Media

Media coverage of the rivalry research.

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Carreon, Zack (2025, October 27). FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew to face off in postseason installment of ‘Hell Is Real’ rivalry. WVXU-NPR. https://www.wvxu.org/sports/2025-10-27/fc-cincinnati-columbus-crew-to-face-off-in-three-match-postseason-installment-of-the-hell-is-real-rivalry

Carlson, Jenni (2025, October 19). After winning NBA title, is OKC Thunder still lovable or basketball’s biggest threat? The Oklahoman. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2025/10/19/okc-thunder-nba-regular-season-start-shai-gilgeous-alexander/86476423007

Melle, 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

Doolittle, Bradford (2024, February 28). MLB expansion: How a 32-team league might work. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/39604300/mlb-expansion-32-teams-realignment-playoffs-divisions

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/

MEDIA

Media coverage of the rivalry research.

TOP STORIES

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