Nonpartisan fact tank Pew Research issued Tuesday Oct. 4 a report that said 20 percent of U.S. adults get sports scores and updates on smartphones or iPads, but only a small percent of Americans use social networks as their primary source of information, sports or otherwise. The research indicates that sports viewing on mobile devices and sports social media is a market primed for growth, but that it is also early enough for new competitors to get into the fray.

Sports information trailed weather (36%), locating restaurants or local business (31%) and news (25%) as a smartphone activity, but outpaced community news alerts (13%) and news via smartphone applications (11%) in the Pew Research study. A total of 16 activities were measured, and 2,251 adults age 18 or older responded.

The report dovetails with research from eMarketer Inc., which reported Sept. 15 that the sports audience must grow in order for sports content providers to expand the number of mobile subscription and ad-supported online offerings to viewers. eMarketer said the sports audience is perfect for mobile applications because they are loyal, passionate and large in number.

“The situation will change dramatically as more fans assimilate streaming into their media consumption routines, which, in turn, will compel leagues, broadcasters and marketers to make better use of digital platforms to reach their target audiences,” said eMarketer senior analyst Paul Verna.

EMarketer said 2010 digital revenues for the top U.S. Sports leagues was $1.295 billion. Courtesy of eMarketer, here is how the NFL, NBA, MLB and the NHL measured up: 

Source eMarketer.com, by permission