Fan Votes Make a Difference

Today the Pro Football Hall of Fame, “The Most Inspiring Place on Earth," was named by fans as the nation’s "Best Attraction for Sports Fans” according to the USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice fan vote. It is a great honor and reaffirmation by the millions of fans who have visited the Hall.

The voice of the people is a powerful tool and it helped Cleveland become the home to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

The idea for that Hall was created by legendary record executive Ahmet Ertegun in 1983. Cleveland  immediately lobbied for the museum, citing that WJW disc jockey Alan Freed both coined the term "rock and roll" and heavily promoted the new genre—and that Cleveland was the location of Freed's Moondog Coronation Ball, the first major rock and roll concert. In addition, Cleveland cited radio station WMMS, which played a key role in breaking several major acts in the U.S. during the 1970s and 80s, including artist David Bowie, who began his first U.S. tour in the city, Bruce Springsteen, Roxy Music, and Rush among many others.

A key tipping point was a 1986 USA Today Poll asking music fans where they would like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to be located. Cleveland beat out Memphis in a close race. Cleveland then proceeded with a petition drive, signed by 600,000 fans and the city of Cleveland followed with a pledge of $65 million in public funding. On May 5, 1986, the Hall of Fame Foundation chose Cleveland as the permanent home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. 

The is the second time the Hall has won a fan vote. In 2015 cleveland.com conducted a poll for the “Best Attraction in Ohio”. The Pro Football Hall of Fame was again voted number one, ironically beating the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Cedar Point. The further irony of this is that the PFHOF, the Rock Hall and Cedar Point have since partnered to offer fans the "Rock, Rides & Football" pass each summer to attend all three great attractions at a discount price.

“We cannot thank enough the American public. Our mission to them is to continue to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve Its History, Promote Its Values and CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE EVERYWHERE. With the Centennial Celebration of the Birth of Pro Football in Canton, Ohio on September 17, 2020 only 922 days award, we are getting ready to host millions of fans at Johnson Controls Pro Football Hall of Fame Village, not to mention the possibility of hosting the 2019-2020 NFL Draft," said Hall of Fame COO and Executive Producer George Veras.