Dallas Cowboys

Proving the power of sports identities, a 1992 study showed that people predicted better future performances for both themselves and their team after wins as compared to losses. A win or loss for your team can actually impact the way you see yourself performing in life. For Cowboys fans in the pandemic, this self-esteem boost is vital enough to attend performances at the stadium (see stats below).

The Black Lives Matter movement was a key topic in 2020 and a controversial subject for the Dallas Cowboys, which boasts one of the larger conservative fan bases in the league. As one of the most popular sports franchises in the U.S., the team understood that they had to acknowledge fans on both sides of the issue. Jerry Jones, the franchise owner, acknowledged the importance of giving all fans a voice in a radio interview: "I really do recognize our times we’re in. I recognize the ability of the Cowboys to use the visibility and interest we have to support the players. As I’ve said earlier, we’ll come down in a way that gives us a chance to move the ball positively forward…So how do we do that? We'll do that by showing the grace to the millions that are sensitive and that the flag is a symbol of the best of America. But also recognize the times we are in and the need for social justice. There will be no angst between us and the players and no angst between me and the fans."

In most sports markets, there is generally one team per sport — meaning that people in a specific geography have limited options to connect with teams. As the only game in town for each sport, franchises can attract nearby populations of fans off of a few details like the team name. However, the Dallas Cowboys have transcended their local fanbase to become known as America’s Team. This self-proclaimed moniker has stuck around since the 1970s. Despite having not reached the NFC Championship Game since 1995, the Cowboys annually have the highest regular-season ratings. In 2019, 12 of the 50 most-watched programs on television involved the Cowboys