Forbes deems Penguins faithful most passionate NHL fans

Pittsburgh Penguins fans are being recognized for their dedication to the team, as Forbes Magazine ranks them the ninth-most passionate fans across the four major North American sports.

The magazine's rankings take into account television ratings, game attendance, merchandise sales, and social media reach. Penguins fans were the highest-ranked among NHL fan bases, and the only hockey-based group to make the top 10 overall.

"Our fans are the greatest," Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse said, according to NHL.com. "We are so grateful for their support, and it's never a surprise to us when they're named the most passionate fans in the NHL. Because they are. We hope everyone is staying safe during this challenging time."

The Penguins currently hold the NHL's longest-ever sellout streak, which began in 2007, according to Yahoo's Andrew Lisa.

"The NHL's only team in the top 10 can thank All-Star Sidney Crosby, whose jersey has been a hot item since his 2005 debut," Forbes wrote. "Two Stanley Cups in the last five years help, as do 12 sellout seasons at PPG Paints Arena."