April 22, 2025

The Smartest Pick in the Draft? Audio’s All-Pro NFL Fanbase

By Noah Caruso, Senior Analyst, Research & Insights, Audacy

It’s NFL Draft Week. And while teams are scrambling to lock in their franchise players, there’s another draft happening off the field—the media draft.

In the spirit of roster building, let’s talk about your brand’s next best move: drafting sports fans into your media plan. These are the superfans, the diehards, the ones that live and breathe football 365. This week, as franchises draft their future, we invite you to consider the value of drafting Audacy’s NFL fans into your media plan.

Let’s break it down. Meet our starting five:

DRAFT CARD #1: “The Young Gun”

Position: Future-Focused Fan

Stat Highlight:

Those that listen to the NFL on the radio are 6 years younger than those who watch on TV.

Scouting Report:
This is a critical demographic for long-term brand growth. These listeners represent a younger, more mobile-first audience that has grown up with streaming, podcasts, and on-demand content. They’re not just following the game—they’re shaping the future of fandom.

^{Source: Nielsen Scarborough National Database 2024 Release 1 Total, Listened or Watched the NFL Last 12 months, Median age}

DRAFT CARD #2: “The Brand Believer”

Position: Team Loyalist

Stat Highlight:

Brand receptivity is 2X stronger among sports radio listeners

4X more likely to purchase a brand’s product after hearing a sponsor on-air

Scouting Report:
This fan doesn’t just love their team—they value for the sponsors that support them. Whether it’s Bills Mafia, Cheeseheads, or Steelers Nation, loyalty runs deep. Partner with their favorite team and you’re in the huddle for life.

^{Source: Audacy: The Power of Sports Fandom, Vision Insights, 2024}

DRAFT CARD #3: “The Power Player”

Position: Big Spender

Stat Highlight:

Household Income: $128K

Home Value: $522K

Car Purchase: $36K

Home Improvement: $3,335

Scouting Report:
High earners with serious buying power. This is the fan who’s spending, upgrading, and investing. From grills to gear to a new SUV—this audience is well-positioned to convert—and ready to spend.

_{Source: Nielsen Scarborough National Database 2024 Release 1 Total, Any level of interest in the NFL, Audacy Sports Listeners}

DRAFT CARD #4: “The Passion Playmaker”

Position: Avid Fan

Stat Highlight:

97% of daily sports radio listeners identify as avid NFL fans—more than any other sport.

Scouting Report:
When passion runs this deep, attention and engagement follow. NFL fans on Audacy Sports are highly informed, emotionally invested, and constantly plugged in. That makes them ideal for advertisers looking to build meaningful, sustained connections.

^{Source: Audacy, The Power of Sports Fandom, Vision Insights, 2024}

DRAFT CARD #5: “The Year-Round Beast”

Position: Offseason Warrior

Stat Highlight:

NFL Season: 77% of Audacy Sports listeners are NFL fans

Offseason: 74% of Audacy Sports listeners are NFL fans

Scouting Report:
The NFL may have an official schedule, but for these fans, there’s no such thing as downtime. Whether it’s combine buzz, draft speculation, or fantasy football prep—this fan stays locked in year-round. No other medium keeps the fandom fired up 12 months a year like Audio does.

^{Source: Nielsen Scarborough Current 6 Month Release 2024, 2023, and 2022}

Final Takeaway

If you’re planning your next media strategy, it’s worth considering what NFL teams already know: the right pick can change everything. Audacy Sports’ NFL audience is your difference-maker. They’re younger, more passionate, more brand-connected—and they’re listening. In an increasingly crowded media environment, this is the audience that cuts through.

Want a custom playbook built around your goals? Let’s talk: Audacyinc.com/Sports