Q: This is about large markets and small markets. During baseball, I’ve heard that Milwaukee is the smallest MLB market and that Green Bay is the smallest NFL market. Who is the smallest NHL and NBA market? Is there such a thing as a medium-sized market? Where does Atlanta stand as a market?
WILLIAM A. FULLMER
A: Buffalo, N.Y., is the smallest NHL market, based on Nielsen market size, according to SportsMediaWatch.com. Its chart of major pro sports teams by TV market size also shows that Memphis, Tenn., is the smallest NBA market.
Other than Memphis, Buffalo and Green Bay, Wis., every market with at least one MLB, NFL, NBA or NHL franchise is in the top 50 in the United States, according to the chart. Memphis is No. 51, Buffalo is 52 and Green Bay is 67.
Outside of Green Bay, every market with a pro sports team is considered a “big market,” according to SportsMediaWatch.com. But for markets with a MLB, NFL, NBA or NHL franchise, the site’s creator notes that a medium-sized market would range from Tampa (No. 11) to Indianapolis (No. 28).
Atlanta is No. 10, which makes it a big market, he added.
New York City is No. 1, followed by Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas-Fort Worth, according to the website.
Q&A on the News runs Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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