Discover Fan Loyalty Poll: All I Want For Christmas Is A National Championship

November 29, 2012

Many Fans Would Give Up All Gifts to See Their Team Win a National Title

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2012-- For many college football fans, the perfect gift this holiday season would not come in the form of TVs, electronics, gift cards or apparel. Instead, it comes in the form of a national championship title for their favorite team.

In this week’s Discover Fan Loyalty Poll, fans were closely split when asked if they would rather receive gifts this holiday or a national championship for their favorite college football team. Almost half of fans, 46 percent, would choose gifts, but 42 percent would rather have the title. The remaining 11 percent of fans might have too many stocking stuffers on their holiday wish lists and were unsure.

The difference was wider between men and women, as 47 percent of men would rather have a national championship win compared to 35 percent of women. As for gifts, 44 percent of men and 51 percent of women prefer them. Fans of independent teams, such as Notre Dame, were also far more likely to choose a national championship title rather than gifts this holiday season compared to fans of the major conferences. Nearly 60 percent would trade gifts for a national championship title, far outpacing the overall average of 42 percent.

Discover Fan Loyalty Poll fans agreed with the top college football polls on who the No. 1 and No. 2 teams are: 38 percent of fans chose Notre Dame as the best team in the country, while Alabama trailed with 25 percent of the vote. Oregon came in third at 8 percent followed by:

  • Georgia, 4 percent
  • Florida, 4 percent
  • Kansas State, 2 percent
  • LSU, 2 percent
  • Stanford, 1 percent
  • Some other team, 10 percent
  • Not sure, 6 percent

As for which team fans think will win the national championship, Alabama remained on top with 41 percent. However, Notre Dame closed the gap from the previous week jumping 14 points to 35 percent in this week’s poll. The rest of the rankings are as follows:

  • Georgia, 8 percent
  • Oregon, 3 percent
  • Florida, 2 percent
  • Kansas State, 1 percent
  • LSU, 1 percent
  • Stanford, 0 percent
  • Some other team, 3 percent
  • Not sure, 5 percent

The 15-week Discover Fan Loyalty Poll is conducted by Rasmussen Reports, a nationally recognized leader in polling, who gathers sentiment by phone from 800 college football fans who follow games at least once per week on television, radio, in person or online.

Discover launched the Fan Loyalty Poll to give die-hard fans a platform to showcase their dedication and love for their favorite college football team leading up to the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game and 2013 Discover Orange Bowl. Each week the poll will offer new questions about what college football fans are thinking this season.

Beyond title sponsorship of the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game and 2013 Discover Orange Bowl, Discover’s commitment to college football includes relationships with ESPN and Notre Dame Football on NBC.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company operates the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers home loans, private student loans, personal loans, online savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its direct banking business. Its payment businesses consist of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.

Source: Discover Financial Services

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Katie Henry, 224-405-4437
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