Which team in each pro sport has the least amount of fans?

LivnLegend · 10-27-2003, 02:38 PM

I’m not talking about representation on this board or just attendance numbers from last year. I am just looking to speculate on which teams in each of the three major sports (I guess you hockey nuts can make a case for the NHL team with the smallest fan base as well) has the least representation nationwide or worldwide.

MLB – Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They have a short history, being one of the last two added teams. They have had no winning seasons. They play in a state where the other team, a much more successful franchise, barely has any fans either except during the postseason.

NFL – I have seen and met fans of every team, even the crappy ones like the Seahawks and Jaguars. Every team but one, that is – the Arizona Cardinals. When the Rams and Raiders left LA, many of their fans stayed true to their team. When the Cardinals left St. Louis, did anyone there really care? I am sure their absence was made much easier by the fact the Rams came to town. I have gone to a couple Cardinals games at Sun Devil Stadium (once vs. Raiders, once vs. Chargers) and the opposing team’s fans seemed to outnumber the hometown’s fans.

NBA – I live in LA and I barely know any Los Angels Clippers fans. Fans are overwhelmingly supportive of the Lakers in SoCal while the Clippers get no run, no support, no love. They aren't even lovable losers like the Cubs. They are just losers.

jaxmagicman · 10-27-2003, 02:40 PM

I can agree with all of those teams. But I think the Devil Rays have a small Cult Following while I can tell you I really have never met/heard of any one who likes the Clippers. As for the Cardinals, my wife likes them, so They have 1 fan.

Enkiel · 10-27-2003, 02:44 PM

wow, i sure am impressed you didnt talk about the Expos.... though every American hated them

matskralc · 10-27-2003, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enkiel
wow, i sure am impressed you didnt talk about the Expos.... though every American hated them

The Expos most likely have more fans in America than they do in Canada, let alone Montreal.

jaxmagicman · 10-27-2003, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enkiel
wow, i sure am impressed you didnt talk about the Expos.... though every American hated them

Ah, the loveable losers from Cananda.

draven085 · 10-27-2003, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jaxmagicman
Ah, the loveable losers from Cananda.

The end of that statement was a bit redundant.

atarizx3 · 10-27-2003, 03:07 PM

howabout the Brewers?

Bobbuttons · 10-27-2003, 03:10 PM

The Washington Generals.

Vris · 10-27-2003, 03:12 PM

my buddy likes the brewers...only because their name is the brewers (hes an alcoholic)

The Atlanta Braves don't have much of a following. Their fans will go to games, but they don't really care much for the outcome. I, however, love the Braves and live and die by what happens (they had no chance against the Cubs).

ey215 · 10-27-2003, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LivnLegend
I’m not talking about representation on this board or just attendance numbers from last year. I am just looking to speculate on which teams in each of the three major sports (I guess you hockey nuts can make a case for the NHL team with the smallest fan base as well) has the least representation nationwide or worldwide.

MLB – Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They have a short history, being one of the last two added teams. They have had no winning seasons. They play in a state where the other team, a much more successful franchise, barely has any fans either except during the postseason.

NFL – I have seen and met fans of every team, even the crappy ones like the Seahawks and Jaguars. Every team but one, that is – the Arizona Cardinals. When the Rams and Raiders left LA, many of their fans stayed true to their team. When the Cardinals left St. Louis, did anyone there really care? I am sure their absence was made much easier by the fact the Rams came to town. I have gone to a couple Cardinals games at Sun Devil Stadium (once vs. Raiders, once vs. Chargers) and the opposing team’s fans seemed to outnumber the hometown’s fans.

NBA – I live in LA and I barely know any Los Angels Clippers fans. Fans are overwhelmingly supportive of the Lakers in SoCal while the Clippers get no run, no support, no love. They aren't even lovable losers like the Cubs. They are just losers.

Heck, I live in Arizona and don't know any Cardinals fans. I personally hope they do well (unless they're playing the Broncos) but no one really cares if they are here or not.

Gastric ReFlux · 10-27-2003, 03:14 PM

I heard the Chargers are so desperate for fans they won't even be charging for people to get into the game on Monday night!

Jason Moyer · 10-27-2003, 03:14 PM

MLB - Expos
NFL - Cardinals
NBA - Cavaliers
NHL - Flames
F1 - Sauber

Jason

marc · 10-27-2003, 04:46 PM

MLB - Brewers/d-rays
NFL - cards
NBA - Grizzlies
NHL - Thrashers

kq76 · 10-27-2003, 05:05 PM

NHL - Nashville - http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attend..._avg&year=2003
MLB - Montreal - http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/attend...3&seasonType=2
NFL - Arizona - http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/attend..._avg&year=2002
NBA - Cleveland - http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attend...3&seasonType=2

The Cavaliers probably have the best shot of those teams of turning things around. I imagine the other 3 have very little hope.

EDIT: I used total (home and away) attendance as I figure that's probably more indicative of how many fans a team has, rather than just local fans.

EDIT2: I'm surprised to see someone say the Flames. They ranked 17th out of 30 teams in both home and overall attendance. Not good, but not bad either.

LivnLegend · 10-27-2003, 05:06 PM

Jason and Marc, good call on the Cavs and Grizzlies. Prior to this season, I'd tend to agree on the Cavs. My guess is a certain hyped rookie will help bring in a lot of new fans to the fold. As for the Grizzlies, they could give the Clippers a good run for the #1 spot in this ranking.

I think the Expos certainly have a small fan base but I'd rank them no better than 3rd or 4th worst, just going by my unscientific observations.

Jeremy Weimer · 10-27-2003, 05:44 PM

Actually, the Grizzlies are building a fanbase because of the team they're putting together and they've been playing better since moving to Memphis. Yeah they had almost no fans in Vancouver but since being in Memphis they're getting some attention and some fans. I know a few people that are big time fans of them and don't live anywhere near Memphis.

ill16ca · 10-27-2003, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jason Moyer
MLB - Expos
NHL - Flames

Expos? No. Everyone in Canada outside of Montreal likes them.

Flames? No. Hockey is big in Canada as you know.

kq76 · 10-27-2003, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ill16ca
Expos? No. Everyone in Canada outside of Montreal likes them.

Likes them or feels sorry them as in wanting to take the poor wounded animal on the side of the road home to make it better? Sure. Likes them as in a fan, as in follows how they are doing throughout the season and gets excited if they do well, which is what we were talking about? I doubt it.

ill16ca · 10-27-2003, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kq76
Likes them or feels sorry them as in wanting to take the poor wounded animal on the side of the road home to make it better? Sure. Likes them as in a fan, as in follows how they are doing throughout the season and gets excited if they do well, which is what we were talking about? I doubt it.

Usually, those are one in the same.

Jason Moyer · 10-27-2003, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ill16ca
Flames? No. Hockey is big in Canada as you know.

How are those Nordiques doing this year?

Jason

10-27-2003, 02:40 PM	#2
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	I can agree with all of those teams. But I think the Devil Rays have a small Cult Following while I can tell you I really have never met/heard of any one who likes the Clippers. As for the Cardinals, my wife likes them, so They have 1 fan. __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

10-27-2003, 02:44 PM	#3
Enkiel Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Québec City Posts: 155	wow, i sure am impressed you didnt talk about the Expos.... though every American hated them __________________ Taken from Quebec's TV Show : You know why we love Viet Nam people so much? they won agains USA

10-27-2003, 03:07 PM	#7
atarizx3 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Allenstown, NH Posts: 987	howabout the Brewers? __________________

10-27-2003, 03:10 PM	#8
Bobbuttons Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Picturesque Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio Posts: 3,708	The Washington Generals. __________________ Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do....cause they're fast! Gibson swings, and a fly ball to deep right field! This is gonna be a home run! Unbelievable! A home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the game, 5 to 4; I don't believe what I just saw! I don't believe what I just saw!

10-27-2003, 03:14 PM	#12
Jason Moyer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,106	MLB - Expos NFL - Cardinals NBA - Cavaliers NHL - Flames F1 - Sauber Jason __________________ "I pretty much popped everything cold turkey. We were doing steroids they wouldn't give to horses." -- Tom House "I was very fortunate to have a pitching coach by the name of Tom House...Tom, I really miss those days that we spent in the weight room and out on the field working together." -- Nolan Ryan's HoF Induction Speech

10-27-2003, 02:38 PM	#1
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	Which team in each pro sport has the least amount of fans? I’m not talking about representation on this board or just attendance numbers from last year. I am just looking to speculate on which teams in each of the three major sports (I guess you hockey nuts can make a case for the NHL team with the smallest fan base as well) has the least representation nationwide or worldwide. MLB – Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They have a short history, being one of the last two added teams. They have had no winning seasons. They play in a state where the other team, a much more successful franchise, barely has any fans either except during the postseason. NFL – I have seen and met fans of every team, even the crappy ones like the Seahawks and Jaguars. Every team but one, that is – the Arizona Cardinals. When the Rams and Raiders left LA, many of their fans stayed true to their team. When the Cardinals left St. Louis, did anyone there really care? I am sure their absence was made much easier by the fact the Rams came to town. I have gone to a couple Cardinals games at Sun Devil Stadium (once vs. Raiders, once vs. Chargers) and the opposing team’s fans seemed to outnumber the hometown’s fans. NBA – I live in LA and I barely know any Los Angels Clippers fans. Fans are overwhelmingly supportive of the Lakers in SoCal while the Clippers get no run, no support, no love. They aren't even lovable losers like the Cubs. They are just losers. __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling.

10-27-2003, 03:12 PM	#9
Vris Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: somewhere where I don't know where I am Posts: 3,251	my buddy likes the brewers...only because their name is the brewers (hes an alcoholic) The Atlanta Braves don't have much of a following. Their fans will go to games, but they don't really care much for the outcome. I, however, love the Braves and live and die by what happens (they had no chance against the Cubs).

10-27-2003, 03:14 PM	#11
Gastric ReFlux Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Member #3409 Posts: 8,350	I heard the Chargers are so desperate for fans they won't even be charging for people to get into the game on Monday night!

10-27-2003, 04:46 PM	#13
marc Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,505	MLB - Brewers/d-rays NFL - cards NBA - Grizzlies NHL - Thrashers __________________

10-27-2003, 05:05 PM	#14
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 11,997	NHL - Nashville - http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attend..._avg&year=2003 MLB - Montreal - http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/attend...3&seasonType=2 NFL - Arizona - http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/attend..._avg&year=2002 NBA - Cleveland - http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attend...3&seasonType=2 The Cavaliers probably have the best shot of those teams of turning things around. I imagine the other 3 have very little hope. EDIT: I used total (home and away) attendance as I figure that's probably more indicative of how many fans a team has, rather than just local fans. EDIT2: I'm surprised to see someone say the Flames. They ranked 17th out of 30 teams in both home and overall attendance. Not good, but not bad either. __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project) For Beta/Devs: Full screen (1920x1080) Last edited by kq76; 10-27-2003 at 05:11 PM.

10-27-2003, 05:06 PM	#15
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	Jason and Marc, good call on the Cavs and Grizzlies. Prior to this season, I'd tend to agree on the Cavs. My guess is a certain hyped rookie will help bring in a lot of new fans to the fold. As for the Grizzlies, they could give the Clippers a good run for the #1 spot in this ranking. I think the Expos certainly have a small fan base but I'd rank them no better than 3rd or 4th worst, just going by my unscientific observations. __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling.

10-27-2003, 05:44 PM	#16
Jeremy Weimer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,411	Actually, the Grizzlies are building a fanbase because of the team they're putting together and they've been playing better since moving to Memphis. Yeah they had almost no fans in Vancouver but since being in Memphis they're getting some attention and some fans. I know a few people that are big time fans of them and don't live anywhere near Memphis.