PSR Showdown
Can the Penguins challenge the Steelers for popularity in Pittsburgh?
By Jason Mitchell

Absolutely

If the Penguins aren't already as popular as the Steelers, they will be in the very near future. OK, let me pause here so you can wipe off your computer screen after you just spewed your coffee all over the place.

Keep in mind, the NHL is a minor sport and Pittsburgh is a small market. The Penguins have sold out 64 straight games. There are 41 regular season games every season (versus eight in football). The Pens are the top team in the NHL with 103 percent capacity this season. They sell out not only the interior of the arena, but in the playoffs people have showed up in droves to watch the games OUTSIDE the arena. Heck, they even put 13,500 fans in the arena when the Pens played 284 miles away for Game 1 of the Finals.

Sure, the Steelers sell out games. While it's almost impossible to argue that the total number of Penguins fans outnumber the Steelers fans, they are different types of fans. Pens fans are "true" fans that have learned to love the team on their own. They go to the game because of the team and the game.

How many Steelers fans show up to games simply to party? Penguins' fans celebrate their team; Steelers fans too often just celebrate for the sake of celebrating.

For the most part, Steelers fans are older. Younger generation Steelers fans are often fans because generations before them were Steelers fans. The general Penguins fan base is much younger.

In addition, hockey is a much more popular family affair. All you need to do is go to the games to see for yourself. Youth hockey is huge in the Pittsburgh area and continues to grow. Crosby and Malkin merchandise sales are tops in the NHL and in Pittsburgh, and the 20- and 30-somethings have grown up in the golden era of hockey in Pittsburgh.

The result is that the Penguins have built on that small core of true fans from the early years, and you can make the argument that they are the most popular team in Pittsburgh.

Jason Mitchell is a freelance writer based in Harrisburg. Look for his blog on pghsports.com this fall.