Angus Reid Public Opinion - Sports & Leisure

Canadians, Hockey Fans Ready to Take Fighting Out of the Game

Mario Canseco — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 02:00:46 +0000

Most Canadians and hockey fans believe on-ice fights have no place in the game, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

The online survey of representative national samples also shows that few respondents consider on-ice fights as an essential component to hockey.

The Hockey Game

Respondents were asked about their point of view on six features of hockey. Sizeable majorities of Canadians believe skating (88%) and shooting (83%) are essential components of the game—a view shared by more than nine-in-ten hockey fans.

The analysis is more nuanced when assessing the number of players per team and the width of the ice surface.

However, only eight per cent of Canadians—and seven per cent of hockey fans—believe on-ice fights are an essential component to hockey. In fact, two thirds of Canadians (66%) and hockey fans (67%) deem on-ice fights as “not important to hockey.”

Banning Fights

University hockey in Canada and the United States has already enacted rules for the automatic disqualification and suspension of players engaging in fights during hockey games.

Across the country, 78 per cent of Canadians—and 78 per cent of hockey fans—would support banning on-ice fights in Canada’s major junior (age 16-20) elite hockey leagues. In addition, 67 per cent of Canadians—and 68 per cent of hockey fans—believe on-ice fights should be eliminated from professional hockey.

Among all Canadians, Quebecers (74%) are the most likely to call for the end of on-ice fights in professional hockey, while Albertans are the least likely (59%, still a majority).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From February 22 to February 26, 2013, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,013 randomly selected Canadian adults, and 502 adults who regularly attend, listen to or watch hockey who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1% for the sample of Canadian adults, and +/- 4.5% for the sample of fans. The national results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Americans Split on Whether Cell Phones Should Be Used on Flights

Mario Canseco — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:00:35 +0000

Americans are divided when assessing the notion of airline passengers having conversations on their cell phones, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,007 American adults, 43 per cent of respondents support allowing passengers to talk on their cell phones during a flight, while 45 per cent are opposed.

There is a clear gender gap on this issue, with 48 per cent of male respondents supporting the notion of cell phone conversations during a flight, and 48 per cent of female respondents voicing opposition to it.

Americans aged 18-to-34 are more likely to endorse the use of cell phones during flights (55%) than respondents aged 35-to-54 (38%) and those aged 55 and over (also 38%).

Americans who resided in the South (46%) and West (45%) are more likely to agree with allowing passengers to use their cell phones during a flight than those in the Northeast (41%) and the Midwest (37%).

Most respondents who have accessed their laptop or tablet using an in-flight Wi-Fi connection (55%) would like to be able to talk on their cell phones, compared to 41 per cent of those who have not relied on Wi-Fi on a plane.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From February 19 to February 20, 2013, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,007 American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Canadians Blame Owners for NHL Lockout, Most Expect to Lose Season

Mario Canseco — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:15:27 +0000

Canadians and hockey fans alike are expressing frustration with the current lockout affecting the National Hockey League (NHL), a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of 1,508 Canadian adults, 36 per cent of respondents are personally dissatisfied with the NHL lockout, and 18 per cent feel sad.

Among those Canadians who describe themselves as “hockey fans, who truly enjoy watching the game”, 43 per cent are dissatisfied, and 42 per cent are sad.

Across Canada, more than a third of respondents (36%) believe the owners deserve most of the blame for the NHL lockout—a proportion that rises to 55 per cent among hockey fans.

Conversely, about one-in-four Canadians (24%) and hockey fans (26%) believe the players are responsible for the work stoppage.

As a result of the NHL lockout, 18 per cent of Canadians are now watching more minor league hockey, and 14 per cent are tuning in to National Football League (NFL) games more often.

Two-in-five self-described hockey fans (43%) are following minor league hockey, and three-in-ten (31%) are watching NFL games.

One-in-five Canadians (19%) and three-in-ten hockey fans (29%) believe the lockout will be resolved and a new agreement will be reached before the end of 2012.

Conversely, 41 per cent of Canadians—and 45 per cent of hockey fans—expect no deal to be made and the entire 2012-13 NHL season to be lost.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From November 5 to November 6, 2012, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,508 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panellists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Most Americans Think Doping Claims Against Armstrong Are True

Mario Canseco — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:10:16 +0000

A majority of Americans believe the allegations of doping surrounding former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong are true, including those who own or have worn his distinctive Livestrong bracelet, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of 1,003 American adults, more than half of respondents (53%) say they have followed news stories related to Armstrong “very closely” or “moderately closely.”

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) recently stated that there is “overwhelming” evidence that Armstrong was involved in “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program.” Three-in-five Americans (60%) think this allegation is true, while 15 per cent believe it is false.

Almost half of respondents (48%) agree with the decision taken by the International Cycling Union (ICU), which has moved to formally strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and ban him for life, based on the evidence presented by the USADA.

Respondents who own or have worn a Livestrong bracelet are paying more attention to news stories related to Armstrong (71%), but also believe that the allegation of doping against him is true (63%) and that the ICU took the right course of action (49%).

In a list of 12 former and current professional athletes, Armstrong gets the second highest unfavorable rating (38%, only behind Tiger Woods at 42%, and higher than Barry Bonds at 31%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From October 22 to October 23, 2012, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,003 randomly selected American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

High Support in Britain for Making Helmets Mandatory for Cyclists

Mario Canseco — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 04:10:53 +0000

Four-in-five Britons believe the use of helmets should be mandatory for any person travelling in a bicycle in the UK, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 2,004 British adults, 80 per cent of respondents support this directive, while 14 per cent oppose it.

Across Britain, 61 per cent of respondents believe their own city or town is a “very safe” or a “moderately safe” place for cyclists.

At least three-in-five respondents in the South of England (64%), Midlands and Wales (63%), the North (also 63%) and Scotland (60%) deem their respective areas as safe for cyclists.

In London, only 44 per cent of respondents believe their city is “very safe” or “moderately safe” for cyclists, while almost half (48%) consider London “moderately unsafe” or “very unsafe.”

Download Full Tables

Download Full Methodology Statement

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From August 9 to August 10, 2012, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,004 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Americans Support Augusta National’s Decision to Admit Female Members

Mario Canseco — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:00:12 +0000

The recent admission of two women to Augusta National Golf Club—where the Masters Tournament is played every year—is endorsed by a large proportion of Americans, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,010 American adults, 84 per cent of respondents support the club’s decision to admit two female members for the first time.

Across the United States, more than a quarter of respondents (28%) believe that private clubs in the United States should be allowed to dismiss membership applications on the basis of gender, while smaller proportions would consent to private clubs establishing specific guidelines to admit members based on religion (23%), ethnicity (21%) and race (19%).

Half of Americans (51%) believe private clubs should be allowed to dismiss membership applications on the basis of citizenship, a view endorsed by 67 per cent of Republicans.

GOP supporters are also more likely to support establishing specific guidelines for club members based on gender, religion, ethnicity and race than Independents and Democrats.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From August 22 to August 23, 2012, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,010 American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Olympic Games Too Commercial for Americans, Britons and Canadians

Mario Canseco — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:00:51 +0000

Americans, Britons and Canadians hold mixed feelings when assessing specific aspects of the Olympics, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, two thirds of respondents in the three countries (70% in Britain, 68% in the United States and 67% in Canada) think the Olympics have become too commercial.

Americans (36%) are more likely than Canadians (32%) and Britons (30%) to say that the Olympic Games—both summer and winter versions—are more about the sponsors than the athletes.

When asked to use up to five words to describe the International Olympic Committee (IOC), respondents in the three countries included “arrogant” and “secretive” in their top three. One third of Americans and Britons (34% each) believe the IOC is “secretive”, a proportion that climbs to 44 per cent in Canada.

More than half of respondents in the three countries (56% in Britain, 54% in the United States and 54% in Canada) think the inclusion of professional athletes has been positive for the Olympic Games.

Three-in-five respondents (65% in both Canada and Britain, and 63% in the United States) are “very confident” or “moderately confident” that the judges in this year’s Olympics will rule in a fair and honest manner.

The biggest difference in the survey comes when respondents are asked to rate what would constitute success for their national teams. In Canada, 60 per cent of respondents would be content with a top ten finish in the London 2012 overall medal standing—a view shared by 45 per cent of Britons when rating their own team’s performance.

In the United States, 42 per cent of respondents would only refer to the games as “successful” if their team achieves a first place finish in the overall medal standing.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Full Methodology Details:

Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among:

- 1,008 American adults who are Springboard America panelists, from July 26 to July 27, 2012.
- 2,011 British adults who are Springboard UK panelists, from July 31 to August 1, 2012.
- 1,000 Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists, from August 2 to August 3, 2012.

The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/-2.2% for Great Britain and +/-3.1% for the United States and Canada. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of each country.

Interest in London Olympics Highest in Australia, Lowest in Britain

Mario Canseco — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:08:18 +0000

People in Australia are looking forward to the London Olympics with more enthusiasm than residents of three other countries, including the host nation, a new poll conducted by Vision Critical Opinions Australia in partnership with Nine Rewards and Angus Reid Public Opinion has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples in four countries, 79 per cent of Australians say they are “very interested” or “moderately interested” in the London Olympics.

The proportion of respondents in the United States (59%), Canada (55%) and Britain (48%) who are interested in the games is decidedly lower. In fact, only one-in-twenty Australians (5%) say they are “not interested at all” in the London Olympics, compared to 18 per cent of both Americans and Canadians and 29 per cent of Britons.

A third (32%) of all Australians interested in the Olympics are mostly looking forward to the swimming events. On average, Australians that are interested in the Olympics expect their national team to return home with 18 gold medals.

When it comes to medal expectations, three-in-five Australians (77%) say the athletes themselves are mostly responsible for the results of the country in the London Olympic Games—a slightly higher proportion than in the United States (66%), Britain (63%) and Canada (63%).

Britons are the most likely to assign responsibility for the results of their team in the Olympics to sports authorities (11%), while Canadians are more likely to say that the Government is accountable for results (7%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Peter Harris, Managing Director, Vision Critical AUS/NZ
+02 9256 2001
peter.harris@visioncritical.com

Full Methodology Details:

Vision Critical Australia and Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among:

- 1,505 Australian adults who are Nine Rewards panelists, from 6 July to July 8, 2012.
- 2,033 British adults who are Springboard UK panelists, from June 12 to June 13, 2012.
- 1,003 Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists, from July 4 to July 5, 2012.
- 1,005 American adults who are Springboard America panelists, from July 6 to July 8, 2012.

The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1% for Canada and the United States, +/-2.5% for Australia, and +/-2.2% for Great Britain. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of each country.

Americans Support Allowing Sports Betting in All States

Mario Canseco — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:30:04 +0000

Many Americans believe it is time to revisit the 1992 federal law that limits sports betting to just four states, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,017 American adults, three-in-five respondents (59%) support allowing people in any U.S. state to bet on sports. Support for this change is highest among men (68%) and respondents aged 18-to-34 (64%).

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act only allows sports betting in Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon. The State of New Jersey has signaled its intention to allow people to bet on the outcomes of sports contests.

In a separate question, 55 per cent of respondents voiced support for allowing people in any U.S. state to gamble online. Once again, men (63%) and younger Americans (63%) are more likely to favor changing the guidelines.

A majority of Americans (56%) report buying a lottery ticket in the past year, and almost half (47%) claim to have bought a scratch ticket. One third (32%) attended a casino. Fewer respondents have played poker or other card games online (18%) or placed a bet on a sporting event with a friend or relative (13%). Less than one-in-ten have placed a bet on a horse or greyhound race (8%) or on a sporting event through a bookmaker (6%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From May 29 to May 30, 2012, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,017 randomly selected American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Coffee is an Essential Component of the Morning for Most Canadians

Mario Canseco — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:33:48 +0000

Drinking coffee is the preferred morning ritual for Canadians across the country, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,019 Canadian adults, three-in-five respondents (62%) say they personally need to have a cup of coffee after waking up.

The highest incidence of morning coffee drinkers in Canada is reported in Quebec (71%), Alberta (67%) and British Columbia (66%).

Half of Canadians (49%) say they reply to e-mails after waking up, while 44 per cent listen to the radio. About a third of respondents go online to read news (36%) or watch television (31%, including 50% in Quebec). Slightly fewer Canadians check social media (31%) or read a printed newspaper (29%) after waking up.

Coffee is particularly popular with members of the Silent Generation (73%) and Baby Boomers (73%), while fewer members of Generation X (59%) and Generation Y (40%) say they need a cup after waking up.

The generational divide is more pronounced on media consumption, with practically half of those in the Silent Generation (48%) reading a printed newspaper, compared to just 17 per cent of Generation Yers. Baby Boomers (49%) are the most likely to start their morning with the radio. Generation Yers are more prone to check social media to start their day (48%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From June 5 to June 7, 2012, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,019 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panellists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.