What is the biggest team in the city now?

[Anytime23]

Tons of frustration, disappointment and the fans still remain. Results arent the debate here. The Bears can win 2 games a season and still have a season ticket waiting list for years. Despite the bad season, you will still see that kind of crowd at TC because Chicago is a football town first, it has been and one hockey championship isnt going to change that. This month hockey will be the talk and toast of the town and why shouldnt it be? Thats why you have seasons for each sport. You cant run them all at the same time. But just because people are all Hawks now, doesnt change the fact that this team has been a football town and more of a basketball town for years. Im happy the Hawks one too but im sorry, its not going to change after 1 Stanley cup despite what the 15 year old OP says.

 

[DMelt36]

as of right now.

See, I would disagree with that.

I think the game of hockey has been steadily gaining popularity across the northern half of the US (particularly the Midwest) and I think that, in the Chicago area at least, hockey is ahead of basketball.

From what I've seen, the growing popularity of some impressive high school programs in the suburbs is a big part of that.

 

[Anytime23]

See, I would disagree with that.

I think the game of hockey has been steadily gaining popularity across the northern half of the US (particularly the Midwest) and I think that, in the Chicago area at least, hockey is ahead of basketball.

From what I've seen, the growing popularity of some impressive high school programs in the suburbs is a big part of that.

So because you think the game of hockey is gaining in popularity(which it is) that its bigger than basketball in Chicago? From grade school to the pros, basketball is just more popular. It has been. Kids grow up playing sports. Basketball is cheaper and its more readily available. Our own Derrick Rose was born and raised in Chicago. You dont think that didnt give other kids from the area hope in terms of their possibilities to play pro ball?

 

[DMelt36]

Tons of frustration, disappointment and the fans still remain. Results arent the debate here. The Bears can win 2 games a season and still have a season ticket waiting list for years. Despite the bad season, you will still see that kind of crowd at TC because Chicago is a football town first, it has been and one hockey championship isnt going to change that. This month hockey will be the talk and toast of the town and why shouldnt it be? Thats why you have seasons for each sport. You cant run them all at the same time. But just because people are all Hawks now, doesnt change the fact that this team has been a football town and more of a basketball town for years. Im happy the Hawks one too but im sorry, its not going to change after 1 Stanley cup despite what the 15 year old OP says.

But Chicago WAS a hockey town during the 60s and 70s and some of the 80s. So why can't it happen again?

In the early 2000s, right before the latest Bears successful run, trouble was starting. Soldier Field was still selling out, but people were slowly staying away from the game. Soldier Field had a noticeable amount of empty seats for awhile. I recall going to the Bears Fan Convention a few times during those years and there was a rather small turnout there.

There will always be a huge fan base for the Bears, you're right. But if they don't win, the frustration of those fans will be quelled when they turn to the Hawks.

If the Bears win they may be on top. But they better do it fast.

 

[DMelt36]

So because you think the game of hockey is gaining in popularity(which it is) that its bigger than basketball in Chicago? From grade school to the pros, basketball is just more popular. It has been. Kids grow up playing sports. Basketball is cheaper and its more readily available. Our own Derrick Rose was born and raised in Chicago. You dont think that didnt give other kids from the area hope in terms of their possibilities to play pro ball?

Yep. And I think the fact that there a ton of middle to upper-class suburban towns around the city, which are typically popular places for hockey to thrive, also is a big reason.

 

[Anytime23]

The lower class outweigh the upper and thats everywhere, not Chicago. Hockey is still pricey for the middle class...

It cant happen because its a new age of sports. The media coverage and fandome of sports has never been higher. Chicago has always been big on hockey but it wont be a hockey town. It holds hockey higher than most other cities but it still hold some other sports higher. The Hawks have had more success then the rest as of late but lets not fool ourselves living in the now. Theres a deep and rich history thats not going to be put on the back burner because of the past two years of hockey. It all comes down to popularity and hockey just isnt there yet. Do me a favor, call into 670 or espn1000 or text them or whatever and ask if Chicago out of hockey, basketball and football, which would be the one to go if the whole city had to chose. I'll leave this site forever if im wrong that the Hawks would be the odd team out.

 

[DMelt36]

The lower class outweigh the upper and thats everywhere, not Chicago. Hockey is still pricey for the middle class...

It cant happen because its a new age of sports. The media coverage and fandome of sports has never been higher. Chicago has always been big on hockey but it wont be a hockey town. It holds hockey higher than most other cities but it still hold some other sports higher. The Hawks have had more success then the rest as of late but lets not fool ourselves living in the now. Theres a deep and rich history thats not going to be put on the back burner because of the past two years of hockey. It all comes down to popularity and hockey just isnt there yet. Do me a favor, call into 670 or espn1000 or text them or whatever and ask if Chicago out of hockey, basketball and football, which would be the one to go if the whole city had to chose. I'll leave this site forever if im wrong that the Hawks would be the odd team out.

Like the 60s, 70s, and early 80s where the Hawks were king?

You say it's a new age of sports, but then you point to history, where the Hawks were on top. I don't get it.

I'm agreeing with you that the Bears are #1 right now, and have been since 1985.

But I 100% disagree with your statement that Chicago can't be a hockey town. The popularity is already here. It has the ability to. If the Bears step aside by failing to win, the Hawks WILL take over.

 

[GrinderBall41]

Chicago is in the United States. The Bears would have to be really really really bad to give up the throne to the Blackhawks. And im a bigger Sox and Hawks fan than Bears personally.

Yes I know the Bears are bad, but they at least have a chance to compete. You dont lose fans when really good players underachieve. You lose fans when you put together a really really bad roster.

Im having a hard time getting my point across here i think... basically as long as the front office is trying to put together a contender, its a bears town no matter what.

 

[JCM]

See, I would disagree with that.

I think the game of hockey has been steadily gaining popularity across the northern half of the US (particularly the Midwest) and I think that, in the Chicago area at least, hockey is ahead of basketball.

From what I've seen, the growing popularity of some impressive high school programs in the suburbs is a big part of that.

yeah ok, i see you still got blackhawks fever.

 

[Jntg4]

I voted for all of them, lol

 

[GrinderBall41]

yeah ok, i see you still got blackhawks fever.

He said he voted for the Bears.

 

[GrinderBall41]

Personally, I hate basketball. But overall, across all of the neighborhoods and suburbs, basketball will have more fans than hockey. I dont understand it, but for some reason people prefer it.

 

[JCM]

why you hate basketball grinder?

 

[Anytime23]

Personally, I hate basketball. But overall, across all of the neighborhoods and suburbs, basketball will have more fans than hockey. I dont understand it, but for some reason people prefer it.

Its because of the GOAT, Michael Jordan. And like ive mentioned, basketball is more readily available to children, teens and young adults and is cheaper.

 

[Got teeth? Keith doesn't.]

Tons of frustration, disappointment and the fans still remain. Results arent the debate here. The Bears can win 2 games a season and still have a season ticket waiting list for years. Despite the bad season, you will still see that kind of crowd at TC because Chicago is a football town first, it has been and one hockey championship isnt going to change that. This month hockey will be the talk and toast of the town and why shouldnt it be? Thats why you have seasons for each sport. You cant run them all at the same time. But just because people are all Hawks now, doesnt change the fact that this team has been a football town and more of a basketball town for years. Im happy the Hawks one too but im sorry, its not going to change after 1 Stanley cup despite what the 15 year old OP says.

Do you even know how long the season ticket list is for the Hawks? I guess not.

They have a dynasty? Sorry, you have to win multiple titles in a certain time span to be a dynasty, kid. Just because they have the potential, doesnt mean they will be. What happens when they lose the role players that stepped up when Toews, Kane and Buff werent to be found? Maybe we should wait for multiple championships before we call them a dynasty, ok? Yeah thanks.

The Bulls and Bears dont have to win titles right now or multiple titles now to have a bigger following than the Hawks. They already do. The Jordan era only ended a little over a decade ago. Its still fresh in many young minds(older then your time though). 6 championships in a decade built a stronger and lasting fanbase then what the Hawks currently have, despite what you think because you see a bunch of fresh Toews jerseys or shirts on the streets the past few months. Youre young so you must be new to this thing called bandwagon and fair weather fans. Doesnt matter the sport, they will show up and they will be there.

The Hawks are hot right now in Chicago but they do not have the same following the Bears and Bulls have. You dont need to live next to the UC to know it. Hockey is just not the sport that the other two are in terms of popularity. This isnt DET where the wings have had recent success unlike their football team who hasnt been good since 57. The Bulls 90s dynasty(that was a dynasty for the uninformed OP) and Bears 85 championship team was really not so long ago that people have turned to hockey. We're any of you in Bourbonnaise for Bears TC last year? Yeah, football isnt losing interest anytime soon.

I think someone needs reading comprehension that passes the 5th grade level because I clearly said we could be on the verge of a dynasty, not we're in the middle of one. :slap:

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

why you hate basketball grinder?

i know really

basketball is probably my favorite sport

 

[DMelt36]

yeah ok, i see you still got blackhawks fever.

I voted for the Bears and the NFL is still my favorite league.

But if the Bears don't get back to 2006 form quickly, the Hawks are going to move up my list.

 

[GrinderBall41]

why you hate basketball grinder?

I guess hate is a strong word. I just dont care about it at all. I dunno it just doesnt appeal to me.

I guess it is that basketball doesnt have that "big moment" like other sports. Like in hockey, baseball, football you work hard for minutes, sometimes hours until you finally score and its a big deal when you acheive it.

In basketball they score almost every time and the only big moments are buzzer beaters which rarely happen.

I mean I can see how it could appeal to some people. The athleticism could be fun to watch. Its just not my thing. I was at Purdue for the last 4 years with highly ranked teams and never attended or watched a game.

 

[JCM]

I voted for the Bears and the NFL is still my favorite league.

But if the Bears don't get back to 2006 form quickly, the Hawks are going to move up my list.

yeah bears are Chicago's team.

if the bears get to the level they were in 06 they could overtake the hawks quite easily. if not and the hawks win another ship, different story.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

yeah bears are Chicago's team.

if the bears get to the level they were in 06 they could overtake the hawks quite easily. if not and the hawks win another ship, different story.

ya or if the bulls won a couple with lebron