Which rivalries are most intense? Can a team have more than one rival? What if the hatred isn’t returned? Two professors wanted answers.
Read MoreThe NHL’s history is littered with tinkering. Division realignments and schedule imbalances and playoff-format revamps, much of it in the quest to stoke a sporting golden goose: rivalry.
Read MoreStudy Finds That Arizona-Arizona State Accumulates the Most ‘Rivalry Points’ From Both Fan Bases
Read MoreMelle, Megan (2024, November 27). The anatomy of a college football rivalry: What makes a heated feud? FANSIDED. https://fansided.com/the-anatomy-of-college-football-rivalry-what-makes-a-heated-feud
Hewson, Emmanuelle (2024, February 4). Sibling Rivalry: The story of NKU vs. Wright State. The Northerner. https://www.thenortherner.com/sports/2024/02/04/sibling-rivalry-the-story-of-nku-vs-wright-state/
Somers, Darian, and Steve Sampsell (2023, December 15). SSSWS with Know Rivalry’s Joe Cobbs. Stuff Somers Says podcast. https://stuffsomerssays.com/the-podcast/2023/12/13/sssws-with-know-rivalrys-joe-cobbs/
Ramusovic, Aida (2023, November 16). Navigating Rivalries at Thanksgiving…and beyond. Cincinnati Magazine. https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/navigating-rivalries-at-thanksgiving-and-beyond/
Raby, John (2023, August 21). Conference realignment will mean longer trips and greater costs for traveling college football fans. Associated Press Sports. https://apnews.com/article/conference-realignment-football-traveling-fans-eb1c1204a8a8bcfc5e167183e87c5055
Hawkins, Stephen (2023, August 20). Potential new rivalries in Big 12 with BYU becoming league’s 3rd private Christian school. Associated Press Sports. https://apnews.com/article/big-12-holy-wars-byu-tcu-baylor-9590aa562fcc936e8bdeca8f4e69f90a
Hawkins, Stephen (2023, August 19). Lost rivalries in the Big 12, including no more Bedlam when Oklahoma and Texas switch to SEC. Associated Press Sports. https://apnews.com/article/big-12-lost-rivalries-college-football-fe1a35a3b698a736e8104da0bca15299
Castle, Clayton & Noel, Joel (2022, December 16). Dr. Joe Cobbs joins the podcast to talk about ingredients that make a rivalry, breaking down the rivals for local teams, and the new RIVALS documentary. Norse Up Podcast. https://soundcloud.com/norseuppod/joe-cobbs
SportsCenter (2022, November 26). Documentary uses football rivalry between OSU & Michigan as case study. ESPN. https://knowrivalry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ESPNsportscenter_cobbs_OSU-UMsegment20221126.mov-360p.mp4
Grant, Michael (2022, November 20). ‘RIVALS: Ohio State vs. Michigan’ is a fresh, fun look at college football tribalism. Awful Announcing.
https://awfulannouncing.com/films/rivals-ohio-state-vs-michigan-is-a-fresh-fun-look-at-college-football-tribalism.html
India Education Diary (2022, November 18). University of Massachusetts Amherst: New documentary ‘RIVALS’ features UMass sport management faculty member David Tyler’s research. https://indiaeducationdiary.in/university-of-massachusetts-amherst-new-documentary-rivals-features-umass-sport-management-faculty-member-david-tylers-research
Bona, Marc (2022, November 17). ‘Rivals’ documentary breaks down Ohio State-Michigan game’s history, fierce rivalry. Cleveland Plain Dealer. https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/11/rivals-documentary-breaks-down-ohio-state-michigan-games-history-fierce-rivalry.html
University of Massachusetts Amherst. (2022, November 16). What makes a sports rivalry? Isenberg professor featured in new documentary film.
https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/news/what-makes-sports-rivalry-isenberg-professor-featured-new-documentary-film
Rowland, Kyle (2022, November 14). Toledo-Bowling Green rivalry ranked among nation’s most intense. Toledo Blade.
https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2022/11/14/toledo-bowling-green-rivalry-ranked-nation-most-intense/stories/20221113043
Harrison, Phil. (2022, November 3). RIVALS: An Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry documentary you won’t want to miss. Yahoo: Buckeyes Wire. https://www.yahoo.com/video/rivals-ohio-state-vs-michigan-110012136.html
Broughton, David. (2022, August 15). Who do you love to hate? Study tracks fan passions toward other teams. SportsBusiness Journal. https://sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2022/08/15/In-Depth/Rivalry-research.aspx
Erdl, Alexander (2022, August 4). Neo4j Live: Know Rivalry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE_9PD8o7kM
Dubner, Stephen & Duckworth, Angela. (2022, May 22). Is It Weird for Adults to Have Imaginary Friends? No Stupid Questions podcast. https://freakonomics.com/podcast/is-it-weird-for-adults-to-have-imaginary-friends/
Dixon, A. (2022, March 16). Bally Sports to air lecture from NKU professor in upcoming documentary this Fall. The Northerner. https://www.thenortherner.com/sports/2022/03/16/bally-sports-to-air-lecture-from-nku-professor-in-upcoming-documentary-this-fall/#
Brennan, M. (2022, March 13). Lakers vs. Celtics is bigger than basketball. The truth behind the NBA’s top rivalry. Los Angeles Times (podcast). https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-03-13/winning-time-hbo-red-auerbach-boston-celtics-larry-bird-lakers
The Know Rivalry Team (2021, October 5). Better in Real Life podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birl-the-know-rivalry-team-oct-5-2021/id1579867471?i=1000537607045
The Rage and Riches of Rivalry (2021, October 4). The Academic Minute, WAMC-NPR. https://academicminute.org/2021/10/joe-cobbs-northern-kentucky-university-the-rage-and-riches-of-rivalry/
The Conflict and Cash of Rivalries (2021, September 7). SportBusiness International. https://www.sportbusiness.com/2021/09/david-b-tyler-umass-the-conflict-and-cash-of-rivalries/
Gamble N’ Fin. (2021, August 27). How does rivalry contribute to episodes of fan violence. Reality Check on iHeart Radio, WLW 700 (Cincinnati). (50:00 mark) https://www.iheart.com/podcast/71-gamble-fin-29976582/episode/gamble-n-fin-8262021-86265534/
Bowling, O. (2021, August 17). Rivalry: Why do we care?, Oxford Business Review [UK]. https://oxfordbusinessreview.org/rivalry-why-do-we-care/
Walker, J. (2021, July 22). Talking rivalries in sports with Dr. Joe Cobbs and Dr. David Tyler from KnowRivalry.com, Jason Walker Show [Montana]. https://www.jasonwalkershow.com/listen/gaf4ppj8basg4pr-6xdaz-jgh67-p4cj9-sp3ck-y9ar6-m63af-a9nhk-k5jgj-5xhge-ty3wn-yp723-65k4d
Brown, M. (2021, July 13). What makes a good rivalry? These academics think they’ve figured it out, but they need your help. Extra Points. https://www.extrapointsmb.com/college-sports-rival-data-which-one-is-best/
Brewer, C., Nitardy, M. (2021, June 18). Know Rivalry: What makes rivals? Taste of Informatics podcast. https://tasteof.informatics.plus/1727692/8726353-know-rivalry-what-makes-rivals
Babka, A. (2021, June 10). Sorry, Cincinnati Reds fans: St. Louis Cardinals fanatics don’t care about your ‘rivalry,’ NKU study finds, CityBeat. https://www.citybeat.com/news/sports/blog/21153056/sorry-cincinnati-reds-fans-st-louis-cardinals-fanatics-dont-care-about-your-rivalry-a-nku-study-finds
Monks, M. (2021, June 9). Not all sports rivalries are created equal, Northern Kentucky Researchers find, Cincinnati Edition – WVXU-NPR. https://www.wvxu.org/post/not-all-sports-rivalries-are-created-equal-northern-kentucky-university-researchers-find#stream/0
Sharber, C. (2021, June 9). NKU project measures just how heated – or lopsided – sports rivalries can be, WVXU-NPR. https://www.wvxu.org/post/nku-project-measures-just-how-heated-or-lopsided-sports-rivalries-can-be#stream/0
Northern Kentucky Tribune (2021, May 28). NKU students break down top rivalries in Major League Baseball through creative research project. https://www.nkytribune.com/2021/05/nku-students-break-down-top-rivalries-in-major-league-baseball-through-creative-research-project/
Wells, H. (2021, May 26). NKU research project examines top MLB rivalries, WTVQ-TV Lexington. https://www.wtvq.com/2021/05/26/nku-research-project-examines-top-mlb-rivalries/
Astorian, L. (2021, April 30). What can academic research tell us about sports rivalries? SB Nation: St. Louis Game Time. https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2021/4/30/22409768/academic-research-sports-rivalries-know-rivalry-blues-blackhawks
Rasile, M. (2021, April 28). Podcast episode #250 – Know Rivalry, For the Love of Sports. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3f1N4qtExaSHXfLSMBMLfV
University of Massachusetts Amherst (2021, April 14). McCormack Department launches sport rivalry research lab, Isenberg School of Management. https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/news/faculty-research-mccormack-department-launches-sport-rivalry-research-lab-0
Feschuk, D. (2021, January 16). Leafs vs. Canadiens. Leafs vs. Senators. In sports, love-hate relationships aren’t always created equal. Toronto Star, https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/opinion/2021/01/16/leafs-vs-canadiens-leafs-vs-senators-in-sports-love-hate-relationships-arent-always-created-equal.html
McCabe, B. (2020, March 6). Sports rivalries explained: The science behind the fiercest rivalries in sports, The Secrets to Winning Podcast. https://themindside.libsyn.com/dr-joe-cobbs-sports-rivalries-explained-the-science-behind-the-fiercest-rivalries-in-sports
Kaufman, J. (2019, November 19). Penn State series fails to raise Ohio State football fans’ ire. Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved from https://www.buckeyextra.com/sports/20191119/penn-state-series-fails-to-raise-ohio-state-football-fans-ire
Miller, C. (2019, October 28). Saints/Falcons top rivalry in the NFL [Audio recording (.mp3)]. WWL Radio. Retrieved from https://wwl.radio.com/articles/saintsfalcons-top-rivalry-nfl
Foster, R. (Host). (2019, October 17). 18/10/2019 [Audio recording (.mp3)]. In Up all night. BBC Radio 5 Live. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009cr5
Cain, W. (Host). (2019, October 17). Hour 2: Carson for MVP?: 10/17/19 [Audio recording (.mp3)]. In Will Cain Show. ESPN Radio. http://www.espn.com/espnradio/podcast/archive/_/id/3028618
Goldstein, S. (2019, October 16). Study: The best and worst sports rivalries come from Arizona [Audio interview (.mp3)]. KJZZ: Public radio for Phoenix. Retrieved from https://theshow.kjzz.org/content/1250801/study-best-and-worst-sports-rivalries-come-arizona
White, A. (2019, October 16). Territorial Cup: Arizona-ASU ranked as biggest rivalry in sports, study says. Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved from https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/territorial-cup-arizona-asu-ranked-as-biggest-rivalry-in-sports/article_9aa1cd86-efd0-11e9-a7b6-b74a937a71d4.html
Bleier, E. (2019, October 15). A scientific analysis of the biggest rivalries in sports, InsideHook. https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/sports/a-scientific-analysis-of-the-biggest-rivalries-in-sports
Mather, V. (2019, October 14). An academic take on sports rivalries. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/14/sports/best-sports-rivalries.html
de Roos, A. (2019, October 8). CPL rivalries are taking shape. Scoreboard Journalist. Retrieved from https://scoreboardjournalist.wordpress.com/2019/10/08/cpl-rivalries-are-taking-shape/
Ross, B. & Brown, M. (2018, April 27). What sports and nationalism have in common? Western Carolina Journalist. Retrieved from http://www.thewesterncarolinajournalist.com/2018/04/27/what-sports-and-nationalism-have-in-common/
Reader, M. (2018, January 6). Does playing the Saints make it personal for Panthers fans? Survey says…. Charlotte Observer. Retrieved from http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article193388114.html
Walsh, M. (2017, November 8). What fans really consider rivalries [Audio interview (.mp3)]. CLNS Radio. Retrieved from http://clnsradio.com/boston-celtics-news/item/16562-what-fans-really-consider-rivalries
Hamm, H. (2017, August 22). Texas Derby ranked as third-most intensive rivalry in MLS by study. SB Nation: Dynamo Theory. Retrieved from https://www.dynamotheory.com/2017/8/22/16180560/texas-derby-ranked-as-third-most-intensive-rivalry-in-mls-by-study
Dubner, S. (host). (2017, June). Rivalry [Audio podcast (.mp3)]. Tell me something I don’t know. Retrieved from http://tmsidk.com/2017/06/rivalry/
Wooden, R. (2017, June 19). 10 biggest rivalries in the NFL revealed by Western Carolina study. All 22. Retrieved from https://www.all22.com/nfl/10-biggest-rivalries-nfl-revealed-western-carolina-study
Manley, M. (2017, June 9). Listen to NKU professor stump panelists on podcast. The Northerner. Retrieved from http://www.thenortherner.com/arts-and-life/2017/06/09/listen-to-nku-professor-stump-hosts-on-podcast/
Winn, A. (2017, June 7). Boston College football fans consider Notre Dame their team’s greatest rival, but Irish fans don’t feel the same. SB Nation: One foot down. Retrieved from http://www.onefootdown.com/2017/6/7/15750578/boston-college-eagles-notre-dame-irish-football-rivalry-lopsided-uneven-fredo-little-brother
Hemming, N. (2017, May 25). Research reveals top three Revolution rivals. SB Nation: The bent musket. Retrieved from http://www.thebentmusket.com/2017/5/25/15684376/research-reveals-top-three-revolution-know-rivalry-project-rivals-red-bulls-fire-galaxy-crew
Arzaga, T. (2017, May 1). The Padres are the least villainous team in MLB. SB Nation: Gaslamp ball. Retrieved from http://www.gaslampball.com/2017/5/1/15443756/the-padres-are-the-least-villainous-team-in-mlb-no-hated-heroes-satire
Farrell, C. (2017, April 21). The Rockies need a rival, so I gave them 29. SB Nation: Purple row. Retrieved from http://www.purplerow.com/2017/4/21/15371048/colorado-rockies-need-a-rival-clayton-kershaw
Folz, A. (2017, April 16). Reds-Cards may get our blood flowing, but NKU class measures hotter baseball rivalries. WCPO Cincinnati. Retrieved from http://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/reds-cards-may-get-our-blood-flowing-but-nku-class-measures-hotter-baseball-rivalries
Saunders, P. (2017, April 14). Rockies are baseball’s least-hated team and have no rivals. Can that change? Denver Post. Retrieved from http://www.denverpost.com/2017/04/14/rockies-rivalry-least-hated-team-mlb/
Graff, A. (2017, April 11). Colorado this week? It’s rivalry time! SB Nation: RSL Soapbox. Retrieved from http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2017/4/11/15244892/colorado-rivalry-data
Watkins, S. (2017, April 3). Study: Reds-Cardinals rivalry might not be as fierce as you think. Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved from http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/04/03/study-reds-cardinals-rivalry-might-not-be-as.html
Rinehart, B. (2017, March 28). Which rivalries get Reds fans fired up the most?. WVXU: Public radio for Cincinnati. Retrieved from http://wvxu.org/post/which-rivalries-get-reds-fans-fired-most
Mercer, K. (2017, March 26). Revisiting Orlando City rivalries. SB Nation: The Mane Land. Retrieved from http://www.themaneland.com/2017/3/26/15032590/our-city-revisiting-orlando-city-rivalries-nycfc
Eldridge, D. (2017, February 3). WCU researcher examines sports rivalry. WCQS: Public radio for Western North Carolina. Retrieved from http://wcqs.org/post/wcu-researcher-examines-sports-rivalry
Cosenza, A. (2017, January 28). Study says Bengals vs Steelers is NFL’s second-most lopsided rivalry. SB Nation: Cincy Jungle. Retrieved from http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/1/28/14416908/study-says-bengals-vs-steelers-is-nfls-second-most-lopsided-rivalry
Barrera, Z. (2017, January 26). Which team is the Cowboys biggest rival? Science doesn’t lie. USA Today: CowboysWire. Retrieved from http://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2017/01/26/dallas-cowboys-philadelphia-eagles-washington-redskins-new-york-giants-pittsburgh-steelers-san-francisco-49ers-houston-texans/
Root, J. (2017, January 26). Cardinals have multiple rivals, but no one hates them the same way. USA Today: CardsWire. Retrieved from http://cardswire.usatoday.com/2017/01/26/cardinals-have-multiple-rivals-but-no-one-hates-them-the-same-way/
Watkins, S. (2017, January 25). Bengals-Steelers is one of NFL’s most lopsided rivalries, NKU study shows. Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved from http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/01/25/bengals-steelers-is-one-of-nfl-s-most-lopsided.html
Hyatt, H. (2017, January 20). WCU researcher helps identify top NFL rivalries. 540 WRGC. Retrieved from http://wrgc.com/wcu-researcher-helps-identify-top-nfl-rivalries/
Morgan, M. (2017, January 18). Sport management researcher helps identify top NFL rivalries. [Press release]. Retrieved from http://news-prod.wcu.edu/2017/01/wcu-researcher-helps-identify-top-nfl-rivalries/
Dalakas, V. (2016, October 26). Sports needs villains: Why the Golden State Warriors should relish being hated. Salon.com. Retrieved from http://www.salon.com/2016/10/26/sports-needs-villains-why-the-golden-state-warriors-should-relish-being-hated_partner/
Donaldson, B. (host). (2016, April). Rivalries [Audio podcast]. Ask NKU. Retrieved from https://soundcloud.com/ask-nku/ask-nku-joe-cobbs
Mathis-Lilley, B. (2015, November 27). Why Florida fans think FSU fans are dumb. Slate.com. Retrieved from https://slate.com/culture/2015/11/why-florida-state-and-florida-fans-hate-each-other-so-much.html
Beaton, A. (2014, November 28). In Arizona, the rivalry that matters most. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/articles/in-arizona-the-rivalry-that-matters-most-1417196844
Demirel, E. (2014, November 28). New study: Missouri only SEC program hating Arkansas more than other way around. The Sports Seer. Retrieved from http://thesportsseer.com/2014/11/28/new-study-mizzou-a-state-tulsa-only-programs-which-hate-arkansas-more-than-other-way-around/
Dosh, K. A. (2014, November 26). The greatest SEC rivalries. Fox Sports: Outkick the coverage. Retrieved from http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/the-greatest-sec-rivalries-112614
Smoky Mountain News. (2014, November 26). Measuring the intensity of college football rivalries. Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved from http://www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/14708-measuring-the-intensity-of-college-football-rivalries
Cherokee One Feather. (2014, November 25). WCU researcher measures the intensity of college football rivalries. Cherokee One Feather. Retrieved from http://theonefeather.com/2014/11/wcu-researcher-measures-the-intensity-of-college-football-rivalries/
Brenton, K. (2014, November 25). WCU researcher measures the intensity of college football rivalries. [Press release]. Retrieved from http://news-prod.wcu.edu/2014/11/wcu-researcher-measures-the-intensity-of-college-football-rivalries/
Metcalfe, J. (2014, November 24). Researchers find ASU-UA most intense football rivalry. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved from http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/territorial-cup/2014/11/22/asu-football-ua-territorial-cup-pac12/19427691/
Northern Kentucky University. (2014). NKU sports business class studies most intense rivalries in college football. [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.nku.edu/news/_141120rivalries.html
Murphy, D. (2013, September 4). Rivalry headed to supernova finish. Blue & Gold Report (p. 21). Retrieved from http://bluegoldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/BGR_09.04.13.Michigan-Preview.pdf
Abate, J. (2010, November 22). Rivales: cómo es competir entre enemigos íntimos. La Tercera. Retrieved from https://www.latercera.com/noticia/rivales-como-es-competir-entre-enemigos-intimos/
Home of rivalry research on the web. Data from over 30,000 fans. Use for research, business, fun, and curiosity. Data are free for use by others with attribution under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license (CC BY-SA). This website and the research data displayed are not endorsed by or affiliated with any league or team. The faculty researchers are employees of their respective institutions and receive university support for their research.
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