StrawPoll

The Most Successful Sports Franchise, Ranked

Choose the sports franchise you think is the most successful!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:58
Determining the most successful sports franchise often stirs up passionate debates among fans. By listing out these franchises based on their achievements, accolades, and overall performance, fans get a clearer image of excellence within sports history. This list serves as a tribute as well as a measure of consistency, resilience, and peak performance achieving teams across eras. Fans' votes play a crucial role in shaping this list, reflecting not just record and statistics, but also fan affection and loyalty. As viewers contribute their votes, the dynamic nature of the list allows it to continually reflect changing opinions and discussions in the sports community. This interactive process not only enhances engagement but also connects fans from diverse backgrounds through their shared love and respect for outstanding sportsmanship.

What Is the Most Successful Sports Franchise?

  1. 1
    49
    votes

    New York Yankees

    The Yankees have won 27 World Series championships, more than any other team in MLB history, and have numerous Hall of Fame players.
    The New York Yankees is a Major League Baseball team based in the Bronx, New York. They are known for their rich history, success, and popularity, which has earned them the reputation of being one of the most overrated baseball teams.
    • Established: 1901
    • Total World Series Championships: 27
    • Total American League Pennants: 40
    • Total playoff appearances: 56
    • Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award winners: 23
    New York Yankees in other rankings
  3. 2
    45
    votes
    Real Madrid
    Daniel from Calgary, Canada · CC BY 2.0

    Real Madrid

    Juan Padrós and Carlos Padrós
    The most successful football club in European history, with 13 UEFA Champions League titles and 34 La Liga titles.
    Real Madrid is one of the most beloved and successful football clubs in the world. Founded in 1902, it is based in Madrid, Spain. The team has a rich history and is known for its attacking style of play and iconic white home kits. Real Madrid has a large and passionate fan base, with supporters from all around the globe. The club has achieved numerous domestic and international titles, cementing its status as one of the greatest football teams in history.
    • Record Goal Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
    • Foundation Year: 1902
    • Location: Madrid, Spain
    • Home Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
    • Team Colors: White
    Real Madrid in other rankings
  4. 3
    24
    votes

    Boston Celtics

    Walter A. Brown
    The Celtics have won 17 NBA championships, more than any other team except the Lakers, and have had some of the greatest players in NBA history.
    The Boston Celtics is a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are one of the most successful and storied franchises in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
    • Founded: 1946
    • Colors: Green, white
    • Home Arena: TD Garden
    • Championships: 17
    • Conference Titles: 21
    Boston Celtics in other rankings
  5. 4
    27
    votes

    Montreal Canadiens

    J. Ambrose O'Brien
    The Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cup championships, more than any other NHL team, and have a rich history of legendary players.
    The Montreal Canadiens is a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are one of the most successful and iconic franchises in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL).
    • Established: 1909
    • Stanley Cup Championships: 24
    • Conference Championships: 8
    • Division Championships: 22
    • Retired Jersey Numbers: 15
    Montreal Canadiens in other rankings
  6. 5
    9
    votes

    New England Patriots

    William H. Sullivan Jr.
    The Patriots have won six Super Bowl championships, tied for the most in NFL history, and have been a dominant team in the 21st century.
    The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. They are a member of the National Football League's (NFL) American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team was founded in 1959 as the Boston Patriots and changed its name to the New England Patriots in 1971.
    • Team Location: Greater Boston area
    • Conference: AFC
    • Division: AFC East
    • Founded: 1959
    • Team Name (Original): Boston Patriots
    New England Patriots in other rankings
  7. 6
    5
    votes
    Chicago Bulls
    Tony · CC BY-SA 2.0

    Chicago Bulls

    Dick Klein
    The Bulls won six NBA championships in the 1990s with Michael Jordan, widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time.
    The Chicago Bulls is a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are a member of the Central Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was created in 1966 and has since become one of the most iconic and successful franchises in NBA history.
    • Head coach: Billy Donovan
    • Colors: Red, black, and white
    • Home stadium: United Center
    • Championships: 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
    • Retired jerseys: 9 (including Michael Jordan's #23 and Scottie Pippen's #33)
    Chicago Bulls in other rankings
  8. 7
    19
    votes

    Los Angeles Lakers

    Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen
    The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships, tied with the Celtics for the most in NBA history, and have had some of the greatest players in NBA history.
    The Los Angeles Lakers is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They are one of the most successful and popular teams in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
    • Founded: 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • Home Arena: Staples Center
    • Team Colors: Purple and Gold
    • Championships: 17 NBA Championships
    • Conference Titles: 32 Western Conference Titles
    Los Angeles Lakers in other rankings
  9. 8
    7
    votes

    Pittsburgh Steelers

    Arthur J. Rooney
    The Steelers have won six Super Bowl championships and have a long history of success, with a loyal fan base known as the "Steeler Nation".
    The Pittsburgh Steelers is a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, known for their strong fan base, iconic black and gold uniforms, and a history of winning championships.
    • Founding Year: 1933
    • Home Stadium: Heinz Field
    • Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
    • Team Owner: Art Rooney II
    • Super Bowl Championships: 6
    Pittsburgh Steelers in other rankings
  10. 9
    9
    votes
    FC Barcelona
    Enric · CC BY-SA 4.0

    FC Barcelona

    Joan Gamper
    One of the most successful football clubs in the world, with 26 La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions League titles.
    FC Barcelona is a professional football club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is one of the most successful and beloved football teams in the world, known for its attractive, possession-based playing style and its commitment to promoting the values of Catalan culture and identity.
    • Founded: 1899
    • Home Stadium: Camp Nou
    • Motto: Més que un club (More than a club)
    • Colors: Blaugrana (Blue and Garnet)
    • Total Domestic League Titles: 26
    FC Barcelona in other rankings
  11. 10
    9
    votes
    New York Giants
    User Omnibus, retouched by Uris on en.wikipedia · BSD

    New York Giants

    Tim Mara
    The Giants have won four Super Bowl championships, including two in the past decade, and have a strong history of success dating back to the 1950s.
    The New York Giants are a professional football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. They are a member of the National Football League (NFL) and play in the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team was established in 1925 and is one of the oldest and most successful franchises in the NFL.
    • Team Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
    • Established: 1925
    • Division: National Football Conference (NFC) East
    • Stadium: MetLife Stadium
    • Head Coach: Joe Judge
    New York Giants in other rankings

Missing your favorite sports franchise?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for successful sports franchise

  1. Number of championships won
    A franchise's success is often measured by the number of championships it has won over time.
  2. Consistency of performance
    The ability of a franchise to maintain a high level of performance over a long period of time is also an important factor.
  3. Fan support
    Fan support is a critical factor in the success of a franchise. A loyal fanbase indicates that a franchise is doing something right and is valued by its community.
  4. Financial value
    The financial value of a franchise is an important measure of its success. This includes the franchise's revenue, profitability, and overall market value.
  5. Player and team development
    A franchise's ability to develop and cultivate top talent is also a key factor. Successful franchises often have a well-established player and team development program that enables them to continually compete at a high level.
  6. Overall impact on the sport
    The impact a franchise has on the sport as a whole, be it through innovations, legendary players, or overall achievements, can also be a factor.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful sports franchise. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Team is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3368 views
  • 193 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Team once every 24 hours. The rank of each Team is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful sports franchise

Sports franchises have been around for more than a century and have become a significant part of popular culture. These franchises are not just about the games, but also about the teams that represent them. The most successful sports franchises are those that have won numerous championships, have a loyal fan base, and are financially stable. When it comes to determining the most successful sports franchise, there are various factors to consider. Some may look at the number of championships they have won, while others may consider their overall win-loss record or their financial success. There are also those who may value a franchise's cultural impact, such as their influence on the sport or their community involvement. Regardless of the criteria used, there are several sports franchises that are consistently mentioned as the most successful. Whether it's the New York Yankees in baseball, the Los Angeles Lakers in basketball, or Manchester United in soccer, these franchises have a storied history of success both on and off the field. Ultimately, the most successful sports franchise is subjective and can vary depending on who you ask. However, one thing is for sure, these franchises have left an indelible mark on the sports world and continue to inspire future generations of athletes and fans alike.

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