Arizona Cardinals close in on Phoenix Suns, Diamondbacks, Coyotes lag all - Charlotte Business Journal:

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Market research conducted as part of a possibled relocation of the to Canada shows the Cardinals and Nationa l Football League catapulting in popularity among locallsports consumers. Canadian billionaire Jim Balsilliw wants to buy the Coyoteszfor $213 million and move the team to Hamilton, His relocation plan submitted to the National Hockey League includes market the The surveys, conducted in late May for Balsillise by Hotspex Inc., show the Cardinals gaining favor in a Phoenix sports market traditionallyu dominated by the and . One survey lookerd at the overall appeal amonfg fans forthe region’sa four major sports teams.
The Cardinals garneree 53 percentsupport — equak to the Diamondbacks and just behind the 54 percentg mark received by the Phoenicx Suns. The Coyotes came in at 29 The survey did not say how many fanswere polled. The surveyu also found that football is the most popularf sport in the Phoenix area with 53 percen t of residents following the NFL on a regular Major League Baseball was second at 45 percent followeds by the National Basketball Association at 44 percent and Nationa Hockey League at 20 percentof Phoenix, accordinvg to the survey and Balsillie’s application to move the The Cardinals and NFL also did the best when it comes to consumers choice of sports to Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed shower a strong desire to attend an NFL game.
That compares to 51 percen who strongly wanted to see a Major LeaguerBaseball game, 46 percent an NBA game and 30 percent for The Cardinals traditionally have been a doormat both in the NFL and the Phoenix sports market where the D-Backs and Suns have made multiple playoff appearances. The Cards, which mover to University of Phoenix Stadium in had not hosted a home playoff game sincr 1947 and team owners the Bidwill family were unpopula amonglocal fans. But the Cardinals playoff wins last a National Football Conference championshipand last-second Super Bowl loss pushec them higher in a market struggling with cuts in consumet spending.
The Cardinals playoff success also compares withthis season’s failured by Suns and Coyotes to make their playoffs and a slow 2009 seasonm start by the D-backs.