America’s Most Miserable Sports Cities

[Sassy]

America’s Most Miserable Sports Cities
By Tom Van Riper and Andrew Farrell, Forbes.com
Apr 10, 6:22 am EDT


That sports mantra was first made famous a generation ago by fans of the Brooklyn Dodgers, a powerful baseball team that nonetheless lost five of six World Series matchups to rival New York Yankees between 1947 and 1956.

With each excruciating loss, the tortured Brooklyn faithful immediately turned their attention to the next spring, when, they figured, a championship season would at last hatch. One finally did, when “next year” arrived in 1955. But that was just a respite. Dodger fans had their hearts broken again the next year by a seven-game Series loss to the Yankees. After just one more season came the ultimate heartbreak: The team left Brooklyn for the sunshine of southern California.



In Pictures: America’s 10 Most Miserable Sports Cities


There are really two types of misery in sports. There’s the well-chronicled misery that comes with futility, like the New Orleans Saints losing 60 percent of their games and qualifying for just six postseasons (and no Super Bowls) since their birth in 1967.

Then there’s the true misery that comes with repeated heartbreak. Even after celebrating two recent World Series titles, fans of the Boston Red Sox haven’t forgotten the pain associated with an 86-year championship drought, complete with near misses and names like Bucky Dent and Bill Buckner. They’d argue the gut-wrenching losses by teams good enough to win makes for an even worse experience than following a perennial loser that can’t get you excited in the first place.

It’s the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos (all from cities on our top 10 list) losing four Super Bowls. It’s the fans of Atlanta seeing their teams reach a combined six World Series and Super Bowls and win one of them (the Braves have also lost in the National League Championship Series six times).

Meanwhile, Atlanta’s local basketball and hockey teams have earned a combined 30 playoff appearances with just two conference finals appearances to show for. That’s why Atlanta tops our list of sports heartbreak cities, followed closely by Seattle, Buffalo, Phoenix and San Diego.

Since joining the ranks of big league sports in 1966, Atlanta has produced 56 playoff teams, of which 15 moved on to at least the final four of the NFL, NBA or Major League Baseball postseason (neither of its two hockey teams, the Flames and Thrashers, have gotten there). Just one club, the 1995 Braves, won a championship. It adds up to one title in 142 cumulative seasons of sports.

The results haven’t been much better in Seattle, home to one championship (the 1979 Sonics) in 105 seasons and 11 final-four appearances (their Stanley Cup win was pre-NHL). Recent disappointments include the Seahawks’ 2006 Super Bowl defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Mariners’ 2001 playoff loss to the Yankees following a historic 116-46 regular season.

How to figure which fans have endured the most pain? To start, we checked the records of those teams that have performed worst in the World Series, Super Bowl (or NFL and AFL title games before the Super Sunday era), NBA (and ABA) finals and NHL Stanley Cup finals.

Next, we looked at records of teams one round earlier, compiling a list of ball clubs with the worst success rate in each sport’s semifinal rounds over the years, followed by those performing the poorest in earlier playoff rounds. Second-place finishes in baseball count in this round, given the sport’s low number of playoff teams. Who can forget the those tough pennant races like the Red Sox’s 1978 loss to the Yankees on Bucky Dent’s homer in a one-game tiebreaker, or the Phillies’ famous 1964 collapse, when they blew a 6½-game National League lead with 12 games to play?.

To give the pure championship drought factor a voice, we gave some weight to each city’s ratio of total seasons (all four sports combined) to championships. And since few things can break fans’ hearts more than seeing their team pack up and move – just ask former rooters of the Dodgers, original Cleveland Browns or Baltimore Colts – cities whose fans were abandoned were awarded heartbreak bonus points.

We limited the study to cities with at least 75 cumulative football, basketball, baseball and hockey seasons, including older franchises that have since moved on, like the Philadelphia (now Golden State) Warriors and Cleveland (now St. Louis, via Los Angeles) Rams. And figuring no fan who has seen his team win a championship in the past five years could be too heart broken, we eliminated those cities that have produced at least one title since 2003.

With the 2008 baseball season under way, many sports pundits are picking the Braves to make it back to the postseason after a two-year absence. Poor Atlanta.

The top five:

1. Atlanta, Ga.: Slideshow
2. Seattle, Wash.: Slideshow
3. Buffalo, N.Y.: Slideshow
4. Phoenix, Ariz.: Slideshow
5. San Diego, Calif.: Slideshow Ha!
• More miserable sports cities

[Sassy]

7. Denver, Colo.

Teams: Broncos (NFL-AFL), Rockies (MLB), Nuggets (NBA-ABA), Avalanche (NHL), Rockies (NHL)

Title round record: 4-6 (20th)

Semifinal round record: 10-11 (19th)

Total seasons/early playoff-round exits (or baseball 2nd place): 113/31 (18th)

Total seasons/championships: 113/4 (14th)

Years since last title: 7 (9th)

Teams lost: 1 (original Rockies - NHL)

The Nuggets deprived the local faithful of the last American Basketball Association title in 1976, when they were upset by the New York Nets. The Broncos' four Super Bowl losses tie them with Buffalo and Minnesota for the most ever, though wins in their last two took away some of the sting.

[Sassy]

6. Houston
7. Denver
8. Cleveland
9. Philly
10. Minnesota

[FADERPROOF]

Cleveland has to be in the top 3, Cavs, Browns, and Indians have all gone through some miserable times.

[tsiguy96]

denver is in top 10 worst cities? would have never guessed that. 6 superbowl APPEARANCES is nice, a decent hockey team, a world series baseball team, and i have no clue if the nuggets are good, i thought they were almost in playoffs?

[Punisher]

Philadelphia should be higher on the list and where the hell is cincinnati

[Tombstone RJ]

This is a BS list. Denver anywhere in the top 20 is BS.

If Denver is in the top 10, Miami should be too. Miami has 3 championships in the last 20 years, and Denver has 4.

MIAMI, FL
2 MLB (I don't know number of playoff appearances)
1 NBA (several appearances)
0 NFL (1 SB appearance, many playoff apearances)
0 NHL (1 Stanley Cup appearance, don't know how many playoffs)

DENVER, CO
0 MLB (1 WS appearance, 2 playoff appearances)
0 NBA (several playoff appearances, don't know how many exactly)
2 NFL (5 SB appearances, 2 NFL championships, multiple playoffs)
2 NHL (2 Stanley Cups, perennial playoff contendar)

[missingnumber7]

How does Phoenix land in the top 5...or do the diamondbacks not count for them. I think MN needs to be higher(how does a hockey state lose a hockey team). When i have time i might have to look at this closer.

[Arkansas Bronco]

Other than the tigers Memphis sucks. I still go to Griz games when I can but the house is empty. Seems like very few still support them.

[sixtimeseight]

Wow, Forbes magazine thinks we're a miserable sports city. Who ****ing cares. Why do people even post this tripe?

[Atlas]

Wow, Forbes magazine thinks we're a miserable sports city. Who ****ing cares. Why do people even post this tripe?

Because it's a football forum??? Maybe??? Could be???

[TDmvp]

this list is BS .... no cincinnati .... yea right ...... take denver out and add cincy

[Bronx33]

This list was written by an idiot

[24champ]

You guys didn't read what the author stated for the two reasons he picked these cities. One is "futility" like the Saints and their crappy history and the other is heartbreaking games.

Losing 4 super bowls still tick off a lot of the old timers on here.

That being said I disagree with placing Denver in the top 10.


One thing that is really missing from the list is Kansas City. The have the worst baseball team ever, as well as the one of the worst football franchises in the NFL. Then again I guess that reflects on KC fans who are content with being losers.

[lex]

Im convinced this is written by some bitter Masshole.

[Peoples Champ]

denver is in top 10 worst cities? would have never guessed that. 6 superbowl APPEARANCES is nice, a decent hockey team, a world series baseball team, and i have no clue if the nuggets are good, i thought they were almost in playoffs?



I would say a better than decent hockey team, we have two stanley cups and they have only been in denver since 1995-1996, Thats pretty impressive when some hockey clubs have never won, or have taken longer than that to win in a city.

(even though we were not an expansion team)

[kmartin575]

You guys didn't read what the author stated for the two reasons he picked these cities. One is "futility" like the Saints and their crappy history and the other is heartbreaking games.

Losing 4 super bowls still tick off a lot of the old timers on here.

That being said I disagree with placing Denver in the top 10.


One thing that is really missing from the list is Kansas City. The have the worst baseball team ever, as well as the one of the worst football franchises in the NFL. Then again I guess that reflects on KC fans who are content with being losers.


One of the worst football franchises in the NFL? That's a bunch of horse****. Regardless of our lack of recent postseason success I don't think it is debateable at all that this is one of the more respected franchises in the NFL. You assholes in Denver have no respect.

And I don't seem to be able to find any Rockies world series championships. AT least the Royals have won the world series.

[Kaylore]

One of the worst football franchises in the NFL? That's a bunch of horse****. Regardless of our lack of recent postseason success I don't think it is debateable at all that this is one of the more respected franchises in the NFL. You a-holes in Denver have no respect.

And I don't seem to be able to find any Rockies world series championships. AT least the Royals have won the world series.

:spit: Ha! Hilarious!

[Doggcow]

Im convinced this is written by some bitter Ma-hole.

Probably, 18-1!

[lex]

4 championships since 1996 and we're actually ahead of Cleveland which we Charlie Brown-ed three times in the past. And Cleveland hasnt won a championship since the Browns won in the mid-early 60s. Not only that but they actually lost their franchise at one point. This list is utter garbage put together by someone with an axe to grind.

[Peoples Champ]

One of the worst football franchises in the NFL? That's a bunch of horse****. Regardless of our lack of recent postseason success I don't think it is debateable at all that this is one of the more respected franchises in the NFL. You a-holes in Denver have no respect.

And I don't seem to be able to find any Rockies world series championships. AT least the Royals have won the world series.


The Royals have been around forever, the rockies are brand new and they have already been to a world series more recently than the royals, Edge goes to the Rockies for getting there and being an expansion team in 1993.

PS, how are those Kansas City hockey or basketball teams doing these days?
Ya I would say you need at least 3 of 4 major sports in the city to be a decent sports town.....Indianapolis you too, get a baseball team or hockey. Does that make Indianapolis the best sports town in the USA because they are 1 of 1 in championships (pacers never there because of the Bulls and colts were not in Indy when they lost the superbowls, indy colts are 1 for 1)

[24champ]

One of the worst football franchises in the NFL? That's a bunch of horse****. Regardless of our lack of recent postseason success I don't think it is debateable at all that this is one of the more respected franchises in the NFL. You a-holes in Denver have no respect.

And I don't seem to be able to find any Rockies world series championships. AT least the Royals have won the world series.

It is one of the worst football franchises in the NFL. Not very many playoff wins or appearances. Some of which you guess depended on other teams losing and backed into the playoffs. Secondly there is not much to respect of KC, hence why we don't respect your crap teams. Then again you prove my point, KC is content with rooting for bottom of the barrel crap teams and calling it "one of the most respected franchises in the NFL". Hilarious!

As far as the Royals go, I doubt they sniff the World Series this century. That's how bad they suck.

[bronco militia]

cleveland and buffalo should be your top two.....

denver has won 4 champioships in the last 12 years so that should push them out of the top 20

[Peoples Champ]

cleveland and buffalo should be your top two.....

denver has won 4 champioships in the last 12 years so that should push them out of the top 20



Ya it should go by championships won. not your championship record. Like a batting average. Some guy going 1 for 1, yes he is batting a 1000, but everyone knows that doesnt mean anything. With success comes failure.

Is indianapolis the best sports town just because they are 1 for 1 in championships?

My point is taken

[Ugly Duck]

denver has won 4 champioships in the last 12 years so that should push them out of the top 20

I think the author had the SB losses in mind. Don't the Broncos have the NFL record for losing in the SB?

[bronco militia]

I think the author had the SB losses in mind. Don't the Broncos have the NFL record for losing in the SB?

Bills, Vikings, and Broncos all have 4 losses in the superbowl

[Peoples Champ]

I think the author had the SB losses in mind. Don't the Broncos have the NFL record for losing in the SB?


I thought they say its better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved before.

[Spider]

One of the worst football franchises in the NFL? That's a bunch of horse****. Regardless of our lack of recent postseason success I don't think it is debateable at all that this is one of the more respected franchises in the NFL. You a-holes in Denver have no respect.

And I don't seem to be able to find any Rockies world series championships. AT least the Royals have won the world series.

ROFL! anyone claiming Kansas city is Better then Denver in any respect , should seek professional help ASAP

[Mountain Bronco]

Denver is a great sports city PERIOD. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a freaking retard.

[Ugly Duck]

I thought they say its better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved before.

Actually, now that you mention it.... I think I do recall that as the main sentiment here on the Mane when Oakland lost the SB five years ago. I thank you for your understanding, your sentiment, and apologize if I offended anyone with my question.

[Peoples Champ]

Actually, now that you mention it.... I think I do recall that as the main sentiment here on the Mane when Oakland lost the SB five years ago. I thank you for your understanding, your sentiment, and apologize if I offended anyone with my question.



Yes, I would rather be 1 for 20 in superbowls than be 1 for 1.

So our superbowl wins are awesome, even though broncos have a losing superbowl record.

[BMF Bronco]

Yes, I would rather be 1 for 20 in superbowls than be 1 for 1.

So our superbowl wins are awesome, even though broncos have a losing superbowl record.

if you really look at it, it makes the wins that much sweeter!

[BMF Bronco]

Denver is a great sports city PERIOD. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a freaking retard.

even outside of the main four major sports, look at the fan base and how Colorado is always competitive in the "secondary" sports, The Mammoth, Crush, Rapids, and so on. **** this stupid ass list, Forbes can piss off.

[BroncoBuff]

Denver is a great sports city PERIOD. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a freaking retard.
Definitely true. When Denver became a 4-major sports town in 1995, I think there were only 5 or 6 others. That's saying a lot for a market this size.

[BroncoBuff]

Normally I'd argue with Seattle being #2 on that list ... but it's pretty miserable up here today. The Sonics played perhaps their last home game ever last night.

Seahawks and Mariners are two VERY healthy franchises, though ... excellent attendance and fan support. Heck, the Sonics had good attendance and support too, only problem was the worst arena in major sports.



BTW - why did the author exclude COLLEGE sports? That's two college hockey championships the last four years. They should count, it's the University of DENVER, after all. And one college football championship 17 years ago, that's very cool too.

[FADERPROOF]

4 championships since 1996 and we're actually ahead of Cleveland which we Charlie Brown-ed three times in the past. And Cleveland hasnt won a championship since the Browns won in the mid-early 60s. Not only that but they actually lost their franchise at one point. This list is utter garbage put together by someone with an axe to grind.

That's why I said that Cleveland needs to be at least in the top 3 miserable sports cities. The Browns last title came in in 1964 and has not even been to a Super Bowl, the Indians last World Series win was in 1948 and have only been to the World Series 3 times since(1954-Swept by NY Giants, 1995-Lost in 6 to the Braves, 1997-Lost in 7 to the Marlins), and the Cavs have yet to win a title and last year's sweep by the San Antonio Spurs was the first time even making the finals.

They have lost the Browns once as mentioned, along with numerous minor league hockey teams, and the Cleveland Rockers WNBA franchise as well. Add in the heartbreaking losses by the Browns(red right 88 against Oakland, The drive against Denver, he fumble against Denver, 2001 playoff loss to rival Pittsburgh by blowing a huge 4th quarter lead), the Cavs(Jordan's shot over Ehlo), and the Indians(Losing game 7 of World series to the Marlins by blowing a save and losing in extra innings, last year's ALCS up 3-1 in series to have the Red Sox win 3 straight and the series), Cleveland is completely miserable.

[BMF Bronco]

BTW - why did the author exclude COLLEGE sports? That's two college hockey championships the last four years. They should count, it's the University of DENVER, after all. And one college football championship 17 years ago, that's very cool too.

I am hoping there is a TON of sarcasm in this statement!

[lex]

That's why I said that Cleveland needs to be at least in the top 3 miserable sports cities. The Browns last title came in in 1964 and has not even been to a Super Bowl, the Indians last World Series win was in 1948 and have only been to the World Series 3 times since(1954-Swept by NY Giants, 1995-Lost in 6 to the Braves, 1997-Lost in 7 to the Marlins), and the Cavs have yet to win a title and last year's sweep by the San Antonio Spurs was the first time even making the finals.

They have lost the Browns once as mentioned, along with numerous minor league hockey teams, and the Cleveland Rockers WNBA franchise as well. Add in the heartbreaking losses by the Browns(red right 88 against Oakland, The drive against Denver, he fumble against Denver, 2001 playoff loss to rival Pittsburgh by blowing a huge 4th quarter lead), the Cavs(Jordan's shot over Ehlo), and the Indians(Losing game 7 of World series to the Marlins by blowing a save and losing in extra innings, last year's ALCS up 3-1 in series to have the Red Sox win 3 straight and the series), Cleveland is completely miserable.

Another thing that should be pointed out is that Denver is one of the smallest cities to have a team in the 4 major sports, and they support all the teams, namely the Broncos. When the Rockies first became a franchise, Denver smashed the attendance record for an expansion team's inaugural season. And of course the Broncos have a sell out streak that dates back to well before they even fielded a winning team.

Basically, from all perspectives, Denver is a great sports town. OK, Denver has lost 4 SBs but theyve also won two. And losing a SB doesnt erase the fact that those seasons up until the super bowl losses were overwhelming successes in all cases. This piece is just beyond dumb but it enables you to spot a masshole from miles away.

[Vegas_Bronco]

http://www.nflgridirongab.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/sportsbook.JPG

Best Sports Town in America.........my vote - Las Vegas!

More analysis on every game in American everyday than any other city period!

More sportsbars and books than any other city.

More ecclectic fan base than any other city.

Most diverse sporting city to not have 1 pro team.

just my 2 cents.

[vailitaliano319]

who created this list... Shaun Saulsburry and Bryant Gumbel?

[Vegas_Bronco]

Denver is a great city but the stadiums need to be closer together - that makes for a crazy sportsenvironment like Boston, Cincy, and other cities where these great venues are right in the heart of the city. Invesco is just too removed from the city center. Don't get me wrong, I think the stadium itself is the best and nicest in the NFL hands down! But it is too removed from the neighboring sportsbars which surround the bball stadium - they need to be together. A baseball stadium and football stadium within 1 mile of each other makes for a crazy environment. I love Cincinnatti with their new stadiums downtown on the waterfront and their bball venue within 1 block it is pretty amazing place in late fall.

[Killericon]

The Avalanche have been one of the most, if not the most successful NHL team since they moved to Denver.

Crap ranking for Denver.

[Peoples Champ]

Denver is a great city but the stadiums need to be closer together - that makes for a crazy sportsenvironment like Boston, Cincy, and other cities where these great venues are right in the heart of the city. Invesco is just too removed from the city center. Don't get me wrong, I think the stadium itself is the best and nicest in the NFL hands down! But it is too removed from the neighboring sportsbars which surround the bball stadium - they need to be together. A baseball stadium and football stadium within 1 mile of each other makes for a crazy environment. I love Cincinnatti with their new stadiums downtown on the waterfront and their bball venue within 1 block it is pretty amazing place in late fall.


Boston? isnt Gillette stadium in Foxburough, NE? by Rhode Island almost?

Also, Detroit Pistons play in Auburn hills, Arizona cardinals play in scottsdale, dallas cowboys play outside dallas somewhere, Yankess play in the bronx and are well separated by the knicks, the new san fransisco giants will be far from downtown san fran, cubs play in wrigleyville, downtown yes, but forever away from solder field. Green bay plays in Green bay, totally far from all other pro teams in milwaukee, cheifs play in KC, MO. far from downtown KC


If you have ever been to other sports towns, you will realize that Denvers teams are really close. I have walked from the Pepsi Center to Invesco, its not far at all, and Coors isnt too far, just in a different district.

Sometimes it sux being in the middle of downtown, I have been to Indy to see the colts vs broncos. There was hardly any tailgating and not nearly as fun as Invesco, sometimes its an advantage being slightly outside the heart of downtown, more tailgaiting and more pre game activities.

[Peoples Champ]

[QUOTE=

Best Sports Town in America.........my vote - Las Vegas!

More analysis on every game in American everyday than any other city period!

More sportsbars and books than any other city.

More ecclectic fan base than any other city.

Most diverse sporting city to not have 1 pro team.

just my 2 cents.[/QUOTE]



Great point, i never though of that angle

Maybe its because I love Vegas so much.

[BMF Bronco]

Denver is a great city but the stadiums need to be closer together - that makes for a crazy sportsenvironment like Boston, Cincy, and other cities where these great venues are right in the heart of the city. Invesco is just too removed from the city center. Don't get me wrong, I think the stadium itself is the best and nicest in the NFL hands down! But it is too removed from the neighboring sportsbars which surround the bball stadium - they need to be together. A baseball stadium and football stadium within 1 mile of each other makes for a crazy environment. I love Cincinnatti with their new stadiums downtown on the waterfront and their bball venue within 1 block it is pretty amazing place in late fall.

huh? too far apart? for whom?!

http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2004/hotelMap.pdf

as you can see on this map, all three major sports venues are all located geographically within the city of denver and pretty damn close to one another. Two weekends ago, I made it from Coors Field to the Pepsi Center in rush hour traffic in no time at all.

[Peoples Champ]

huh? too far apart? for whom?!

http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2004/hotelMap.pdf

as you can see on this map, all three major sports venues are all located geographically within the city of denver and pretty damn close to one another. Two weekends ago, I made it from Coors Field to the Pepsi Center in rush hour traffic in no time at all.




Yes, thats what I said two posts above. I think they are all close, especially compared to other citys.

[BroncoBuff]

Boston? isnt Gillette stadium in Foxburough, NE? by Rhode Island almost? Also, Detroit Pistons play in Auburn hills, Arizona cardinals play in scottsdale, dallas cowboys play outside dallas somewhere, Yankess play in the bronx and are well separated by the knicks, the new san fransisco giants will be far from downtown san fran, cubs play in wrigleyville, downtown yes, but forever away from solder field. Green bay plays in Green bay, totally far from all other pro teams in milwaukee, cheifs play in KC, MO. far from downtown KC

If you have ever been to other sports towns, you will realize that Denvers teams are really close. I have walked from the Pepsi Center to Invesco, its not far at all, and Coors isnt too far, just in a different district.
I agree totally .... Denver has VERY closely grouped public sites and landmarks.


http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/488/38043126sl4.jpg
1 - Invesco Field
2 - Pepsi Center
3 - Coors Field
4 - U.S. Mint
5 - Denver City and County Building
6 - Colorado State Capitol
7 - Cash Register Building
8 - Denver Convention Center - Democratic Convention there in 3 months
9 - CU-Denver / Metro State
11 - Elitchs' Amusement Park


Strangest part is .... I don't understand why there's no Pepsi logo on top the Pepsi Center ???

[Vegas_Bronco]

http://pittsburgh.about.com/library/graphics/heinzfield-view.jpg
Pittsburghs Heinz Field - great location

http://blog.petaflop.de/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/seahawks-stadium-and-safeco-field-from-pike-market-square-stadion-waterfront-seattle-washington-usa-dscn3453.jpg
Seattle Stadiums

Cincinnati Stadiums are very close together - when they are so dense throughout the downtown area, it makes for a better sports environment.

I wish Invesco and Coors were located in the heart of downtown - that would be cool.

[BMF Bronco]

They pretty much are

[Vegas_Bronco]

huh? too far apart? for whom?!

http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2004/hotelMap.pdf

as you can see on this map, all three major sports venues are all located geographically within the city of denver and pretty damn close to one another. Two weekends ago, I made it from Coors Field to the Pepsi Center in rush hour traffic in no time at all.

Yeah, but not sooo much. Look how close Paul Brown and Great American are in Cincy - good example of a well built sports town. Another is Seattle with both stadiums feeding off of one another.

Denver's stadiums are nice but are locationally detached to the pedestrian - they need to be downtown or right next to one another (within 1 mile) to really get the feel of a sports town - Coors field looks to be 25 miles away from Invesco and vice versa. Invesco needs some good sports bars surrounding the area. I know its a rough area, but someone needs to take the initiative and build something new and cool in the immediate area.

[BMF Bronco]

Have you been to denver and seen the locations? Coors is MAYBE a bit more than a mile from Invesco.

[Vegas_Bronco]

Here is my rule of thumb in judging a sports city:

1) Number of venues and their Density
2) Attendance
3) Setting of Venues (is it a park like setting or a damn concrete prison; is it in the heart of the city or isolated on an island; are there any sports bars, if so, how many?)
4) Tradition Moreso than Success/Winning% (you don't have to have a winning team to have a great sports city)
5) National fanbase following - ability to OWN every seat in the house with hometown colors.

[BMF Bronco]

oh I am not giving you **** or being a dick, I was just wondering. I may be a total homer but I love Denver as a sports town!

[sixtimeseight]

I wish Invesco and Coors were located in the heart of downtown - that would be cool.
uhh.... Coors is in the heart of downtown. Invesco isn't that far away, certainly walking distance. Have you ever actually been to Denver before?

[Peoples Champ]

If Invesco wasnt where it is now, we would not have these high tailgating rankings

http://hightechtailgating.com/tabid/143/default.aspx

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/09/10/daily1.html?ana=from_rss

http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/news/story?id=2569521

[Peoples Champ]

uhh.... Coors is in the heart of downtown. Invesco isn't that far away, certainly walking distance. Have you ever actually been to Denver before?


I would also say Coors is in the heart of downtown. If you have ever been to KC, you will realize how close Denver stadiums are from down town. Same goes to Wrigleyville for the cubs. You could never walk from Michigan Ave to wrigleyville. Detriot pistons play in a different city(auburn hills). Detroit Lions play way outside downtown Detroit. Patriots play in foxborough. I think the Texas Rangers play in Arlington?

I would consider Denver to be lucky to have all stadiums so close to each other and downtown. Yes Cincinatti might be better, or seattle, but I would say Denver has to be up there. You dont realize how good you have it until you go somewhere else.

[Atwater His Ass]

Seattle is nice as Safeco and Qwest field are literally across the street from one another bascially right downtown on the waterfront.
However, you defeniately wouldn't want to walk to Key Arena from there, but isn't really problem now anyway since the Sonics are more than likely toast.

Denver is the best though. Terrific fans and sporting environment.

I wouldn't really get too worked up over some article. As painful as they were, losing those 4 Super Bowls only made the back-to-back championships taste all that much better. There are a lot of good sports cities in America and Denver ranks right up with at the top, and only someone who has an axe to grind or hasn't experienced the Colorado sporting environment would say otherwise. In either case, they aren't worth listening too.