Among the natural attractions Arkansas is most commonly known for, a new study recently released said "the natural state" ranks number two for states where athletes are most common.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a study conducted by experts at Sidelines.io analyzed the most recent data from the BLS to find which states had the highest concentration of athletes and sports competitors for every 1,000 people employed.
The research found that Tennessee had the highest number of athletes per 100,000 jobs with 33.9, which is 3.87 times the national average of 8.7 per 100,000.
The study mentioned several legendary Tennessee athletes which include former world-record-holding sprinter Wilma Rudolph, NFL Hall-of-Famer Reggie White, and women's basketball coach Pat Summitt.
In second place came Arkansas with data that shows for every 100,000 jobs in the state, 31.8 are from athletes or other sports competitors, which is 3.63 times the national average.
Some of the most notable athletes the study recounted from the state include former NBA stars Sidney Moncrief and Scottie Pippen, as well as Baseball Hall-of-Famer Bill Dickey.
The study said Florida falls in third place with 23.4 athletes employed for every 100,000 jobs, which is 2.67 times higher than the national average.
A few famed athletes from "the sunshine state" include13-time NBA all-star Dwyane Wade as well as NFL legends Deion Sanders and Emmitt Smith.
At number four, the study said, was Utah which is due to there being 18 athletes for every 100,000 jobs in the state, which is 2.06 times the national average.
Key star athletes from the state include NFL player and announcer Merlin Olsen, WNBA legend Natalie Williams, and world boxing champion Gene Fullmer.
Alabama rounded off the top five list where research showed 16 athletes employed for every 100,000 jobs, which is 1.83 times the national average.
NBA legend and television analyst Charles Barkley, former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, and MLB legend Willie Mays are among the most notable athletes from the state the study added.
A spokesperson from Sidelines.io said: "Despite overall numbers for athletes in the U.S. making it seem like an uncommon job, this list highlights where you might have the best chance of making a living from sports compared to other states. Although the likes of California and New York may have the largest volume of athletes when compared to the amount of overall employment, their statistics don't seem as significant."
The top 10 states include:
- Tennessee
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Utah
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Oklahoma
- North Carolina
- Kansas
- Massachusetts