Data-Driven Rankings: The Top New York Sports Teams for Sponsors in 2025

New York is the most saturated sports market in North America. With over 10 professional teams across five leagues, fans are spoiled for choice and brands are spoiled for opportunity. But in a market this crowded, it’s critical for sponsors to look beyond legacy logos and focus on what actually moves the needle: fan engagement.

Here’s how they stack-up:

Engagement quantifies the total fan base by identifying the % of consumers within a market who have taken one or more actions with the property in the past 12 months. Those actions include watching it on TV, watching online, following socially, following events/updates/news, playing fantasy or betting on it, buying or wearing merchandise, attending, or recommending it to others.

From historic icons to rising disruptors, every major team in New York offers a unique sponsorship opportunity—if you know where to look. Using SponsorPulse’s consumer engagement data we’ve broken down which properties offer the best reach.

Here’s the full breakdown of how New York’s top professional teams stack up and what sponsors should expect to invest.

1. New York Yankees (MLB)

Engagement: 62%
Key Strength: Massive and loyal fan base with strong multi-generational following

Despite falling short of a deep playoff run in 2024, the Yankees continue to dominate in engagement, excitement (48%), and favorability (19%). With Aaron Judge and Juan Soto headlining the roster, and one of the most valuable brands in sports, the Yankees are a must-watch for Tier 1 sponsorships - especially for legacy and luxury brands.

2. New York Giants (NFL)

Engagement: 58%
Key Strength: Legacy franchise with broad reach and high household penetration

The Giants struggled during the 2024 season, missing the playoffs. Still, strong engagement (58%) and emotional equity drive solid sponsor consideration (16%). Daniel Jones' health and Saquon Barkley's departure have hurt excitement (39%), but the fan base remains highly responsive.

3. New York Mets (MLB)

Engagement: 57%
Key Strength: Strong suburban family appeal with high game-day activation potential

While the Mets underperformed in 2024, missing the postseason, their consistent engagement metrics show strong core loyalty. With a retooled roster and front office under David Stearns, the brand narrative is shifting toward rebuild and long-term potential - an opportunity for challenger brands to grow alongside them.

4. New York Jets (NFL)

Engagement: 55%
Key Strength: High media visibility and national attention

All eyes were on the Jets in 2024 with Aaron Rodgers’ comeback hopes, which were dashed early due to injury. Still, the "Hard Knocks" effect and a strong defense have kept the Jets in the spotlight. Excitement sits at 36%, with sponsorship favorability (14%) holding steady, thanks in part to a younger, hopeful fan base.

5. New York Knicks (NBA)

Engagement: 54%
Key Strength: Cultural relevance and urban influence

The Knicks made a strong playoff run in 2024, boosting engagement, momentum, and favorability. With Jalen Brunson emerging as a franchise star and MSG as a cultural hub, the Knicks are poised for continued brand growth. Their appeal to youth and lifestyle audiences makes them a hot property for 2025.

6. New York Rangers (NHL)

Engagement: 50%
Key Strength: Affluent, passionate fan base with premium arena experience

The Rangers had a strong 2024 playoff run, pushing their engagement and excitement scores up. Playing at MSG boosts visibility, while fans’ high favorability (15%) and strong purchase consideration make this a premium property for finance, spirits, and luxury brands.

7. Brooklyn Nets (NBA)

Engagement: 49%
Key Strength: Diverse and digitally native fan base

Post-superstar era, the Nets are rebuilding but maintain strong engagement among younger and multicultural demographics. With new talent like Mikal Bridges and strong front-office moves, the Nets present a value play for brands targeting Gen Z and culturally plugged-in consumers.

8. New York Islanders (NHL)

Engagement: 48%
Key Strength: Suburban reach with passionate Long Island base

The Islanders maintain strong engagement in a localized region, especially with the new UBS Arena strengthening the game-day experience. While playoff performance was limited in 2024, their consistent excitement and favorability suggest stable value for regional sponsors.

9. New York Liberty (WNBA)

Engagement: 48%
Key Strength: Fastest-growing fan base and rising media visibility

The Liberty made a deep playoff run and are part of the WNBA’s record-breaking 2024 season. Engagement is up YoY, with Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu becoming household names. As women’s sports continue their upward trajectory, this is a smart pick for forward-thinking brands.

10. New York Sirens (PWHL)

Engagement: 48%

Key Strength: Fresh momentum and breakout potential in women’s hockey

As part of the inaugural PWHL season, the Sirens are already matching legacy teams in engagement. With media visibility growing and momentum strong, this is a key time for early brand alignment—particularly for lifestyle and purpose-driven sponsors.

11. New York Riptide (NLL)

Engagement: 43%
Key Strength: Niche community with emerging youth and school-based support

Lacrosse continues to rise in youth participation, and the Riptide offer a low-cost, high-loyalty opportunity. While engagement is lower overall, passion and momentum indicators suggest room for growth—especially among regional family audiences.

12. NY Red Bulls (MLS)

Engagement: 42%
Key Strength: Authentic fan base and strong regional identity

The Red Bulls remain a core MLS franchise with consistent fan engagement. Excitement (30%) is strong, and the team performs well in live attendance. As MLS benefits from international attention, the Red Bulls offer a stable, category-friendly option for consumer brands.

13. NYCFC (MLS)

Engagement: 41%
Key Strength: Global appeal with younger, urban fan base

NYCFC remains steady in engagement as MLS grows across the U.S. A new stadium project in Queens and Messi’s effect on league interest have helped boost relevance. Great alignment with tech, mobile, and urban mobility brands.

Recommendation for Sponsors

Whether you're aiming to reach millions of Yankees fans or tap into the surging momentum of the Liberty and Sirens, there are high-value opportunities across New York’s diverse sports landscape. But surface-level engagement is just the starting point.

To make the most of your investment, dig deeper. Understand how fans feel about these teams, how they behave across platforms, and how they respond to sponsorships. Engagement tells us who’s paying attention but sentiment, passion, and purchase consideration reveal who’s ready to act.

Looking to target Gen Z? High-income households? Women? Sports bettors? SponsorPulse data empowers brands to uncover the demographics and consumer categories where each team over-indexes - so you can align with the right fans, in the right moments, for maximum impact.

Ready to explore what your ideal fan base looks like? Let’s connect to explore your next big sponsorship move.