Best pro sports franchise in North America

[Mayor McCheese]

Chicos... no reason to be upset, those here opposed to the poll are those that are a fan of the Chicago teams that are shown to be crapty franchises to their fans from this poll... which is absolutely correct.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

I agree with you.  I was saying that ESPN made up a title that was not consistent their poll.  There are many teams in the top 20 who have never won a championship.  "Best fan experience at a pro game" probably would have been a better title.  No offense, but if you didn't post it I do not know how many people on here would have seen it.  50,000 responses compared to how many hits they must get on their website seems like a pretty small sample to me.  I never go to ESPN.com so I easily could be wrong.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Chicos... no reason to be upset, those here opposed to the poll are those that are a fan of the Chicago teams that are shown to be crapty franchises to their fans from this poll... which is absolutely correct.

 

Actually I'm not upset, just chuckling.  I've had the Lakers, Dodgers and Red Sox fans in the office whining since last night.  It's been kind of fun.  Most folks don't bother to read the criteria and assume it's just about how many championships

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

those here opposed to the poll are those that are a fan of the Chicago teams that are shown to be crapty franchises to their fans from this poll... which is absolutely correct.

Oh good lord.

Save this sort of logic for the Brewers vs Cubs pissing match.
 
This poll is far from scientific, and is just a conversation starter. It sells magazines. That's it. Don't make this something it isn't.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I agree with you.  I was saying that ESPN made up a title that was not consistent their poll.  There are many teams in the top 20 who have never won a championship.  "Best fan experience at a pro game" probably would have been a better title.  No offense, but if you didn't post it I do not know how many people on here would have seen it.  50,000 responses compared to how many hits they must get on their website seems like a pretty small sample to me.  I never go to ESPN.com so I easily could be wrong.

Just think, we have presidential polls done on samples of 1,000 people.   

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Just think, we have presidential polls done on samples of 1,000 people.   

Yeah, but those are random people.  These are people who choose to participate for whatever reason.

[DegenerateDish]

You guys need to read the criteria that went into it again.  They were talking about the best pro franchises as it relates to the fan experience, the cost, putting a winning product on the court, etc.   Of course there are better teams out there, but if it's so costly you can't see them, or you have to worry about being mugged in the parking lot, then that should count against you.  At least how this particular survey was done.

But as two of my ESPN pals told me last night (we were having a good time trading barbs about it...they're both VPs in Bristol, CT)....these surveys and results are about getting people conversing how fair or unfair they are. It's like a sports poll.  It's exactly what ESPN wants, people reading it, screaming how bad or how great it is....means eyeballs....means money.

I re-read this and found it ironic you mentioned being mugged in the parking lot, where your Angles are the #1 team, and obviously have had two awful parking lot incidents just this season.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I re-read this and found it ironic you mentioned being mugged in the parking lot, where your Angles are the #1 team, and obviously have had two awful parking lot incidents just this season.

Yes, there were two this year but it has been a huge anomoly which is why it gathered any attention at all.  It's Disneyland at that stadium usually.  Respectful of other teams and fans, very rarely are there fights (though a few can brew when the Red Sox come to town).

Let's put it this way, going to a Dodger game in a Giants jersey is a guaranteed beer dousing, smack across the head and 3 hours of putting up with crap.  Come to an Angels game in an opposing jersey, and 99% of the time not a damn thing is going to happen to you.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Of course they do and they will for a long time.  I just take a pass on them, no need to give up the benjamins to see them in my opinion.  Their training center is about 2 tenths of a mile from my work, I still have great friends working over there.  Let's just say I don't see eye to eye on the character of many of their players and don't wish to follow them.  That's the nicest way I can say it.  Fortunately, the fans only burned up part of the town this year.

And today they add another "character" guy in Ron Artest.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Artest will behave himself for Kobe and Phil  and the Lakers will win number 16. Most NBA players are not model citizens( got this from an NBA president)

Staples Center is a terrific sports venue and we  get free tacos when the Lakers score >100 pts plus we have the Laker Girls . Eat your hearts out

[ChicosBailBonds]

Artest will behave himself for Kobe and Phil  and the Lakers will win number 16. Most NBA players are not model citizens( got this from an NBA president)

Staples Center is a terrific sports venue and we  get free tacos when the Lakers score >100 pts plus we have the Laker Girls . Eat your hearts out

Yes, I know they're not model citizens....we deal with the NBA every day.  And yes, we love Staples Center, thats why we are founding partners of the arena and have been involved with them since you had to go in there with hard hats.   

Maybe the Lakers do win another, good for them....their fans can torch some more of Los Angeles as far as I'm concerned.  Personally, I'd love to see Cleveland win it for two reasons

1) it's been decades since Cleveland won anything...1948 Indians
2) it would piss off Laker fans something fierce

 

[TallTitan34]

The Doug Melvin bobbleheads are what bumped the Brewers as them giving back to the fans!  

[StillAWarrior]

Personally, I'd love to see Cleveland win it for two reasons

1) it's been decades since Cleveland won anything...1948 Indians
2) it would piss off Laker fans something fierce

3) your old friend StillAWarrior lives there.

[ChicosBailBonds]

3) your old friend StillAWarrior lives there.

Along with my dad's family and my mom's family. Cleveland will always be near and dear to my heart. 

[LON]

The title of the thread is best sports franchise which has nothing to do this poll.  That is what I was responding to.

T-Wolves had $5 upper deck seats last year and literally could not give them away.  Had more to do with the product on the court.

There must be a lot of hockey fans that subscribe to that magazine.

That just may say something about Minnesota fans, seeing as how the Vikings constantly rely on corporate buyouts to sell out the games (including playoff games).

[SaintPaulWarrior]

That just may say something about Minnesota fans, seeing as how the Vikings constantly rely on corporate buyouts to sell out the games (including playoff games).

Minnesota fans are the biggest bandwagon fans I have ever encountered.

EDIT:  Except for hockey.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Minnesota fans are the biggest bandwagon fans I have ever encountered.

I COMPLETELY agree.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33426

"If you need another reason why the sporting franchise representing my area is superior, look no further than the supporters for the two sides. Not only are the supporters of the team from my region more spirited, but they are also more intelligent and of finer breeding than you and the rest of your ilk...

One of the more pathetic aspects of the team from your area is the fact that only people in your immediate area possess an affinity for it. By means of contrast, the team from my area inspires loyalty and affection in individuals who live in many other geographic locations.

To illustrate this point, let me tell a brief story: Recently, I was on vacation in an area of the country far away from my own, and I saw many individuals wearing items of clothing that bore the insignia of my team. I approached one such individual and asked him if he originated from my area. He said no, explaining that he simply liked the team from my area and had for many years. Interestingly enough, during this trip, I saw no clothing or other paraphernalia bearing the insignia of your team.

Do you still doubt that the team from your area is inferior to the one from mine? Just look at our teams' respective histories. In the past, we have defeated you on any number of occasions. Granted, there were times when your team beat my team, but those were lucky flukes. "