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Atlanta the worst sports city in the US


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No way. Portland is 10 times worse than Atlanta.

 

Portland has one stinkin' pro team. And at least they supported the Blazers big-time before they loaded the roster with felons.

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And here we all thought it was Philly...but they only came in third :D

 

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Completely unenthused fans, perennially bad NBA and NHL teams, a dearth of team championships and the misuse of the most electrifying player in football has led experts to name Atlanta the Worst Sports City in America, Sportsbook.com's first annual search for best of the worst. This inaugural list, compiled by an expert panel of writers, bloggers and sports know-it-alls, is sponsored by Sportsbook.com, the largest online casino and sportsbook on the planet.

 

"Despite their 14 straight division championships, the Braves couldn't sell out playoff games," explained David Barkoe, Sportsbook.com spokesperson. "The Falcons cannot for the life of them figure out how to successfully use Michael Vick to win games and there's not much to say about the performance of the Hawks and Thrashers. Atlanta's sports scene is in shambles and their fans should be overjoyed that, according to our experts, they've finally won a championship--Worst Sports City in America."

 

The continued absence of an NFL team and the general malaise of most fans landed Los Angeles in second place. Philadelphia's ferocious fan base, combined with its longstanding championship drought, puts the City of Brotherly Love in third. College hockey-loving Minneapolis/St. Paul drops in at fourth, while Houston rounds out the top five.

 

For these rankings, Sportsbook.com's panel analyzed the following criteria in determining, without a doubt, the Worst Sports Cities in America:

 

- Recent on-court/on-field successes

- Passion and/or intelligence of fan base

- Condition and appeal of local stadiums and arenas

- TV, print and radio media landscape

- Hurtful and inaccurate stereotypes

 

Eligible cities competing for the title of Worst Sports City have at least one professional franchise (NFL, MLB, NHL or NBA) In addition to polling their experts, Sportsbook.com asked their members to cast their vote for the Worst Sports City in America. The people spoke and they say Los Angeles is the Worst Sports City in America. 16% of respondents at Sportsbook.com said the City of Angels was the worst, followed by Philadelphia at 15%, Atlanta at 12%, Minneapolis at 5% and New York City at 4%.

 

"In our online voting L.A.'s lack of an NFL team was the number one reason our members said the City of Angels is the Worst," continued Barkoe. "But that's the beauty of sports. Our experts pick Atlanta and our members pick Los Angeles -- the arguments and debates can go on forever."

 

Finally, when questioned as to why Sportsbook.com would sponsor an annual Worst Sports City award in the first place, Barkoe responded, "There are plenty of lists about which city is the 'best sports city' but we never saw anyone go the other way. We know about Philly's depressed and dejected fan base. We laugh at Los Angeles, our second largest city, which lacks an NFL team to root for on Sunday. Our experts analyzed all these factors and came up with a list that epitomizes the culture of sports the way it is truly experienced across the US."

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Here's the link to the article...

 

Worst Sports Cities

 

There is a link in the article itself down at the bottom to the sportsbook.com/worst...but it's just the page for voting that closed on Oct. 31st...but it does tell you what other cities were considered for the top 5.

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If it wasn't for Lebron James single-handedly turning the Cavs around, I would say Cleveland should top the list ... they have been finding ways to have sucky teams for many, many years now in multiple different sports. :D

 

 

Um, didn't the Indians set the record for most consecutive sellouts in MLB history about five years ago? And as much as the Browns suck, their fans are on par with Bears, Steelers, and Packers fans in terms of dedication.

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I'm kinda surprised that Dallas & New York were in consideration. :bash:

 

Relieved that New Orleans wasn't. :D

 

No I shouldn't say it... ok, I will....

 

You shouldn't be surprsied that Dallas is included. You do know that's where a lot of Cowboys fans live, right? :D

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Um, didn't the Indians set the record for most consecutive sellouts in MLB history about five years ago? And as much as the Browns suck, their fans are on par with Bears, Steelers, and Packers fans in terms of dedication.

 

Meh .... just because lots of people are stupid enough to go watch crappy teams play shouldn't completely eliminate from the running.

 

As far as the Indians go ... the new stadium and taking a trip to the Series didn't hurt with building that consecutive sellout record, but they did manage to lose the Series to the Atlanta Braves. Which considering that Atlanta made it to the Series 5 times in the 90's and only won once doesn't bode to well for the Indians, IMO.

 

I didn't read the whole link to the article so if it is talking about the fan support, then yes, Cleveland probably isn't near the top of the list. However, if you are merely talking about the sports teams themselves and their performances, then I say they are at the top.

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I'm kinda surprised that Dallas & New York were in consideration. :D

 

Relieved that New Orleans wasn't. :D

 

 

 

Post Katrina- Can't see New Orleans being able to keep the NBA Hornets much longer and the Saints are yet to sign a new Superdome contract that expires in 2010 so they might be gone as well in a few years.

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i'm surprised Miami didn't receive more consideration.

 

having lived in SoFlo for many years and attended games from all 4 of the major pro sport teams it's hard to believe any city/region is more disinterested in its teams.

 

-Jets and Bills fans (Phins archrivals) consistently approach Phins fan attendance. Basically if the visiting team was east of the Mississippi, you can expect a much larger than average visiting fan base.

-yeah Marlins won a few championships but the stands are virtually empty at all times... win or lose.

-Heat just brought home a championship but you'd think everyone was there attending an insurance seminar.

-and the Panthers... it's hockey. in South Florida. :D

 

at least cities like Atlanta have a reason to be disinterested... the pro teams haven't done squat in forever. yeah the Braves were winners for many years but they couldn't keep anyone's attention after they were consistently inconsistent when it mattered most.

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Meh .... just because lots of people are stupid enough to go watch crappy teams play shouldn't completely eliminate from the running.

 

As far as the Indians go ... the new stadium and taking a trip to the Series didn't hurt with building that consecutive sellout record, but they did manage to lose the Series to the Atlanta Braves.

 

A new stadium and some playoff success (but no rings) doesn't guarantee SEVEN straight years of sellouts. That was completely unprecedented. The dynasty-years Yankees couldn't even do that, despite playing in a market over 20 times the size.

 

Which considering that Atlanta made it to the Series 5 times in the 90's and only won once doesn't bode to well for the Indians, IMO.

 

Funny how Atanta's five pennants and WS title didn't translate into seven straight years of sellouts. Given that their teams in the '90s were better than Cleveland's, they should've had even more success at the ticket gate. I suppose that nobody wanted to watch two future HOF pitchers in their primes. :D No wonder Atlanta's at the top of the list.

 

However, if you are merely talking about the sports teams themselves and their performances, then I say they are at the top.

 

Fan support is a huge part of it. While Cleveland's teams may suck, their fans are among the best.

Edited by Bill Swerski
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i'm surprised Miami didn't receive more consideration.

 

having lived in SoFlo for many years and attended games from all 4 of the major pro sport teams it's hard to believe any city/region is more disinterested in its teams.

 

-Jets and Bills fans (Phins archrivals) consistently approach Phins fan attendance. Basically if the visiting team was east of the Mississippi, you can expect a much larger than average visiting fan base.

-yeah Marlins won a few championships but the stands are virtually empty at all times... win or lose.

-Heat just brought home a championship but you'd think everyone was there attending an insurance seminar.

-and the Panthers... it's hockey. in South Florida. :D

 

at least cities like Atlanta have a reason to be disinterested... the pro teams haven't done squat in forever. yeah the Braves were winners for many years but they couldn't keep anyone's attention after they were consistently inconsistent when it mattered most.

 

Completely agree. I have no idea why Miami teams stay there - they'd get better attendance in Godforsaken, Idaho.

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I lived in Atlanta for 13 years and I agree 1000% with this article. Most people I met from other cities agreed that Atlanta was a terrible sports town. Part of the problem is that there are so many transplants from other areas of the country who still root for their old teams. In fact, there are sports bars all over the metro area where people flock to watch their teams -- Jets, Eagles, Cowboys, Steelers, just about all the major market teams have their own bar.

 

There is a core of die hard Braves fans -- mostly native Georgians -- but not enough to fill Turner field for a playoff game. Pathetic. And at every game there is a great number of 20- or 30- somethings who arrive late, hang out in the bar in left field and barely watch the game. It's considered a hip thing to do on a Friday night. People put on their Braves gear, get drunk, do the Tomahawk Chop when prompted, and try to hook up.

 

But the Falcons fans are even worse. In the early 90's when they sucked, all the home games were blacked out on local TV because there would be 10 or 20,000 empty seats. Then they made it to the Super Bowl and everyone was a huge Falcons fan. Then Vick arrived and it really became a joke. Picture a dome full of drunken idiots who don't understand what first and 10 means, and just want to see the QB run for a TD. And speaking of the dome, I'm probably in the minority on this, but I hated that venue in general. Very bland, antiseptic feeling, and bad acoustics. Butt ugly from the outside too. An eyesore in my opinion. I know they built it to attract Super Bowls, but their climate is perfect for outdoor football. They should have made it a retractable roof or maybe put greed aside and built something aesthetically better for the area -- an old-school outdoor football stadium. But I know that's a naive thing to wish for.

 

The Thrashers have the most passionate and knowledgable fans. I'm not a hockey fan at all but my best sports experiences were at Thrashers games. Not a bad seat in the house, lots of good promotions and just an electrifying experience overall. After every goal by the home team, they lower a huge Thrasher head from the ceiling that spits fire and you can feel the heat in the stands. Too cool.

 

As for the Hawks, you would never even know there was an NBA team in the city. And Atlanta has a large urban community, you would expect to see more support. It was nonexistent. I heard stories about them handing out tickets to people on the street just to fill the lower seats for TV purposes. Not sure if that's true or not but that is how little support they have. Maybe 5 or 6,000 fans on a weeknight.

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I lived in Atlanta for 13 years and I agree 1000% with this article. Most people I met from other cities agreed that Atlanta was a terrible sports town. Part MOST of the problem is that there are so many transplants from other areas of the country who still root for their old teams. In fact, there are sports bars all over the metro area where people flock to watch their teams -- Jets, Eagles, Cowboys, Steelers, just about all the major market teams have their own bar.

 

There is a core of die hard Braves fans -- mostly native Georgians -- but not enough to fill Turner field for a playoff game. Pathetic. And at every game there is a great number of 20- or 30- somethings who arrive late, hang out in the bar in left field and barely watch the game. It's considered a hip thing to do on a Friday night. People put on their Braves gear, get drunk, do the Tomahawk Chop when prompted, and try to hook up.

 

But the Falcons fans are even worse. In the early 90's when they sucked, all the home games were blacked out on local TV because there would be 10 or 20,000 empty seats. Then they made it to the Super Bowl and everyone was a huge Falcons fan. Then Vick arrived and it really became a joke. Picture a dome full of drunken idiots who don't{they know} understand what first and 10 means, and just want to see the QB{they just want a} run for a TD period. And speaking of the dome, I'm probably in the minority on this, but I hated that venue in general. Very bland, antiseptic feeling, and bad acoustics. Butt ugly from the outside too. An eyesore in my opinion. I know they built it to attract Super Bowls, but their climate is perfect for outdoor football. They should have made it a retractable roof or maybe put greed aside and built something aesthetically better for the area -- an old-school outdoor football stadium. But I know that's a naive thing to wish for.

 

The Thrashers have the most passionate and knowledgable fans. I'm not a hockey fan at all but my best sports experiences were at Thrashers games. Not a bad seat in the house, lots of good promotions and just an electrifying experience overall. After every goal by the home team, they lower a huge Thrasher head from the ceiling that spits fire and you can feel the heat in the stands. Too cool.

 

As for the Hawks, you would never even know there was an NBA team in the city. And Atlanta has a large urban community, you would expect to see more support. It was nonexistent. I heard stories about them handing out tickets to people on the street just to fill the lower seats for TV purposes. Not sure if that's true or not but that is how little support they have. Maybe 5 or 6,000 fans on a weeknight.

 

 

I lived in Atlanta for most of my life.....and I agree mostly with what is stated above. Atlanta is a city that is continually growing, and more and more transplants come in with their own teams they follow. Those old northern cities such as Cleveland, Pittsburgh, etc....are just not as successful as Atlanta (not talking sports). Therefore have a lower-class, blue collar following that has been behind their team for years, perhaps generations......

Edited by millerx
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I lived in Atlanta for most of my life.....and I agree mostly with what is stated above. Atlanta is a city that is continually growing, and more and more transplants come in with their own teams they follow. Those old northern cities such as Cleveland, Pittsburgh, etc....are just not as successful as Atlanta (not talking sports). Therefore have a lower-class, blue collar following that has been behind their team for years, perhaps generations......

 

 

Not sure when these people moved to Atlanta but I can remember the days of watching the Braves on TBS when they might have 700 people at the games. Would tell any of my friends going to Atlanta to catch a Braves game and to be sure to sit behind home plate so we could watch them the whole game. Those were the days before cell phones so they would make posters saying hey to all of us back at the local pub. Actually that was a fairly decent Braves team back then despite their record with probably 4 guys with 30 to 40 HR's each and of course Phil Niekro. Most of the time you would pay $5 to $6 to get in the game, but you could sit anywhere.

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