Penguins fans are the most passionate in the NHL, according to a story by Forbes.com.
They placed ninth overall among North American pro teams -- that's five spots below the Steelers -- and are the only NHL club to crack the top 10.
Per the article, rankings were based on, among other things, television ratings, attendance, merchandise sales and social media reach.
It attributed the Penguins' position on the list to "All-Star Sidney Crosby, whose jersey has been a hot item since his 2005 debut. Two Stanley Cups in the last five years help, as do 12 sellout seasons at PPG Paints Arena."
The Penguins, predictably, embraced the rankings.
"Our fans are the greatest," team president and CEO David Morehouse said in a statement released by the team. "We are so grateful for their support, and it’s never a surprise to us when they’re named the most passionate fans in the NHL. Because they are."
Nonetheless, the Penguins ended up significantly below the Steelers, who placed behind only football devotees in Green Bay, New England and New Orleans in the overall rankings.
Forbes.com called the Steelers "the biggest show in town, with more locals identifying as fans of the black and yellow than for the city’s hockey and baseball franchises. Next stop: making the Terrible Towel the official state flag."
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