Facebook knows a lot about its users, including who South Carolina residents want to win the 2013 Super Bowl. Based on that data, most of the Palmetto State seems to be pulling for the Baltimore Ravens.
Based on "likes," Facebook says it has compiled the most comprehensive samples of sports fanship ever collected, according to data compiled by the site and released this week. About 35 million Facebook users like at least one of the NFL's 32 teams.
Aside from a few pockets in eastern South Carolina, the state is colored solidly in favor of the Ravens, but it wasn't always that way. Most of South Carolina, sans the Augusta and Charlotte areas, was pulling for the Pittsburgh Steelers for most of 2012. (What's that all about?)
When the Steelers fell out of playoff contention, most of the state began pulling for the New England Patriots. Still, some folks in the Augusta area stayed true to the Atlanta Falcons, but the rest of the state never started flapping for the Dirty Birds.
In most regions, team affiliations fall heavily down hometown lines. Almost all of Georgia likes the Falcons and all of Tennessee backs the Titans, for example. But the Carolina Panthers don't have the same appeal, according to the Facebook data.
"While winning seems to matter, NFL teams have local followings that are probably heavily influenced by family ties and/or where a person grew up," according to Facebook.
During the regular season, Panther fans are likely to be friends with Dallas Cowboy fans, based on the Facebook data. But not many folks have love for the Panthers. The Facebook report indicates that Panthers fans are in short supply.
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