Forbes Ranks Ravens Fans Among Best In The NFL
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore Ravens fans have something to cheer about. Forbes Magazine ranks Ravens Nation among the best in the NFL for fan support.
Meghan McCorkell talked to some of the fanatics responsible for that ranking.
Ravens fans are gearing up for the regular season, and now they have something else to celebrate.
We knew it after the Ravens came home with the trophy, the team feels it every gameday and we prove it every Purple Friday. Now Forbes Magazine has ranked Ravens fans some of the best in the NFL.
In new rankings, Baltimore fans came in fifth behind Green Bay, the Broncos, New Orleans and New England.
"It's part of the heartbeat and the pulse of Baltimore and most of Maryland," said Cindy Ricci, known as "Purple Dame."
Ricci is a member of Pro Football's Ultimate Fan Association. She says Baltimore fans should rank first.
"We bleed black and purple. It's not so much about spending our money as it is about supporting our team," she said.
Forbes based its rankings on TV ratings, stadium attendance, social media research and merchandise sales. At Poor Boys in Dundalk, those merchandise sales go through the roof the second the season starts.
From shirts to shower curtains and even pet clothes, Ravens fans paint everything purple all season long.
"Playoffs are just insane. We do the purple blinking hair and the beads. It's wild," said Michael Tyson, Poor Boys.
With the dog days of summer winding down, the regular season is right around the corner.
"That day is Christmas. That day is what we've waited for since the end of last season," Ricci said.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans ranked seventh in the Forbes rankings, tied with the Dallas Cowboys.
The purple birds--now worth $1.5 billion--also ranked 10th on Forbes' list of most valuable NFL teams.
Other Local News: