Top U.S. Cities with Desperate Sports Fanbases

After the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals, the franchise punched their ticket to a return to the NBA Finals. Last season, Cleveland fell in six games to the Golden State Warriors, extending the city’s championship drought to forty-one consecutive years. Led by LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love, the Cavs are confident and determined to snap that futile streak. Since 1964, no Cleveland pro sports team, the Browns in the NFL, the Indians in MLB, and the Cavaliers in the NBA, have won a championship. The fans in that city have sat through agonizing and painful losses in championship moments. But Cleveland isn’t the only top U.S. City with a desperate professional sports fanbase longing for a title. Here are my top two choices of U.S. cities with pro teams seeking a title.

Chicago

The city of Chicago has gone through a lot. Die-hard, passionate fans of the Cubs have been part of a 108-year World Series championship drought, or curse. This year, manager Joe Maddon and his players are confident and hopeful that this drought will end. With young talent and veteran presence in the clubhouse, there is no reason why Chicago can get to and win the World Series. The city’s pro hockey team, the Blackhawks, have not disappointed the fans, winning the Stanley Cup in three of the past seven seasons. But enough is enough. The time is now for the Cubs to take control of their own destiny.

Buffalo

The city of Buffalo, New York has not seen a team in the postseason, competing for a championship, in a long time. The Bills haven’t reached the playoffs since 1999, and they have since had heartbreaking finishes to their season, most recently, in the 2014-15 NFL season, when they had a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win in Oakland, but couldn’t close the deal. Rex Ryan, the head coach, couldn’t change things in his first season with the Bills. As for the Sabres in the NHL, they have had rough times, finishing close to last in their conference the last few years. The team does have young talent, with Jack Eichel, the No.2 overall draft pick, leading the scoring. Yet, unless the team adds more talent and veteran leadership, it will not make the playoffs nor compete for a title.

There are many other sports towns and cities with fans who are hungry for a championship. These people come out every night to support and cheer on their players and teams, regardless of their overall record of wins and losses. That is what makes watching sports so special. No matter what expectations a pro sports team may have, it is comforting to know that the club has the support of the fans.