OT: The Best/Worst Organizations in Pro Sports
I was debating this topic with friends this weekend and thought it would be a great one to get in front of this community. Simply put, which organization in all professional sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS & willing to include Euroleages as well) is the best and which is the worst?
Hard to define the parameters of both categories because the qualifications are subjective and many fans will tie emotions to each. However, let's assume being the best or worst is loosely defined by excelling or failing in categories such as wins, brand recognition, stability, sustainability, history, coaching, current players, fan loyalty, positive/negative press and so on.
I'm not sure who I believe is the best, but I am a Browns fan (by birth, and not by sane choices) and they are definitely the worst organization in all of professional sports.
April 14th, 2015 at 12:54 PM ^
It's hard to say the Red Wings aren't the best organization at the moment. 24 straight playoff appearances, 4 Cups. The way they win has become a model for sustained success. Their farm system is always stocked with underrated gems for when the team needs to reload.
Duplicate post. I apologize most sincerely.
As others have mentioned. Here's a good read for some insight into the cluster fuck that is the Redskins:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/40063/the-cranky-redskins-fans-guide-to-dan-snyder
This was written in 2010 and not much has improved.
Even better was Snyder's response to it: he created a $2 million libel lawsuit over a piece that, according to his own admission, he never actually read. Called it "anti-semitic".
The Detroit Lions. Hands down. Not even close.
1 playoff victory in 57 years.
0-16 in an era of parity.
Driving the best running back in history out of the game.
During the Ford's tenure, Cincy has been to 2 Super Bowls and Tampa has won one! In fact, every other team in the league has had better playoff success than the Lions.
The revisionist historians in here will say it's all Millen's fault but before him, there was someone worse -- Russ Thomas. Now the GM, who supposedly has all this contract experience has dug the Lions a dead money hole so deep, they've eliminated themselves from being competitive in the free agent market.
When was the last Lions coach to have a .500 record? Before 2014 and not counting a partial Gary Moeller season, it was 1972. How many of you homers who will neg me were even born in 1972???
The Lions are so bad, Stafford has already set career records with the organization.
Neg away Lions homers. Let me have it. Tell me all the excuses about why that organization which hasn't won jack shit in over TWO GENERATIONS isn't the worst.
Best: Real Madrid. They have so much money, it shouldn't even be a debate.
Worst: Probably some MLS club. Chivas USA?
has DEBT, debt is what you mean, not money.
And they've been bailed out by the Spanish government, at a time when the country has 25% unemployment.
Pre-2011, PSG belonged on the "worst" list. Despite being the only club in a gigantic, glamorous city, they were an also-ran for years. The joke was that PSG stood for Pas Sûr de Gagner (not sure to win).
I think the Best are easier to determine than the Worst. I'll use the starting year of 1996, when your original Browns moved to Baltimore (b/c I think if we're just talking all-time greats, the Yankees and Canadiens can't be touched):
BEST: Spurs (NBA), Red Wings (NHL), Patriots (NFL), Cardinals (MLB)
WORST: Timberwolves (NBA), Oilers (NHL), Browns (NFL), Expos/Nats (MLB)
Went from one of he best franchises to the second or first worst organization in the NFL when Jack Kent Cook died...
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The Cubs are still lovable, while the Lions lead the NFL in stomping infractions.
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Best overall: Spurs -- great product, community firendly
Worst overall: Maple Leafs -- not the worst overall product, but the worst compared to expectations, and with horrible relations. Imagine if the Browns management issues (and record) were pinned on the Cowboys.
Second worst isn't even close.
Washington NFL franchise must be in contention for worst. Racist nickname. Vile, incompetent owner ruins team and actively antagonizes fans.
Best: Spurs and Pats
Worst: Browns and Timberwolves/76ers
Best: Detroit Red Wings. In fact, I just put $3 on the Wings at bovada.lv at 20/1 odds to win the Cup this year. The Wings have been playoff contenders for the past quarter century. No other team in pro sports comes close. I haven't looked at all the stats but I think this franchise must rank at or very near the top of the list all time for sustained success.
Worst: Cleveland Browns in a tie with many others mentioned in this thread.
This century:
Best: Patriots, Spurs, SF GIants,
Worst: Raiders, Browns, T-Wolves, Hornets, Cubs
All time
Best; Steelers, Packers, Lakers, Celtics, Canadiens, Yankees
Worst: Lions, Cubs, Cleveland _____s
Best: You know, the Montreal Canadiens have like 26 (I believe) Stanley Cups. Most of them were a while ago, but they are good right now. Well, this year at least. Has anyone mentioned them?
Yankees, despite my dislike.
NFL, couldnt tell you. Packers, Steelers, and maybe the Patriots are tied for me, but I wasnt around when the Patriots sucked. God I hate the Packers.
Lakers? Actually I couldnt give two shits about the NBA.
Worst: Panthers, NHL (Winnipeg Jets tied by default)
MLB: Astros, Marlins, Cubs tied, but I like the Cubs kinda.
NFL: Browns, Jaguars
NBA: Clippers. Every other team seems to move when they suck enough, like the Seattle Supersonics. But not the Clippers. Aside from the last few, most years, I remember the Clippers just being a black hole of irrelevance.