What Sports are Illinoisans Most Likely to Go Pro In?
National Odds
According to an analysis from The Sports Geek, the easiest sport to go pro in nationally is football, with the odds of making it in the National Football League being 1-in-10,243. The NFL is followed by Major League Baseball (1-in-22,133), the National Basketball Association (1-in-55,585), the National Hockey League (1-in-97,986), and golf (1-in-279,635) to round out the top five easiest sports to go pro in nationally.
Illinois Odds
The top five easiest sports to go pro in Illinois are also the same as the top five nationally, but some of those sports have far better odds than athletes in other states do around the country. Sports Geek’s data shows that Illinoisans are the fourth-most likely state in America to become a pro in the NBA, with a 1-in-35,599 chance of becoming a professional basketball player.
Sport-by-Sport Odds for Illinois
Here is a breakdown of Illinois’s odds for each of the top five sports:
* NFL: 1 in 12,163 (22nd)
* MLB: 1 in 21,303 (12th)
* NBA: 1 in 35,599 (4th)
* NHL: 1 in 58,815 (11th)
* Golf: 1 in 270,552 (17th)
Overall Odds for Illinois
Illinois has the 14th-best odds of going pro in any sport at 1-in-5,510.
Odds by Sport in Illinois
| Sport | Odds of Becoming a Pro |
| NFL | 1 in 12,163 (22nd) |
| MLB | 1 in 21,303 (12th) |
| NBA | 1 in 35,599 (4th) |
| NHL | 1 in 58,815 (11th) |
| Golf | 1 in 270,552 (17th) |
| Soccer | 1 in 541,104 (25th) |
| Tennis | 1 in 1,352,761 (13th) |
| Overall odds of becoming a pro | 1 in 5,510 (14th) |
Methodology
The Sports Geek analyzed all professional players who appeared in their respective sports over the past 18 years, noting their state of birth. The odds were determined by comparing the number of professional athletes from each state to the number of male births in the state over the same period of time.
Conclusion
While the odds of going pro in any sport are extremely low, Illinoisans have a better chance than many other states in certain sports. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete or just a fan, understanding these odds can provide valuable insights into the competitive landscape of each sport.
FAQs
* Q: What is the easiest sport to go pro in nationally?
A: According to The Sports Geek, the easiest sport to go pro in nationally is football, with a 1-in-10,243 chance.
* Q: What is the overall odds of going pro in any sport in Illinois?
A: Illinois has the 14th-best odds of going pro in any sport at 1-in-5,510.
* Q: Which state has the best odds of going pro in the NBA?
A: According to The Sports Geek, California has the best odds of going pro in the NBA, with a 1-in-12,431 chance.
