The Best American Sports Cities

Sports

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 deal breaker.
–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, Seattle Supersonics, and Philadelphia Warriors.

  1. Boston (Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins) — 10 championships since 2000 and 35 overall
  2. New York City (Yankees, Giants, Knicks, Rangers, Mets, Jets, Islanders, Nets) — 4 championships since 2000 and 54 overall
  3. Chicago (Blackhawks, Cubs, Bulls, Bears, White Sox) — 5 championships since 2000 and 29 overall
  4. Pittsburgh (Steelers, Pirates, Penguins) — 5 championships since 2000 and 16 overall
  5. Los Angeles (Lakers, Dodgers, Clippers, Kings) — 7 championships since 2000 and 20 overall
  6. Detroit (Red Wings, Tigers, Pistons, Lions) — 3 championships since 2000 and 22 overall
  7. Philadelphia (Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, Flyers) — 2 championship since 2000 and 16 overall
  8. St. Louis (Cardinals, Rams, Blues) — 2 championships since 2000 and 13 overall
  9. Cleveland (Browns, Cavaliers, Indians) — 1 championship since 2000 and 13 overall
  10. San Francisco (49ers, Giants) — 3 championships since 2000 and 8 overall
  11. Dallas (Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars) — 1 championship since 2000 and 7 overall
  12. Miami (Dolphins, Heat, Marlins) — 4 championships since 2000 and 7 overall
  13. Denver (Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche) — 2 championships since 2000 and 5 overall
  14. Baltimore (Orioles, Ravens) — 2 championships since 2000 and 9 overall
  15. Oakland (Warriors, Raiders, A’s) — 2 championships since 2000 and 9 overall
  16. Washington DC (Redskins, Capitals, Nationals, Wizards) — 0 championships since 2000 and 6 overall
  17. Houston (Texans, Rockets, Astros) — 1 championships since 2000 and 3 overall
  18. Seattle (Seahawks, Mariners) — 1 championship since 2000 and 2 overall
  19. Atlanta (Braves, Falcons, Hawks) — 0 championships since 2000 and 1 overall
  20. Kansas City (Chiefs, Royals) — 0 championships since 2000 and 3 overall
  21. Minneapolis (Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, Wild) — 0 championships since 2000 and 7 overall
  22. Phoenix (Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Suns, Coyotes) — 1 championship since 2000 and 1 overall
  23. Toronto (Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, Raptors) — 0 championships since 2000 and 15 overall
  24. Anaheim (Angels, Ducks) — 2 championships since 2000 and 2 overall
  25. New Orleans (Saints, Pelicans) — 1 championship since 2000 and 1 overall
  26. Indianapolis (Colts, Pacers) — 1 championship since 2000 and 1 overall
  27. Tampa Bay (Rays, Lightning, Buccaneers) — 2 championships since 2000 and 2 overall
  28. Cincinnati (Reds, Bengals) — 0 championships since 2000 and 5 overall
  29. Milwaukee (Bucks, Brewers) — 0 championships since 2000 and 2 overall
  30. Charlotte (Panthers, Bobcats) — 0 championships since 2000 and 0 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
*Teams in bold designate defending champs, italics for defending conference champs.  The top five historically successful teams in each sport are underlined.

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