impact on fan interest in their sport than #Tiger. Data from ESPN Sports Poll. #SportsBiz

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

American interest in World Cup has tracked down 30% from 2014 levels (via ESPN Sports Poll). The biggest difference is decreased interest with "non-traditional" groups. Interest still high with those under 35 and Hispanics, but down with others. #SportsBiz

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

We can't settle the debate over better player, but popularity is no contest. Even during Jordan's Wizards years, he was more popular than LeBron has ever been. At his peak, Jordan was favorite NBA player of 48% of NBA fans (via ESPN Sports Poll). #SportsBiz #NBAFinals

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

NBA Finals tale of the tape - @KingJames & @StephenCurry30 were favorite players again in 17-18 ESPN Sports Poll. Curry #1 with teens and females, LeBron with most other groups. https://t.co/flSdfGWdGZ #SportsBiz

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

Another reason why you can't just look at generations. "Millennials" born in 1980 are much different sports fans than even those born in 1985. Younger gens start off lower and now decline more as adults. From ESPN Sports Poll. #sportsbiz

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

Great article by @wadhwa on how tech rules our lives in Wash Post today: https://t.co/kaSUI47o3R
We've been tracking tech fatigue for years - 62% of Americans would prefer to spend less time online. 71% of 18-34. So many opportunities for activities to be "escape" from devices.

[Chad Menefee @chadwickmenefee]

Other tourney facts - Villanova added most new fans in 1 year (131%), but Florida increased fan base by 359% from 06 to 08 with back-to-back titles. https://t.co/F3Y93QJJZw

[SSRS @ssrs_research]

Did you know that National College Basketball Championship Teams get a 57% boost in popularity? Take a look at our latest infographic and data, created in partnership with @LukerOnTrends. #MarchMadness #CollegeBasketball #NCAABasketball #FinalFour https://t.co/NyaE69vTJh

[SSRS @ssrs_research]

College Basketball Tournament Season is here so @LukerOnTrends and SSRS put together an inside look on Tournament Trends over the past two decades. Check out our infographic and data! #MarchMadness #CollegeBasketball https://t.co/o5vS9ksgSt