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The Savannah Bananas baseball team has grown into a national phenomenon in just a few short years. In 2020, they played their first “Banana Ball” game with fan-friendly rules. By 2025, they were selling out games in NFL stadiums, welcomed over 2 million attendees, and had national broadcasts on ESPN. A big part of the attraction is the entertainment factor. Fans who have minimal interest or knowledge of baseball still want to check out the charismatic players, dances, music, gameplay, and other unique elements of Banana Ball. This broader appeal is clear when we look more closely at their fan base.

Sports Poll began asking about interest in the Bananas in 2024. Like the other sports we track, “avid fans” are very interested in the property right now. Today, the Bananas’ avid fan base skews more female (60%) and younger (37% under 35) than avid MLB fans. They are also less likely to be big sports fans. Among avid Bananas fans, 61% identify as casual sports fans or have no interest in sports (compared to 33% of avid MLB fans).

The Bananas’ ability to attract new fans could have a tremendous impact on the long-term growth of baseball. If the Bananas can provide a pathway for new fans to learn about the sport (albeit in a less traditional form), this could spark an interest in playing baseball or following MLB, Minor League Baseball, or college baseball for some of these fans.

For more details on the Bananas and other sports properties, reach out to us. Sports Poll by SSRS is conducted continuously throughout the year and includes a nationally representative sample of more than 24,000 Americans each year.

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