Why Illinois Sports Fans Could Be Ruining Your Love Life

If you're a sports fan looking for love in the state of Illinois, I have some bad news to share with you.

Life With a Sports Fan

Truth be told, I'm not much of a sports fan. Spending a weekend sitting on the couch watching football is not my idea of a good time, but it is for my husband. He is a die hard Notre Dame football fan, and I've seen his mood skyrocket and plummet in the matter of minutes depending on how his team is playing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding things you are truly passionate about in life, but I learned very quickly that all things in life will be ignored when Notre Dame is playing.

Dating a Sports Fan in Illinois

Now that the Super Bowl is just days away, many singles are making plans to go to parties or bars where fellow sports fans will be hanging out. This may be a great strategy for meeting new people with the same interests as you, but be forewarned: Illinois has just been named one of the worst states in the nation to date a sports fan.

Worst States to Date a Sports Fan

If you live in Illinois, you know people here take their sports fandom VERY seriously, and that is where the problem begins.

A recent survey from Hard Rock Bet of 2,000 sports fans found that Illinois is the 10th worst state to date a sports fan, and when you see the reasons why, it makes total sense.

• 22% of Illinois sports fans say dating a rival fan is a deal breaker. Just keep your Packers fandom to yourself until several dates later.
• 34% of Illinoisans would rather watch sports at a party. If you want your date to pay attention to you, make sure sports is NOT on the television.
• 28% of Illinois sports fans would get up in the middle of the night to watch a game. There's nothing sweet about getting woken up by a partner screaming at the television at 2 a.m.
• 19% of Illinois fans would watch sports in the middle of a date. If you want your date to engage in conversation steer clear of all sports bars and televisions.

Now are you ready for some good news? If you can't find love in Illinois, set your sights on Wisconsin because they were named the #1 best state for dating a sports fan! (Even if you do have to wear ugly green and yellow clothing.)