ING DIRECT USA Survey: Male Pigskin Fanatics Would Invest More in Love Than Football

WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the Football Widows Club, it's been a long season of lonely Sundays while your guy dedicates all his time and attention to his favorite team.  But, according to a new survey by ING DIRECT USA, your man might actually love you more than the biggest football game of the year.  Men are willing to spend twice as much money on a romantic weekend getaway with their significant other than seeing their favorite team play in the big game, the survey says.

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For the Love of the Big Game

According to the survey, 57 percent of male football fans would spend $500 or more for a romantic getaway weekend with their spouse, partner or significant other – compared to just 27 percent of men who would spend the same amount on a trip to see their favorite team in Sunday's game.  Twice as many men (30 percent) would spend $1,000 or more on a romantic trip than a trip to the game (14 percent) to see their beloved team potentially hoist the championship trophy.  

Women continue to place love before football.  Four in ten women (41 percent) would pay $500 or more for a trip away with their significant other while just 18 percent would pay that much to travel to the football game.    

Die-hard Fans or Savvy Savers?

For football fans, saving money might be equally important as who wins the big game on Sunday.  Fans would only go to the game if it did not bust their budget, according to the survey.  Nearly three in ten (28 percent) fans would pay less than $100 for a ticket to see the game.  Half of fans (52 percent) would spend up to $500 if their favorite team was in the game.  According to StubHub, the least expensive tickets to the game start at $2,200.

Some football fans would do anything to ensure their team wins the game.  But, in today's economy, few would make financial sacrifices for their team to win the championship.  Men and women agreed that they'd give up booze for one year (16 and 17 percent, respectively).  But very few fans would give up a single paycheck (5 percent) or pay $100 a week for the rest of their lives (3 percent).  

"Being a passionate football fan and a smart saver makes you a winner no matter what the outcome of the game," said Arkadi Kuhlmann, President and CEO of ING DIRECT USA, the nation's largest direct bank.  "Keeping in mind your long term goal of winning the financial game will guide you in those every day 'game' decisions."

Some Good Savings Calls for Game Day

This year, there's room for two champions – the winning team and your wallet.  Here are some tips you probably thought of (and a few we thought of) to help you keep costs down while enjoying the game:

Make your own Savers' Snacks: Stay home and watch the game (and the commercials!) in the comfort of your own home.  Look out for deals on football-friendly food (we're looking at you nacho plate) and test out a new recipe on Sunday.  Anyone up for some football flan?  No?

Save and stay out of the sports bars.  PJ McSportins' is fun and all, but you'll spend way too much on wings and burgers.

One word: potluck!  If you feel the need to socialize, have a party but make it BYOB (or BYOF).  You'll supply free seating and the electricity.  If they're true fans, they'll bring their own decorations and maybe an extra can of bean dip.

Stick to your game plan: Don't splurge on a new TV just for the big game; keep winning the financial game by staying on budget.  Enjoying the game with friends matters more than the size of your big screen.  Unless, of course, they have a better TV.  Then go to their house.

Pass on the gear.  Grab your new jersey or hat or mini-helmet well after the game.  We guarantee there will be a lot of surplus out there for the winning and losing teams.  

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted via telephone within the United States by TNS on behalf of ING DIRECT USA on December 10, 2010 among 1,000 American adults ages 18 and over.  The survey has a sampling error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.  A full methodology is available upon request.

About ING DIRECT USA

ING DIRECT, the nation's largest direct bank and largest thrift, is dedicated to inspiring Americans to become a nation of savers.  Customers can bank online or over the phone and benefit from the no brick and mortar business model through no-fee products and competitive rates.  Since its inception in 2000, more than 7.6 million Americans have entrusted their savings with ING DIRECT, building the bank to $91.3 billion in assets.  ING DIRECT has developed a comprehensive social media Savers' Community, including Twitter, Facebook and it's We, The Savers blog.  For more information about ING DIRECT call 1-800-ING-DIRECT, and for information about its commitment to financial education visit Planet Orange.  

Style note to Editors: ING DIRECT is always capitalized and never referred to as ING.

SOURCE ING DIRECT