‘Rust Belt regions – Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, for instance – often have deeper ties with their teams than many other areas. Those franchises have been there through economic upheavals and rebounds, and allow residents a constant focus. “When there’s a sort of regional pride and regional identity, people feel both proud of where they’re from and where they are and they want to see that pride extended onto a national stage,” Simons said. “… It doesn’t apply as much to New York City or Los Angeles. There’s a lot of different ways to invest your identity there.”