Where are Texans fans rated on terms of fan bases?

[Buckle]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview08/columns/story?id=3549147

I found this and thought you all might want to take a look and see where ESPN rates all the NFL's teams fan bases.

[Redneck]

I don't agree with where we are ranked, but I have to agree that Pit, and GB probably have the most loyal fans on planet earth. I'm not sure about the Browns at 3 but what do I know.

I cant believe that Jacksonville isn't dead last, They have good playoff teams year after year, they play in a great conference with so there will always be good home games. Yet they never seem to sell out. We sell out no matter how bad we have been, and we are only ranked 4 places higher?

AC

[twinsfan]

I don't know if a "1" was appropriate, maybe a 2, but when it comes to Houston fans they turn on a dime. If they win they are backing, but as soon as there is trouble they bail. Now if you want to argue this point, your effort will be for naught, as the people that jump on and off the wagon are not the same that join or read the message boards. Look at the people around you, at work for example, listen to them talk... say we beat Pittsburgh, everyone will say how good a year we will have, let them lose to someone we should beat and they will trash them. Once you get past 40, and I am well past it lol, you notice just what type of people are around you.

But remember, it wasn't about you or the members of the message board for the most part (although there members who fit in the stat) it's about everyone else you see around town.

[toogoodforeggie]

With such a young team, it would be pretty hard to compete on an espn fan thing like this. Maybe a little bit higher but either way.

[Numert]

We should be a little bit higher. :)

[Jwwillis1]

We should be a little bit higher. :)

Thats my motto

[Se7en]

I think stadium and Tailgating could be 1s in stead of the 2 and 3 they got. Go to a close game that matters and see how loud Reliant can get with the roof closed.

After my run in with a few fans at last night's preseason game I can see why we might lose some points in the "hate" and "loyalty" groups. Our fans are not there to support the team like the Browns or Steelers fans do. We will get there some day, but we have one of the largest markets in the NFL, so you will always end up with a few bad appels in the bunch.

[Whiskeyrbl]

I don't know but our tailgating is one of the best if not THE best in the NFL.

[Se7en]

If they would have had a poll on fans being in the seats at the start of the game we would be dead last hands down.

I blame that on Kirby being under construction at the Tampa game. it had traffic backed up pretty bad and people had issues getting in to the lots... wait a minute... I cannot think of an excuss for all the other times people are running late. :)

Can we just say it is always because of Houston traffic issues? :p

[cmstophe]

1-5 are spot on, especially 1-3...Pittsburgh, GB, and Cleveland have some of the most loyal, dedicated, and crazy fans around.

As the list goes on it gets shady though.

[taylor90]

one reason we were ranked so low is we constantly attack players/coaches on here. myself included. part of it is we have been loosing for 7 years but still guys c'mon we need to stop blasting our coaches after one bad game

[TLW]

If they would have had a poll on fans being in the seats at the start of the game we would be dead last hands down.

I wonder what the solution is for that happening? I've not been to a game but it's my understanding that traffic flow into Reliant is fairly good as far as stadiums go....

I notice it alot on TV...big pockets of empty seats.

I've seen threads imploring fans to get there early.

Just wondering what could be done:confused:

[houstonsportsfan09]

I wonder what the solution is for that happening? I've not been to a game but it's my understanding that traffic flow into Reliant is fairly good as far as stadiums go....

I notice it alot on TV...big pockets of empty seats.

I've seen threads imploring fans to get there early.

Just wondering what could be done:confused:


I wonder if we made the playoffs, if people would still be strolling in late? Not that the playoffs have to do with getting there early or getting there late.

[TLW]

I have heard...now mind you I don't know because I've never gone to a game....that the tailgaters are often late getting into their seats.

Since that is such a fun part of the before game activities perhaps they could have some sort of cutoff plan for them...

Don't know if that is feasible or even if people want to do that but I had a couple tell me that they tailgate and bring their TV and watch maybe the first quarter before they shut it down...

I believe them. Just wondered if others do that as well :confused:

[TLW]

Yep! Unfortunately it sounds like the Texans fan tailgate too well!

Although it's not a problem in Packerland...

Guess it's just what you consider a priority....partying or seeing your team kickoff.

If I paid the money fans pay nowadays for tickets I'd be darn sure to be there at the beginning.

[RockNRoll!]

I am ashamed to admit it, but I have to agree. Cheering for Vince Young is weak. Other observations I have made:

1) fanbase doesnt stretch much outside of the Houston city limits

2) fans show up late to games

3) visiting team's fan presence is large at reliant

4) fans are too forgiving (too nice). I think as fans it should be a responsibility to voice our anguish when the team underachieves. I can tell you one thing, if the defense doesnt perform, I am going to be calling for Richard Smith's head.

5) our fans dont travel well

6) nobody hates texans fans....at least not like how us texans fans hate cowboys fans.

7) we dont have a cool song or chant like the J-E-T-S jets jets jets or the eagles.


one thing i disagree with is Kuharsky's rating of our tailgating. I would rank our tailgating in the top 5 in the NFL.

[spurstexanstros]

We have a fan base? I guess they didnt get the memo during the Tennesee game. That or Hydro is not brewing enough Koolaid.

[TLW]

The Texans do a very poor job marketing outside the Houston area IMO.

[spurstexanstros]

The Texans do a very poor job marketing outside the Houston area IMO.

A freaking men. Exactly. Ditto best post of the year. Thats what I have been saying

[TLW]

Yeah. but you cant sell ice to eskimoes. What I mean is ESPN and the rest of the media have done such a good job of making fun of us(especially since the 06 draft). Til this day they still like to show highlights of whatever team they are discussing at that time making a big play against us. Have yall noticed that? The better we become and the more we win the attention will come. Plus outside of our fans I dont give two craps what anyone else thinks. Thats why I dont go to other MBs running my mouth and dont like it when other fans come here running theirs. You cant beat consecutive sellouts like we have had. The only problem I have as far as fan base is our fans getting their arses in the seats by KO time. AJ is on Rome today and Mario was on there a while back. That is a start though.

Yea I get your point but they do little or no marketing outside of the city of Houston....

Try a)Having your training camp somewhere besides the place where you practice everyday anyway...you know go to San Antonio...go to Austin....they'd get some fans that way I guarantee you!

I remember a few years back Kaylee Wong came down here to the local mall...that was some years back (obviously since he doesn't play anymore!) but they don't have any players that do that type of thing (autograph signings etc) where I live and I'm not far from Galveston.

Heck even the Rockets use to train in Galveston....


I remember years ago I was in Tyler visiting a friend (Chandler actually) and we went to the mall in Tyler that weekend and saw Randy White and Charlie Waters.

Do the Texans do that? They had people lined out the door that day....

[spurstexanstros]

Yea I get your point but they do little or no marketing outside of the city of Houston....

Try a)Having your training camp somewhere besides the place where you practice everyday anyway...you know go to San Antonio...go to Austin....they'd get some fans that way I guarantee you!

I remember a few years back Kaylee Wong came down here to the local mall...that was some years back (obviously since he doesn't play anymore!) but they don't have any players that do that type of thing (autograph signings etc) where I live and I'm not far from Galveston.

Heck even the Rockets use to train in Galveston....


I remember years ago I was in Tyler visiting a friend (Chandler actually) and we went to the mall in Tyler that weekend and saw Randy White and Charlie Waters.

Do the Texans do that? They had people lined out the door that day....

I have brought this to Nick and he refered me to the marketing dept.(They havent called) I agree completly. The Texans need to take a page from the Astros, they have strong fan base throughout Texas. They market the hell out of San Antonio (makes sense since its the largest non Houston/dallas market) Call me crazy, but I think if they cant get a fanbase going in the states second largest city, their fanbase will be the following counties: Harris.

San Antonio HAS ZERO TEXANS COVERAGE and ZERO radio stations with the games on. I work at the local university and I am familiar with SA poulation statistics. SA has over 100 thousand transplated Houstonians and even more with ties to Houston, through work or family MEMO TO TEXANS MARKETING DEPT. YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK IN ON THAT. Until the Texans market themselves outside of Houston ,our fanbase will be non existant.

I am not asking for alot. I dont want San Antonio day at the stadium (Oilers did) or special sections for out of town fans (Astros) I just want to be able to turn on the TV or radio when the Texans games are on. A mention or two on the local news. Most of all I want to buy Texans gear without paying 100% mark up on shipping or at reliant. I just want to be able to buy a jersey from a store here in SA. They are not sold in walmart, Academy, Dicks or even in a store called Texas sports ( where you can find Panthers, seahawks, bucs, eagles....but no Texans jersies..go fig.)

If I a loyal fan, who keeps up with the team here and on other sites is having this problem, imagine the problems a casual fan would have in getting involved with the Texans. That is the reason our fanbase is ridiculed. ( that and not staying till the end of the game or rooting for VY)

[TLW]

I have brought this to Nick and he refered me to the marketing dept.(They havent called) I agree completly. The Texans need to take a page from the Astros, they have strong fan base throughout Texas. They market the hell out of San Antonio (makes sense since its the largest non Houston/dallas market) Call me crazy, but I think if they cant get a fanbase going in the states second largest city, their fanbase will be the following counties: Harris.

San Antonio HAS ZERO TEXANS COVERAGE and ZERO radio stations with the games on. I work at the local university and I am familiar with SA poulation statistics. SA has over 100 thousand transplated Houstonians and even more with ties to Houston, through work or family MEMO TO TEXANS MARKETING DEPT. YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK IN ON THAT. Until the Texans market themselves outside of Houston ,our fanbase will be non existant.

I am not asking for alot. I dont want San Antonio day at the stadium (Oilers did) or special sections for out of town fans (Astros) I just want to be able to turn on the TV or radio when the Texans games are on. A mention or two on the local news. Most of all I want to buy Texans gear without paying 100% mark up on shipping or at reliant. I just want to be able to buy a jersey from a store here in SA. They are not sold in walmart, Academy, Dicks or even in a store called Texas sports ( where you can find Panthers, seahawks, bucs, eagles....but no Texans jersies..go fig.)

If I a loyal fan, who keeps up with the team here and on other sites is having this problem, imagine the problems a casual fan would have in getting involved with the Texans. That is the reason our fanbase is ridiculed. ( that and not staying till the end of the game or rooting for VY)

If they don't market in SA that's their loss...they could acquire fans there I am sure.

These are smart people running this team. I don't find any of this too difficult.

Market OUTSIDE the Houston area. Send some players OUTSIDE the Houston area. Do something OUTSIDE the Houston area. Have a camp OUTSIDE the Houston area.

[3andOUT]

If they don't market in SA that's their loss...they could acquire fans there I am sure.

These are smart people running this team. I don't find any of this too difficult.

Market OUTSIDE the Houston area. Send some players OUTSIDE the Houston area. Do something OUTSIDE the Houston area. Have a camp OUTSIDE the Houston area.

I understand your point, but look at Houston.....it's freaking huge. They market the team across a huge market area. 5.6 million people...who else do you have to market to? Who else can you market to with the exception of San Antonio and Austin where you already have a lot of entrenched Cowboy fans?

They are top five in terms of profitable sports franchises....I think they're doing plenty right.

My only complaint is the "casual houston fan" leaves a loser and loves a winner but always shows up freaking late

[TLW]

I understand your point, but look at Houston.....it's freaking huge. They market the team across a huge market area. 5.6 million people...who else do you have to market to? Who else can you market to with the exception of San Antonio and Austin where you already have a lot of entrenched Cowboy fans?

They are top five in terms of profitable sports franchises....I think they're doing plenty right.

My only complaint is the "casual houston fan" leaves a loser and loves a winner but always shows up freaking late

Like I said...have a training camp somewhere else besides the place they practice every day.

People generally aren't going to change allegiances but you have an opportunity to garner new fans that are maybe...just maybe...looking for a team to cheer for.

The Cowboys practiced for years in California and guess what? They have a large fan base in California. Why? Because they are a product and they took that product to the consumer.

Houston is large. No doubt. But to not tape into a very large market seems silly to me. Like you're giving up without even trying.

Read the post that I used as my example...the SA fan....he gets little or nothing of the Texans there. Why? He has a hard time even finding Texans merchandise.

There's a reason for that and it doesn't have a thing to do with the Cowboys.

NFL teams are products. Texas is a huge market. It seems to me the Texans do little to nothing to market outside the Houston area. That's just my opinion.