OT: Worst Pro Sports City in America (?)
With the Cavaliers bringing home the first title to Cleveland, Ohio since the Declaration of Independence the Civil War Prohibition WWII John Williams composed anything worthwhile Lyndon Johnson was President, it seems reasonable to discuss what the worst sports city is in America. While the Lions are major suckage, at least there are three other teams in Detroit that have won titles in (most of) our lifetimes.
In my opinion it is still Cleveland, but who else should be up for consideration?
san diego
This is accurate, both in terms of team success and in terms of fan base. People out here just do not give a shit.
I can't speak for everybody, but personally, if I lived in San Diego I probably would not care about sports either.
Story...
Except I DO give a shit--about Michigan football. So if a Michigan guy is here, I will watch...which we do have a couple.
I guess for me, there's Michigan, and then there's sports...
I don't know why, I always figured you Midwest. But it explains your softball interest (beyond the average M fan's interest in our excellent program).
Born & bred...but transplanted. I love California--and I miss Michigan.
San Diego must just be a fantastic place for you. I'm now having a hard time picturing you living anywhere else.
There are so many transplants. For example, there is locally bars that represent several college and nfl teams. If anything, people care about sport, but we aren't united by one team.
Used to be awesome on Football Saturdays. Great food, and huge Michigan representation.
Yeah, I miss the games there. Even though it's a lot of the same people, Johnny V's is not as good an atmosphere. At least they hired the PBBG chef there last year; the first year at Johnny V's, the food was basically inedible.
And drank craft beer at the beach. This is why I can't live there.
With the Spanos as owners...why should we give a shit?
I hope they get screwed out of LA, and don't get the stadium deal here. But the dumbasses will vote for that stadium deal, then the Chargers will just flip us off on the way to LA.
San Diego is a comically bad sports town unless you're supporting the Mexican mens soccer team or the Denver Broncos/Steelers/Raiders. People who move here keep their previous residence loyalties because there's absolutely no reason to root for the locals.
It's just bad. Any game is typically somewhere between 40-70% the opposing teams fans. Mexico and the Raiders essentially play home games at Qualcomm. As other have said, nobody gives a shit. Which is mostly the fault of the owners of the franchises who do nothing to engender support except from delusional crackpots who gladly hand over their money (and votes) to watch steaming turd teams play.
Heck the best team in town is probably the AHL hockey team San Diego Gulls. Which may average about 9,000 fans a game. Actually that's probably better than the Padres if you take out opposing teams fans buying tickets.
So yeah....San Diego...bad.
Kansas City, Jacksonville, or Tampa Bay.
Just curious but why Tampa? Since 2000 The Bucaneers and Lighting have won championships and the Rays made it to the World Series.
You are right, my bad. Just don't think of TB as having winning teams, maybe it is not enough love from the national media or I'm just a dolt!
knows TB has at least one winning team...
I can see why people say Tampa. Living here and being a big fan of all the teams, the fanbase here is pretty crap. The only team that has had consistent attendance through good and bad times is the Bolts. They've been Top Ten in attendance for quite a few years now.
I've had Bucs season tickets for about 6 years now and the only way that stadium fills up is if they win or it's the first game of the season. If they suck or are playing even average like they have the past few seasons, that 300 section is sparse. I've only started to notice the past couple years how quickly Bucs fans will turn on the team. I used to defend Tampa fans, but I can now see why people think we're awful.
Everyone knows about the Rays' attendance woes. The stadium location and the actual stadium are just horrid. There are talks about moving it over to the Tampa side, but we'll have to wait and see if that fixes anything. It doesn't help that the area is filled with northern transplants who all already have a team. There's always a jump in attendance for games against the Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, or any team with a strong national fan base. Even the year the Rays went to the WS, they finished 26th in attendance. The TV ratings were high though, so there's that.
But to me, TB is basically the poster child for the fan the NFL truly fears. The calculus for most fans here is "If the team is good, I will support them and go to live games. If they are shit, I will watch Redzone, likely enjoy better views and replays, and save a ton of money". Some fan bases will sell out every game no matter what, but if it were possible to make every team miss the playoffs for 5 years straight, I'd like to know how many franchises would still sell out their entire home slate.
Kansas City has two teams and they're both really good right now.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
Take Tampa off that list. There are some great fans in this city. I can and do wear my Detroit gear to games and get a warm reception. Most of them say I will convert over time (fat chance). There are also some champions in recent history and a very competitive hockey team.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
I just moved to TB 6 weeks ago, living in Palma Ceia. what are the cool bars to watch a UM game? Not necessarily a UM bar, but UM friendly?
I wish I could tell you, but I rarely frequent bars. A 60" TV and four taps of homebrew keep me at home most game days.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
invite accepted! :O
I'll bring the brats and pork chops!
but I'll pick you up on my way there.
It's wherever we decide to go! I prefer Brick House because it's slammed full of SEC fans on Saturdays and I walk in proudly and smile at their hatred. Duffy's is opening a new location just north of Brickhouse by Total Wine. There is also the Sports Emporium which is the original sports bar in town. Overall, Brickhouse has the best food, beer, and college football loving atmosphere.
Agreed that Brickhouse has amazing food. Terrific Bloodys and the servers are 'talented' to say the least. Beefs was a horrible bar and the fact that it was UM/MSU was always a turn off. Fergs St. Pete is much better, but we need a Hillsborough location. I'm all for making Brickhouse the regular - can we talk to management about getting a permanent table/corner? Duffy's is also now open, but it has been slammed every time I have thought about going. Other bars to consider would be Hattricks, Fergs Tampa, and Yeoman's Cask and Lion. But, I've never been to any of those for Football Saturdays, so no idea what that would look like. Patio is a great bar, but is already claimed by UF. MacDinton's is a phenomenal soccer bar, but probably a total shit show and not a good option.
thanks for the suggestions! when football starts and we can roll deep!
There's a good size Michigan alum group in TB...look it up
Went to Red wings game with them last year
I also live in Palma Ceia and not that I'm an alum, but the UM Alumni Association used to meet up at Beef's on MacDill. They left there a few years ago and now meet at Ferg's in St. Pete. Beef's is now an MSU bar, unfortunately.
I like going to The Dog to watch the games. It's a dive bar, but has a bunch of TVs, good beer and decent food. It's mostly a UF/FSU bar, but there's fans of all different teams and they're all decent people.
thanks for the heads up. Beef's looks like it has shit for food and a crappy chain feel, so let MSU have it!
Atlanta.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
They've lost two NHL teams, the Hawks have never done much in the playoffs and the Falcons have only one Superbowl appearance. The only successful franchise were the Braves, but they really suck now and are in the process of moving to Cobb County.
I know it had been like 30 years between them, but they have had some success, unlike Cleveland. Of the top of my head I might say Houston, can't think of any championships from there.
San Diego and Buffalo are the top 2 now, but both only have 2 teams. I'd still say Cleveland. They've been hilariously inept for having 3 franchises, and it's not just that they've lost but the ways in which they've lost.
Cleveland still sucks.
They have a pro team, so they qualify. The worst city in the Worst State Ever wins this contest!
Buffalo is right up there with them.
Cincinnati isn't too great either.
Especially Columbus what a sh8t hole. Or should I say what a cooler...
Columbus Ohio
Still Cleveland. Had to win one sometime and it couldn't have happened to a worse city.
I am not from Cleveland (clearly), but that is a pretty nice city. It is better than many major cities, Detroit included.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
You are from Cleveland, not Sydney, but continue to perpetuate a lie.
noone from sydney has ever been to cleveland
I have. I was there this past weekend visiting a friend. I live in Manhattan now.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
The dingo ate your baby.
They don't call it the mistake on the lake for nothing.
A joke from 1974 that you heard from your parents. World Champs, only team in history to come back from 3-1 in the finals!
I am going to disagree with you. I live in Cleveland now and its terrible. Cleveland gives you the intial impression that it is a decent place but if you live here its pretty bad. I was somewhat excited to move here when I got a job offer I couldn't refuse but I am already looking to move.