New Jersey Devils fans have heard their fair share of insults sent their way. For the most part, it has to do about living in New Jersey. Whether its insults of the status of Atlantic City or the endless memes coming from MTV's Jersey Shore, making jokes at the expense of the Garden State and its residents is a time-honored tradition.
New Jersey is the greatest state in the United States. We will not be taking any other rankings. According to U.S. News and World Report rankings, they are 10th in crime, fifth in health care, and they are the top state in education, with more than half of its residents holding a college degree.
While there are dozens of great New Jersey cities and towns, most wouldn’t put Newark on that list. The state’s biggest city with more than 280,000 residents, Newark holds a legacy that includes violent crime. However, New Jersey officials have been revitalizing the city, and the New Jersey Devils have been, as well.
Now, Newark is getting recognition for its hockey experience.
Everyone, including Devils fans, would be surprised to see their city in the top five of the WalletHub rankings. WalletHub takes into account scores from categories like team performance, Stanley Cup wins, franchise value, average ticket price, and team popularity. The Devils likely get props for their ticket prices compared to the other local teams, including the Rangers.
Being in the conversation with Boston, Detroit, New York, and Pittsburgh is interesting. Three of those teams are Original Six teams, and Pittsburgh has one of the biggest stars in the sport. So, the Devils are in the same conversation as teams that have been around for decades longer, and one with Sidney Crosby.
The experience in Newark is amazing. Having a row of bars and restaurants steps from the arena is amazing. The Prudential Center is an arena all its own. Say what you want about Newark, but they are doing a much better job of traffic control and keeping the area around the arena safe.
With a little more success, maybe the Devils can beat the New York Rangers in another medium. For us, it's great to see the fan experience celebrated in this way.