For a pro sport that is treated at best as the fifth most popular in Chicago, and that's only on their good days, the Blackhawks have a special edge that elevates their appeal and makes them contenders for being ranked the No. 1 spectator sport in the city.That would be you. And you. And you. And you. I hope I can stop now. My mother told me never to point my finger.
The Blackhawks are a much bigger deal from a perception standpoint because of its fan base than they would be otherwise.
The argument can be made that, except for the Cubs, the energetic environment and DNA-type aura that's created by Blackhawks fans is a palpable part of what really sells and shapes the face of the franchise.
The Blackhawks and the Cubs are the two teams that are regularly mentioned by broadcasters from all cities as having a living, breathing fan following that is a seperate monster all its own. We've all heard it a million times, a reaffirmation that the fans are pulling the strings of the puppet show on the field/ice by a force of willpower.
Chicago actually might be a Bears town first and foremost. But the NFL season schedule is quite limited and Bears fans are seldom singled out as being any different or rabid than fans in Green Bay, Minnesota or any number of other towns we could name.