The Best Sports Cities in America

Written by Ben Pogany

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High times in the wide world of sports.  Both Lebron James and Canada's finest go down in flames while Dirk, Kidd, and Neely finally reach the promised land.  With another couple of titles in the books, it's time to revisit our tri-annual sports city rankings.  No surprise, Boston holds the top spot after completing the Grand Slam of American sports in just eight years time.  Now to get the Revs over the hump... 

The criteria:
--Must have at least 2 professional teams of the big four sports. (Sorry San Antonio)
--Both past and present performance is considered, with greater weight given to the present.
--Though championships and sustained competitiveness are the greatest indicators used, fan dedication is also a factor.  For instance, though the Cubs never win squat, Chicago is a far greater baseball city than, say, Tampa Bay, which has had some recent success but still can't get fans in the stadium.
--For all intents and purposes, Toronto is being included as an "American" city.
--Boston still gets the Pats even though they're technically from New England.  Dido for the Minneapolis and the Wild and Dallas and the Rangers.  And the whole Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim thing--just no.  If you say you're of Anaheim, you're of Anaheim.   
--Four teams is better than three, and five is better than four.  Still, having less teams isn't a dealbreaker.
--Overall championships reflect all championships enjoyed by respective cities, including both current, defunct, and relocated teams.  For instance, LA claims eleven of the Lakers' championships, while Minneapolis, their city of origin, claims five.  New York gets the Dodgers' one World Series in Brooklyn, and five for the Giants of the Polo Grounds.  Baltimore compiled four championships before they were robbed of the Colts, while Philly bolsters its overall tally with five World Series from the early 20th century Philadelphia Athletics.  Other considerations include the Boston Braves, Cleveland Rams, LA Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Cleveland Bulldogs, Washington Senators, Boston Redskins, Milwaukee Braves, St Louis Hawks, and Philadelphia Warriors.

1. Boston (Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, Bruins) -- 7 championships since 2000 and 32 overall
2. New York City (Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers) -- 3 championships since 2000 and 53 overall
3. Chicago (Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks) -- 2 championships since 2000 and 26 overall
4. Pittsburgh (Steelers, Pirates, Penguins) -- 3 championships since 2000 and 14 overall
5. Detroit (Tigers, Pistons, Lions, Red Wings) -- 3 championships since 2000 and 22 overall
6. Philadelphia (Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, Flyers) -- 1 championship since 2000 and 15 overall
7. Los Angeles (Lakers, Dodgers, Clippers, Kings) -- 5 championships since 2000 and 18 overall
8. St. Louis (Cardinals, Rams, Blues) -- 2 championships since 2000 and 13 overall
9. Cleveland (Cavaliers, Indians, Browns) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 12 overall
10. Dallas (Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars) -- 1 championship since 2000 and 7 overall
11. Denver (Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche) -- 1 championship since 2000 and 4 overall
12. Minneapolis (Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 7 overall
13. San Francisco (49ers, Giants) -- 1 championship since 2000 and 6 overall
14. Miami (Heat, Dolphins, Marlins) -- 2 championships since 2000 and 5 overall
15. Atlanta (Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 1 overall
16. Oakland (Raiders, A's, Warriors) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 7 overall
17. Pheonix (Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Suns, Coyotes) -- 1 championship since 2000 and 1 overall
18. Washington DC (Redskins, Capitals, Nationals, Wizards) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 6 overall
19. Toronto (Raptors, Blue Jays, Maple Leafs) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 15 overall
20. Baltimore (Orioles, Ravens) -- 1 championship since 2000 and 8 overall
21. Anaheim (Angels, Ducks) -- 2 championships since 2000 and 2 overall
22. New Orleans (Saints, Hornets) -- 1 championship since 2000 and 1 overall
23. Indianapolis (Colts, Pacers) -- 1 championship since 2000 and 1 overall
24. Tampa Bay (Devil Rays, Lightning, Buccaneers) -- 2 championships since 2000 and 2 overall
25. Cincinnati (Bengals, Reds) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 5 overall
26. Newark (Devils, Nets) -- 2 championships in the last decade and 3 overall
27. Houston (Texans, Rockets) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 2 overall
28. Milwaukee (Brewers, Bucks) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 2 overall
29. Seattle (Seahawks, Mariners) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 1 overall
30. Kansas City (Chiefs, Royals) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 3 overall
31. Buffalo (Bills, Sabres) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 0 overall
32. San Diego (Chargers, Padres) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 0 overall
33. Nashville (Titans, Predators) --  0 championships since 2000 and 0 overall
34. Charlotte (Panthers, Bobcats) -- 0 championships since 2000 and 0 overall