First off, let me start with a brief introduction to how this topic came to mind. Much like any sports debate, there was plenty of alcohol, only this night also involved a bit more emotion because of the heartfelt goodbye we all said to Yankee Stadium (okay, I didn’t really care). The issue arose when two of the 15 or so people who were hanging out wanted to switch the Dallas game over to the Yankees sendoff. Suffice to say they had to hit the other TV, because no SPORTS fan cared to watch an overly dramatic goodbye that’ll be on DVD within a week or two.

Yes I know about all the memories and the history and the blah, blah, blah; but really people, they’re moving across the freaking street. Of course sentiments like that led to a debate over which team is most popular throughout America, to which I offer one simple answer; the Dallas Cowboys!

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are popular and trendy, but let’s be real, they’re not America’s team. Same with the Boston Red Sox. Yes they’re super popular right now, but “Red Sox Nation” didn’t exist before 1986, didn’t come into notoriety until 1996 and wasn’t an “exclusive” club until 2005.

Bottom line, the debate pretty much comes down to the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys, and if you’re a fan of pure numbers, there’s no doubt over which one’s got the edge.

First there was the MNF game with the Eagles, which established a new record for a basic cable broadcast with 18.6 million viewers. Fast-forward to this past Sunday, when the team’s in question took the stage at the same time. In one corner you had Dallas taking on Green Bay, and in the other you had the final game in Yankee Stadium.

Final Results:
Cowboys on NBC: 14.4 percent of households nationally, 8.1 in New York.
Yankees on ESPN: 2.6 nationally, 10.2 in New York.

Um, yeah. Even if you subtract a little for the difference in availability (not everyone has ESPN), there’s still no contest. In fact, I’m pretty sure repeats of “Spongebob Squarepants” drew more viewers than the way-too dramatic sendoff, but I digress.

All I’m saying is there’s really no debate here. For what ever reason, people want to watch the Dallas Cowboys, and it feels like that’s been the case my whole life. Another feeling you don’t typically find is the pure, illogical hatred for them. I’m sure Division rivals can’t stand them, but I rarely come across someone who simply hates them for no reason. You know what I’m talking about, right?

I have friends who are die-hard Marlins fans, but they hate the Red Sox and Cubs. There’s no logic behind the hating, but it’s there nonetheless. I’ve also come across similar emotions in different settings, yet can’t recall too many instances where the hatred was aimed at Dallas. 

So again I ask, who is “America’s Team?”

If we go by TV ratings, then yes, it’s all about the Dallas Cowboys.
If we go by pure value, then yes, it’s the Dallas Cowboys, who are worth an estimated $1.612 billion (Yankees are worth $1.2 billion).
If we go by popularity, then yes, it’s the Dallas Cowboys, because I’ll take Tony Romo and Terrell Ownes in a popularity contest over Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez (and no; time machines aren’t allowed).

Mind you, I’m not trying to step on the fragile hearts of Yankee fans who said goodbye to a “Treasure,” but the aura of that team has been fading for quite a few years now, and some would say they’re not even the most “popular” team in their sport, much less the world of professional sports.

And for the record, I’m not a Dallas fan. All I’m trying to do is point out why the title of “America’s Team” rightfully belongs to that franchise. And with any luck, hopefully this will spawn a little debating, because we love comments and would love to hear your take on this.

I know people who LOVE the Lakers or the Celtics must be chomping at the bit to chime in.