A new study has put a number on something Devils fans have long worn like a badge of honor: loyalty.
According to research published by Casino Guru and written by Anna Ryan, New Jersey Devils fans ranked as the most devoted in the NHL when respondents were asked what they’d give up for a lottery win. In the 4,000-person survey, 16% of New Jersey fans said they would never stop supporting their favorite team, no matter how large the jackpot might be.
That result stands out even in a league where loyalty ran deep across the board. The study found that 11% of hockey fans overall would “never give up their chance of winning the Stanley Cup for a lottery win, no matter how big the prize is.”
The larger picture, though, showed a clear split between fan bases. Some groups were willing to trade team allegiance for cash, while others held firm.
Tennessee led the way on the less loyal end, with 67% of respondents saying they would give up seeing their favorite team win a championship for any jackpot. Massachusetts followed at 50%, and Georgia came in at 41%.
The study also found that 47% of fans in Tennessee would be open to supporting a rival for any amount of money.
Georgia’s inclusion is notable because the state does not currently have an NHL franchise, though it once had two. The original Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary, and the Atlanta Thrashers later relocated to Winnipeg.
For Devils fans, though, the takeaway is simple: money doesn’t appear to move them off their team. The study suggests that in New Jersey, backing the Devils still comes before chasing a big payday.
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