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Hometown Fans Flock Together

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 29, 2009

John W. Allman's entertaining and spirited look at Pittsburgh Steelers bars in the Tampa Bay area gave a somewhat misleading explanation for the dearth of hangouts for local Phoenix Cardinals fans - the idea that the Steelers' six Super Bowl appearances and record five victories give the storied franchise a vast national popularity ("Steelers On Tap At Local Pubs," Jan. 27).

Allman fails to mention the real reason: Pittsburgh has lost half of its population since 1960, when it ranked No. 5 in U.S. population. The decline of the steel industry, failed urban renewal schemes and ever-increasing taxes have driven over 300,000 Pittsburgh residents from their city, leaving it at No. 59 today with a scant 312,000 residents.

Now, the Pittsburgh diaspora drinks at over 1,000 bars in the 49 states (excluding Pennsylvania), according to steeleraddicts.com/steelersbars, as well as in about 50 overseas locations as far-flung as Qatar and China.

Phoenix has moved from No. 29 to No. 5 in population in the same period, increasing its population to over 1.5 million residents today. So where are all the Cardinals bars? In Phoenix! Along with the Cardinals fans.

BARRY A. ZIMMERMAN

Lakeland

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