Favorite Professional Sports Teams in the United States

Popularity and professional sports in the United States is an interesting thing. Normally the most popular franchises are those who have had the most success. We all love winners (unless we are Chicago Cubs fans). The better you are, the more popular you will be. That’s what makes this list, which was created via a poll by ESPN, so interesting. 

Dallas Cowboys

America’s Team has been anything but that over the past two decades, winning a total of two playoff games since their last Super Bowl. The market is still there and Dallas, at least according to ESPN’s poll, the Cowboys are still the top dog when it comes to professional sports teams in the United States. It’s a brand. It’s “Jerry’s World.” And this is one exception to the rule that winners are usually the most popular when it comes to professional sports in the United States.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh has been good since before Richard Nixon and his dog Checkers ruled the White House. They’ve gone through a total of three head coaches since 1972, winning six Super Bowls in the process. For a team that once played in a rundown stadium in Western PA, the Steelers have come a long way. Their success is a primary reason they find themselves No. 2 on this list.

Green Bay Packers

The NFL championship trophy is named after a Packers legend. From its inception at City Stadium to the legendary location now known as Lambeau Field, the Packers are to the NFL what the New York Yankees are to baseball. The history is real and it represents every era of football that has ever existed in the history of the game in the United States. For this, the Packers most definitely deserve top billing on this list. If you have ever been to Lambeau, it’s impossible for you to tell me you haven’t gotten chills. That’s what football is all about. That’s what the history of this game is all about.

New York Yankees

It’s the “Evil Empire.” Not much more to say about a team that has won 27 World Series titles. To put that into perspective, the Tampa Bay Rays have been playing baseball for just 17 seasons. They’re called the “Evil Empire” because of the success that they have had and the perception that they bought a championship or two. As an Oakland Athletics fan, my hatred for the Yankees is based solely of envy. I am also pretty sure this is the case with most of you out there who dislike this franchise.

In any event, the Yankees might take a step back on this list within the next few years. Some of their most respected players, such as Derek Jeter, aren’t going to be with the team. Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez “A-Fraud” will still be collecting a check.

Denver Broncos

John Elway and Peyton Manning. These are the two people you can thank for Denver being ranked here. Well, at least we know it’s not Tim Tebow. Moving on, the Broncos are now a brand. They have one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game and are coming off a Super Bowl Appearance. If only being popular made the difference in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks.

Miami Heat

Miami might be a “cramp” on this list. Yeah, I went there. In any event, Miami has won the last two NBA championships and LeBron James (when he isn’t cramping) is the best player in the world. Comparisons will be drawn to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, but there is little doubt that South Beach is the place to be. Just ask Will Smith. By the way, if you’re questioning LeBron’s toughness…maybe get off your couch and do what he does. Just a thought.

San Francisco 49ers

There is no way in the world that five years ago the 49ers would have been found on a list like this. Again, the most popular are the most successful. While it is interesting that San Francisco finds itself here and the Seattle Seahawks don’t, the history of success between these two franchise is one of the primary reasons San Francisco finds itself here. Then again, most out there don’t like Colin Kaepernick and Jim Harbaugh. So once the 49ers win a championship, they will be on a completely different list.

New England Patriots

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. That’s all, moving on.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are not the most popular team in the NBA. That’s pretty much an example of just how much they have fallen over the past few years. In fact, the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors are better teams in California than the Lakers. With that said, they are still (and will always be) a brand. This brand won’t go away anytime soon, and the Lakers will be back in no time.

New Orleans Saints

Good for them. This is an indication that the whole Bountygate scandal didn’t create polarization around the sports world. What the Saints did to help the city of New Orleans rebound after Hurrican Katrina transcends the sports world. It’s nice to see them in the top 10 here.

Photo: NFL Films