20 Greatest franchises in American sports
During this unprecedented time in our country, we are realizing just how integral sports are to our daily lives. Whether we are watching, talking or participating, millions of us love sports of all varieties.
With that in mind, we researched and put together a list of the greatest American franchises in sports history--those teams that have been champions on the field and transcended the sports world. We considered team titles, cultural relevance and the estimated value of each franchise* to determine their place in American sports history.
Note: We are looking only teams based in the United States. Thus, Canadian franchises are not counted here, even if they play in an American league.
*Value based on 2019 numbers from Forbes magazine.
20.Los angeles dodgers
When a team calls the two largest cities in America home, they are bound to generate a tremendous following. The franchise traces its roots back to 1884 and is third all time in wins, second in pennants and sixth in World Series titles.
In regards to value, the Dodgers are only outpaced by the Yankees among MLB franchises.
19. boston bruins
Hockey fans are a rabid bunch, and the fans in Beantown are as passionate as any in the league. One of the "Original Six," the story of the NHL can't be told without the Bruins. They are six-time champions and rank second in league history in playoff appearances and total wins.
18. new york knicks
In the modern NBA, it can be hard to understand just how great the Knickerbocker legacy is. In spite of the struggles in recent years, the Knicks remain iconic. The name, the colors and Madison Square Garden are all part of a mystique that dates back to 1946.
The Knicks remain the third most valuable franchise in American sports at approximately $4 billion. They only have two championship banners hanging from the rafters, which is why they fall behind a few other basketball franchises.
17. oakland athletics
The A's may be the biggest surprise on this list. They may not be as consistent as some peers, but simply put, the Athletics win. Their nine World Series crowns are tied for third all time, a feat only eclipsed by the Yankees and Cardinals.
From their origins in Philadelphia and the Connie Mack Era all the way up to Dennis Eckersley and Co. in 1989, when the Athletics are great, their truly great.
16. chicago bulls
No team on this list did more work in a shorter amount of time than the Bulls. Most legacies are built over decades excellence. The Bulls did their work in just six seasons.
In spite of this small window, the Michael Jordan era in Chicago turned the athlete, the team and the franchise into mythical figures in the league. Their six titles are tied for third in NBA history
15. san francisco 49ers
What the Chicago Bulls were to 1990s NBA, the San Francisco 49ers were to 1980s NFL. Their window at the top was likewise minimal, but they were dominant in their prime. Over an eight-year span, they collected four Super Bowl wins. They tacked on a fifth title in 1994--a cumulative total that is third in NFL history.
The Niners also boast the fifth most playoff wins in league history, third-best playoff winning percentage and rank sixth in franchise value.
The legacy of the Warriors grew exponentially in the last decade. Perhaps THE team of the 2010s in all U.S. pro sports, Golden State looked like the Warriors of old, not the lackluster franchise of the 1990s and 2000s. The Warriors are one of three teams--along with the Celtics and Knicks--to survive since the founding of the league in 1946.
Thanks to their recent revitalizing, the Warriors are six-time champs, a tally only surpassed by the Lakers and Celtics. They were contenders in the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Their recent success has also catapulted them to sixth in value.
14. golden state warriors
13. chicago bears
When a team is as old as an entire league, that is a recipe for prominence. In terms of championship success, the Bears' greatest moments came before the Super Bowl; they claimed eight championships prior to the game's establishment, and finally snagged a Super Bowl title after the 1985 season.
Chicago remains a pillar of the league and one of its most recognizable brands. They stand as the winningest team in NFL history.
12. san francisco giants
The winningest team in MLB history--the San Francisco Giants. Beginning life as the New York Gothams in 1883, the Giants have gone on to hold a place atop nearly every baseball mountain.
Chiefly among them: eight World Series titles, including a trio of trophies in the 2010s. The Giants have also showcased some of the elite players in baseball history, sending 57 players to the hall of fame, more than any other team.
11. detroit red wings
Detroit is Hockeytown. In the United States, no city is more associated with the NHL and for good reason. Another famed "Original Six" franchise, the Red Wings have gone on to win more Stanley Cups--11--than other team in America. The Red Wings are also third in all-time wins.
When a team is synonymous with a league or a sport, that is seminal status. In America, the Red Wings are hockey.
10. boston red sox
Being a part of the most famed rivalry in professional sports is no small feat; being beloved in spite of an 83-year championship drought is even more impressive. So goes the much-discussed story of the Boston Red Sox. The up-and-down nature of the franchise has not precluded them from being an American institution.
In spite of their occasional struggles, the Red Sox are still third in World Series wins and third in MLB franchise value, narrowly behind the Dodgers.
9.st. louis cardinals
In terms of winning baseball, the only franchise better than the Cardinals is the Yankees. St. Louis is also top five in franchise wins, playoff wins and pennants.
As the oldest team on this list, founded in 1882, the Cardinals have also built a cult-like following in the Midwest. Their look is a tried and true classic amongst uniforms. Their current value ranking is also seventh in the majors.
8. new york giants
As the seventh most valuable franchise in American sports, the Giants brand is firmly entrenched in football lore. They are one of four remaining teams founded in the 1920s and have been consistent winners every decade.
Before the Super Bowl, the G-Men won four league titles; they have since added four more world championships in the Super Bowl era. They are also third in all-time franchise wins.
7. new england patriots
In this millennium, no team has seen greater success than the New England Patriots. The Pats have won six championships since 2000, the most of any "Big 4" team. This recent run catapulted them from mid-tier franchise to the envy of the league.
New England has also risen to second in value among NFL teams and are fourth overall among American franchsies. Culturally, the silver and blue is now one of the most iconic sports.
6. dallas cowboys
On the cultural relevance scale, no one beats the Cowboys. They were "America's Team" long before Jerry Jones became the owner; the excitable owner only made the brand more visible. The blue and silver star is now as recognizable as the league shield itself.
On the value scale, the Cowboys are also #1 on the entire planet, valued at $5 billion. The only component keeping Dallas lower on the list is the championship drought in recent decades, making the previous five titles feel like a memory.
5. pittsburgh steelers
As the winningest team in America's most popular sport, the Pittsburgh Steelers comfortable sit in the top tier. Their six Super Bowl wins are tied with the Patriots for the most all time.
Since their founding in 1933, the Steelers rank second in playoff wins, fourth in playoff appearances and fourth in cumulative wins. The old-school, blue-collar aura that surrounds the Steelers brand is the perfect fit for football. Steelers fan culture is one of America's most richest.
4. boston celtics
Who has the most championships and total wins in NBA history? The Boston Celtics. The most successful of the original three NBA teams, the Celtics have collected 17 titles since 1946, including 11 in 13 years throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Their second string of titles came during basketball's all-time greatest rivalry--Celtics versus Lakers in the 1980s. The rivalry ignited skyrocketed the reputation of both teams and the NBA.
3. Green bay packers
The Green Bay Packers are football. One of the three oldest teams in the NFL, the Packers are synonymous with the sport. Every archetype of football manifests in Green Bay--the passionate fans, cold winter days and communal tailgates; the cheeseheads are at the pinnacle of sports memorabilia. The green-and-gold color scheme is unique and classic.
The 100-year history of the Packers is packed with winning. Their 13 league titles--nine before the Super Bowl and four wins in the big game--are the most ever. Green Bay is also top five in winning percentage, total wins, and playoff appearances.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
A franchise doesn't get the name "Showtime" without reason. The Lakers earned their stature in Los Angeles, but the greatness dates back to their inception in Minnesota. They won the championship in their first season, all the way back in 1950; they would win three more in the next four years. That tally now stands at 16, second only to the Celtics.
The Lakers are the most iconic brand in American sports. From the name to the colors to the jerseys to the greats who wore them, everything about the Lakers evokes greatness and excitement. Everybody knows the Lakers.
1. New York Yankees
Which franchise has won the most championships in American sports history? The New York Yankees. And it is not even close. Their 27 is followed by the Boston Celtics 17. Their postseason greatness also includes the most appearances, most pennants and most division titles. The Bronx Bombers can also claim the greatest winning percentage in Major League Baseball.
The Yankees have also attained rarified air as a cultural touchstone. The simple "NY" hat transcends sports and now represents the whole city, not just the team. They are also the second most valuable sports franchise on the planet.