Steelers, Pens Fans Among America's Most Passionate: Forbes

PITTSBURGH, PA - That the city has diehard sports fans has been verified once again. Forbes has released its rankings of America's most passionate sports fans and Pittsburgh was the only city with two teams in the top 10.

Steelers fans ranked fourth, while Penguins fans placed ninth.

Forbes acknowledged that "measuring passion is a tricky thing." For its rankings, Forbes examined TV ratings, game attendance, merchandise sales and social media reach. Forbes evaluated each of North America's 123 professional teams in the NFL, NHL, MLB and NBA.

According to Forbes, the Steelers have a social media following of 9.8 million people and an average attendance of 62,237. The team is worth an estimated $2.8 billion.

"The Steelers are the biggest show in town, with more locals identifying as fans of the black and yellow than for the city’s hockey and baseball franchises," Forbes said of Steelers fans. "Next stop: making the Terrible Towel the official state flag."

The Penguins have a social media following of 3.9 million and an average attendance of 18,537, according to Forbes. The team is worth an estimated $665 million.

"The NHL’s only team in the top ten can thank All-Star Sidney Crosby, whose jersey has been a hot item since his 2005 debut," Forbes stated. "Two Stanley Cups in the last five years help, as do 12 sellout seasons at PPG Paints Arena."

You can see the full Forbes rankings here.